It isn’t easy to pinpoint where Starbucks and Guitar Hero fall into teens’ relationship with God, but they seem to be bringing in the crowds. The stereotypical sight of a church has changed from bible study, music and fellowship, to video game systems, coffee, concerts and cafes.

    With kids no longer attending church and youth groups as often as previous generations, churches can’t just promise ping-pong and dinner with hope of large numbers of attendants.

     So they’ve adapted to get kids to step into church doors, creating a place that offers more than a relationship with God. Instead they are beckoned by computers,  Xbox 360s, dozens of other game systems or plugged into iPods.  

    Naturally these churches have attempted to evolve with the times and technology, some becoming a bit more extravagant than others. But has this new entertainment clouded over the purpose for being at church? 

    “I think people go to church on a social level, they don’t necessarily focus on God,” sophomore Ashley Sivils said. 

   James River Assembly, in Ozark, is the second largest Assemblies of God church in the country. Walking into the separate building at James River created specifically for youth, all members are required to scan their personal key card to enter the door. 

   When inside they can play on the brand new basketball court, enjoy Nintendo Wii or air hockey in the game room, buy coffee and other Starbucks products in one of three cafes—and last but not least, worship God with their friends. 

   “It would be a lot different without that kind of stuff,” junior Erica Torgeson said. “It just draws more people in.”

     Keeping a more moderate and traditional vibe, Jefferson Baptist, 316 E. Sunshine St., has all donated amenities. “I really think money should be used to make students involved, not for big frills,” said Gary Miller, Youth Director at Jefferson Baptist and President of Springfield Youth.   

    “Respectfully, I would say teens and adults have ulterior motives for coming to church.” 

    While some people might fear it’s more difficult to stay focused on God in church when there are cafes and bookstores in the halls, others disagree. 

   “As long as they aren’t being utilized as the main focus and are being used as tools to share Christ… they are blessed to have those things,” said Miller. 

    Although most  traditionalists would deem those things unnecessary, others believe it makes a positive difference. 

    They characterize the generation as one of excess: louder the music, the better the song. The bigger the crowd, the better the energy. 

    Although churches don’t seem like the place to have a modern comfortable feel, it’s welcomed and inspiring for many members.

   “All the people make it so alive,” Torgeson said. “It draws everyone in and makes them come together.” 

   Some say the entertainment and games’ attraction eventually fade and become just another activity to members like Torgeson. 

    “It used to be a huge thing (all the activities) but everyone is mature about it,” he said. “I don’t ever really use (most of the games and computers).”

    Comfortable lobbies and coffee abound, but motives for going to church vary from person to person, with maturity and seriousness making a difference.

    To survive and thrive, churches will likely continue to add on in size and in members. This sometimes creates a little friction between generations, as some teens said they feel as though they catch disapproval from more traditional church-goers.

   “A lot of them have a true relationship with God,” Torgeson said. “And they use what they learn to grow every time.”