1.   Even churches have hired market consultants, and now the surging congregations out West gather in huge warehouse temples selling spirituality the way Home Depot moves precut lumber.

2.   For devout film lovers, the reasons people congregate to darkened theaters are not all that different from the reasons congregations gather to hear a moving sermon.

3.   Secure under its arches, a small congregation gathers to hear short readings about the Virgin Mary, interspersed with carols by the fine small choir.

4.   The congregation now must gather for Sunday service in the Seventh-day Adventist Church on the other side of town.

5.   Torn pieces of tin, iron rods, wood, cooking utensils, shoes and water pots littered the muddy field where the congregation had gathered.