Religion is the new rock ‘n’ roll in one Nottingham church – which has its own stage, band, and a licensed bar.<\/p>\n
Eight hundred worshippers turned up at the inaugural service of the Trent Vineyard Church. <\/p>\n
They helped celebrate its move to the \ufffd2.25m Blue Warehouse on Easter Park, Lenton Lane, and anyone expecting draughty spires and uncomfortable pews was in for a surprise.<\/p>\n
Worshippers entering the building are met by the sight of a stage, complete with electric guitars and drum kits ready for the next service, a fully licensed bar, leather couches and halogen lighting.<\/p>\n
It is one of 70 parishes of the UK Vineyard Church Movement, an evangelical Christian church, which has attracted unusually large congregations.<\/p>\n
The Pastor, John Wright, 43, of West Bridgford, does not wear the familiar robes and dog collar of the Church of England, but instead sports jeans and trainers.<\/p>\n
He said: “The church in this country is massively not attracting people in their 20s and 30s and we are very keen to change that.<\/p>\n
“Our aim is to remove as many barriers as we can for people – from babies to old folk – and to make the church culturally relevant to them.”<\/p>\n