What Does a Church in Thailand Look Like?
Just like in America, churches are different in Thailand depending where you are and the type of congregation.
There are house churches, which is often how those in a village gather for corporate worship.
There are large buildings that may have multiple rooms in it for prayer, Bible study, and a kids' program. These churches remind us more of an American church, though often 2 or 3 stories high with a room on each level.
Some churches are a single building or maybe just an outdoor pavilion.
Pope attended a church in Chiang Mai that met in the conference room of a hotel. When Pope's family farmed outside of their village, church was held on a mat outside.
A favorite sight of mine that is found outside almost every Thai church is the pile of shoes outside the door. In Thai culture, we take our shoes off before entering a home. We do not remove our shoes before going into the mall, grocery store, or hospital; nor most businesses would we be required to remove our shoes. Church is one place you almost always take your shoes off to enter into (with some exceptions). This view brings joy to my heart as it shows that inside is a room full of people gathered as a family - not just any family, but the family of Christ.
Thailand changed my view of church. Attending church in Thailand helped me to value the Body of Christ more than the building and programs a church has. It helped me understand we truly are a family and need one another more than we need a great sound system, full worship band, or large kids program. I learned to value and cherish the fellowship of other believers because, in a nation of only 1% Christians, the church truly is your family and a place of life and encouragement that is hard to find anywhere else.
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