The church of God is found in its people, not in a building.
That's the philosophy of the Rev. James Schaedler Jr., pastor of Metro Fellowship church. He preaches from a pulpit in a warehouse just west of 4500 South at the end of Century Drive, amid Murray's industrial section.There is nothing pretentious about this church.
Fellowship members do not depend upon grand surroundings to inspire spiritual thoughts and joyful worship, said the Rev. Schaedler. Volunteers from his 400-member congregation are turning the warehouse into a simple and beautiful house of God where people from every denomination are welcome.
The Metro Fellowship recently moved into its new location because the growing congregation outgrew its former home in a renovated synagogue in downtown Salt Lake City. The warehouse has 30,000 square feet - enough room to expand. Eventually, there will be a music room, a gymnasium, a preschool and nursery and a chapel for youth, said the Rev. Schaedler.
Just as the building is informal, so is the dress code. Worshipers who attend Sunday services come dressed in tennis shoes and jeans, shorts and sandals and three-piece business suits.
"We just want people to be themselves. What's important is not what is seen externally - a building or a fancy dress - it's what is happening internally, in the heart and spirit," said the Rev. Schaedler.
The focus of his ministry is to reach out to "those who left the church but not God." He strives to provide a "bridge to bring them back."
Particularly, the pastor strives to help youth who have become disillusioned. "Too many have turned their backs on God because they don't fit into organized religions."
Instead of somber organ music, a worship band plays upbeat Christian music, creating a celebrating atmosphere during the service. The Rev. Schaedler plays the acoustic guitar and his wife, Quita, sings. The baby- boom generation and their children relate to contemporary music more personally because it's part of their modern culture, he said.
Affiliated with the international Assemblies of God faith, the Rev. Schaedler bases his teachings on the "first- century word of God with 20th-century application. We embrace the orthodox Christian message but help people find the relevance of Biblical teachings in their modern lives."
The pastor says his church is founded on "relational" theology - assisting worshipers to develop a close relationship with God and with others.
The Rev. Schaedler grew up in Evergreen, Colo., where he attended a Catholic church. As a young boy, he felt a keen desire to spend his life serving God. After graduating from college with a business degree, he and his wife established a small business in Vail, Colo., but he didn't feel fulfilled. He left business to preach in Grand Junction, Colo.
When he first began teaching the gospel, he and his wife believed they should leave the United States to serve a mission in a Third World country. But he recalls the day he had a vision that lead him to his ministry in Utah.
In his vision, he saw Jesus Christ looking over the world and crying. His teardrops fell upon American cities. "I knew then that Christ wanted me to stay in the United States and preach to his children here who have lost their direction," said the Rev. Schaedler.
In the warehouse chapel, they find God and happiness in serving him. "While our church is humble, we have definitely felt the presence of God. And God has worked miracles within these walls."