My Experience tells me something may be wrong 3

[OHIOMatt]

While getting ready to attend Christmas Eve church service, I brought up the subject of seating choice with my wife. It was not so that we could see or hear better. We attend a church that is fairly old (by American standards). Usually the Christmas Eve service is the most heavily attended of the year, with standing room only. Every square foot of the church has the potential to be occupied.

I have designed retro fit solutions for similar churchs in the past. In these past projects, severe member deterioration was noted during routine eletrical work, AV work, etc. In many of the these cases, the floor systems and roof systems are very near collapse.


So, my issue is this: I directed my wife to select a location that I felt was least likely to experience a failure. Now, I have no knowledge of any structural issues with the church, just past experience with similarly designed structures. Am I being a cautios father and husband, or am I doing something enethical? Since I have this concern, should I volunteer to examine the structure? If I find something, then what?

 

[bridgebuster]

debodine - Reminds me of a story (heard in church.)

A man went to swim in the ocean. Although he was good swimmer, the tide was a bit a strong that day. Nevertheless, he said, “I have faith, the Lord will protect me.” Shortly, he found himself pulled far from shore and unable to swim back. A row boat came along and someone in the boat said “get in brother before your drown.”
The man replied, “I have faith, the Lord will protect me”. The rowboat left and the man continued to be pulled out to sea. After a while a speed boat came along and someone said “get in brother before your drown.”
The man replied, “I have faith, the Lord will protect me”. The speed boat left and the man continued to drift. Eventually, a Coast Guard helicopter came along and someone said “get in brother before your drown.” The man replied, “I have faith, the Lord will protect me”. The helicopter left and the man drowned.

When he got to the Pearly Gates he was heartbroken. He said, “Lord, I had faith in you why did you let me drown?.”

The Lord replied, “I sent you two boats and a helicopter.”

 

[moltenmetal]

A favourite of mine is similar in meaning, but simpler: trust in God, but row away from the rocks.

Never found myself at all close to God in a church, though.

 

[debodine]

bridgebuster and moltenmetal, both are tales I intend to share with my friends. Thanks!

Fortunately, where I worship we do not see the issue faced by the OP for two specific reasons: First, the structure is only 20 years old so the design is not outdated, and second the town's assistant fire marshal teaches my Sunday School class. He does not hestitate to remind the leaders of the code limits or to immediately force compliance if someone is outside the bounds. He does so gently and humbly, but with no tolerance for non-compliance. It works well for us.

 

[bridgebuster]

Never found myself at all close to God in a church, though." - Neither did Mother Teresa. St. Ignatius of Loyala said sometimes not feeling close is a sign of closeness. There's a lot of paradox in scripture/theology/spirituality.

 

[patprimmer]

I saw a line in an old black and white movie of around the Snozzles Durante vintage where a boxer was sitting in the corner about to enter ring for a fight.

While preparing he asked his trainer "would it help to pray"

The trainer replied "only if you can fight".

Of course one must wonder why someone might think an all powerful, kind, peace loving and benevolent god would intervene in something so violent and crass as a prize fight. Of course one really wonders why this same god would intervene in a war other than to strike down ALL those responsible.

Regards
Pat
See FAQ731-376 for tips on use of eng-tips by professional engineers &

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm

for site rules

 

[bridgebuster]

Pat - the question of good and evil is the greatest paradox

 

[controlsdude]

People are not evil at first they just choose to be that way over time with the many choices that make them evil at the end.

If the church you think is going to fall apart, and there is a God, then there is probably a bunch of angels holding the floor up till some engineer guy like you goes investigate that maybe it needs fixing. I think that small voice was God telling you do your part, because the angels only show up so many times on Christmas eve to hold up the floor up before it collaspes, since God told that engineer guy to go get it inspected. The question really is will you listen to that small voice?

 

[moon161]

Begs so many questions. What is the safe working load of an angel? Do duty cycles, rest periods or meal & break schedules apply? Is special signage or certification involved? What if the structure is deconsecrated and used as a brewpub or concert hall? Can the new owner contract with them or contribute to the diocese for their maintenance?