I Get in These Conversations and I Officially Don't Understand Them

I was on the air, talking about how hard it is for people, it seems, to find places to get married.  It's expensive to use church buildings these days -- even for people who've been "members" for years. 

------------

Caller:  Well, I'm on staff at our church, and there's a good reason we charge $500 for people to use the building for a wedding.

Me:  That's what the church charges members who've actually paid for the building over the years?

Caller:  Yes.  It's really expensive to run the power and clean up and everything.  

Me:  Of course it is.  So if the pastor wants to have a "Let's Celebrate Our Grads!" night in the sanctuary, do you have to pay $500?

Caller:  Well, no, because that would be an official church function.

Me:  Okay, I'm just curious:  Joining members of your church in holy matrimony in front of witnesses and God isn't an official thing?

Caller:  No, that's an extra thing.

-----------------

Next caller:  I draw up the wedding policy at our church.  I thought I'd call.  I'd be happy to answer any questions.

Me:  Okay...I was just wondering -- I mean, it came up:  Do you charge your own people to use the building for a wedding?

Caller:  Yes.  You need to understand, it costs a LOT to run the power, the lights, the maintenance of a building.  It's very expensive.

Me:   Yeah, I'm sure that's true.  So, like, if your youth pastor schedules an event in there, like a lock-in or something, does he pay for it...?

Caller:  No.  (laughing)

Me:  Okay...help me understand...

Caller:  Youth ministry is part of the church.

Me:  Okay.  That's cool.  But a wedding ceremony isn't?  Even if the people are members for years, and helped pay for the building, and the pastor's been there two months...?

Caller:  It's because it's youth ministry.

Me:   You know, that's cool, but I'm not even sure that youth ministry is mentioned in the Bible.  And weddings have a --

Caller:  Yeah, but it's an extra thing.  People have to pay for that.

----------------

Next caller:  I can speak for our church.  If we DIDN'T charge, we'd have people lined up, wanting to use the place every Saturday for years.

Me:  But if they're people who are members, and paid for the building, and it's theirs, too, shouldn't it be free and celebrated and --

Caller:  It would be too crazy if you just let people do that.

Me:  But if they paid for it to start with --

Caller:  You have to charge a fee to discourage people from using it.

----------------

Next caller:  I'm in charge of our sound and lights ministry, and it's a big church, and it's a big hassle to have to go in there and do a wedding.

Me:  Sure, I understand.  If they don't want sound, though, could they just schedule --

Caller:  I don't think so.  It wouldn't be an official church event.

Me:  I don't entirely get that.

Caller:  It's for official church stuff.

Me:  But they're part of the official church...?

Caller:  Yes.

Me:  But their stuff isn't official church stuff.

Caller:  Yes, that's correct.

Me:  Okay!  Thanks.

Caller:  No problem.

Me:  Okee-doke.  Here's a song from Jeremy Camp...