Dallas church adapts as gas prices rise DALLAS — The trickle effect of soaring gas prices is starting to have an impact on North Texas churches. Some church members are staying home, and for those who worship twice a day, that means double the cost. In response, Mountainview Church of Christ is changing the way it operates to keep members coming back. Worshippers meet during the morning and evening on Sundays. For the majority of the congregation who live an average of 20 miles away, the trip is becoming less and less affordable. Curtis Hoyle, a member of the church, said he is among those who have had to make changes due to high gas prices.
"I put $10 in my car so I can make it for the morning," he said. "I usually don't make it back for night service. I'm a college student. I don't have that money for gas."
Pastor J.K. Hamilton said that's not good for his church, which has led him to add new times for worship so that members don't have to leave and come back. He is also encouraging members to find other ways to cut down on gas costs. "Ride home together and share the load, the petroleum load," he said. Pastor Hamilton said he knows the added times are a must to keep his church family intact. "[It's] painful on the pocket, but conducive to worship and getting people to be creative and finding creative ways to overcome the gas crisis," Pastor Hamilton said. Another big push for the change is due to the large number of senior citizens who attend the church and live on fixed incomes. E-mail
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