A recent article in The Boston Globe featured the current stalemate between the Greater Bowdoin-Geneva Neighborhood Association and the The Bibleway Christian Center over the relocation of a congregation. Pastor Willie James wants to bring the Bibleway Christian Center to an area where the neighborhood association would like to see a small business such as a bakery or a bank, or even a community center.

Sociologist Omar McRoberts weighs in…

“Associate sociology professor McRoberts argues that the neighborhoods and the religious groups need to avoid vilifying each other. Communities should recognize that churches can contribute to the civic needs of the neighborhood. And pastors, he said, should work to make their churches community institutions, not just places of worship a few hours a week.

“It’s not that churches have to be at odds with the goals of development,” McRoberts said, adding that he often heard Four Corners residents say they wanted more places to eat nearby.

“What better incentive for a family restaurant than the fact that every Sunday hundreds of people descend on your neighborhood to go to church?”” –Boston Globe