1. Who are the people starting the Praise and Worship Center?
The Center is being founded by a small group of people who are searching for something to supplement their own spiritual journeys. Each person is searching for something personally meaningful to him or her: a sense of community, great music, moving preaching, more joy, a sense of unconditional welcome, more scriptural insights. This group of people will create the initial funding for the Center; eventually it will be funded through the tithing of those who choose to participate. The core group is forming a non-profit corporation and has applied for 501c3 status.
2. Is the establishing of the Praise and Worship Center anti-Catholic,
or are the efforts of the core group an attempt to get Catholics to leave
the church?
Membership in any church is up to each individual. There is no intent to do anything to encourage anyone either to join or leave any particular church or denomination. People of all Christian followings will be joining the activities of the Praise and Worship Center, and all will be welcomed.
3. What is a Praise and Worship Center?
It is not a "new religion," but is a gathering of people of diverse religious
backgrounds and experience as a community for the purpose of praising God
in prayer and in service. There will be Sunday services, and eventually
services and ministries during the week. The center is Christian in its
orientation, but is neither Catholic nor Protestant. It is truly ecumenical
and multi-denominational.
4. Will non-Catholics come to this and feel at home or will there be
strong Catholic influence?
Because the Praise and Worship Center is not affiliated with any specific
denomination, there are no doctrinal guidelines or mandated acceptance of
proscribed theology required for membership. There will be a spirit of listening
to each others' opinions and an atmosphere of learning and growing from
sharing experiences and insights. Unconditional love, acceptance of each
person in a non-judgmental way, the centrality of Christ's message of love
and forgiveness, and the teachings of the gospel will be the sources of
the message of the Center. Moral and family decisions will be left up to
the spiritual discernment of each individual member.
5. Because of Rev. Dale's legal situation, will children under 18 be
able to attend?
Rev. Dale has carefully adhered to the current requirement of the Justice
Court of having no contact with individuals less than 18 years of age. The
justice of the peace has allowed him to attend church and to visit other
public places where children may be present.
"Every good Christian ought to be more eager to put a good interpretation on
a neighbor's statement than to condemn it; but that is not enough. One should
search out every appropriate means through which, by understanding the statement
in a good way, the opinion and relationship, may be saved."
(from the beginning of the Spiritual Exercises)
Mailing Address:
The Praise and Worship Center
3029 N. Alma School Road
Suite 107-14
Chandler, AZ 85224
Please send all correspondence and contributions to the above address.
Office Hours:
Mon-Thurs 9:00am - Noon
Phone: 480-258-6930