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More and more churches and ministries everywhere are trying to keep up with the times in an effort to attract and retain more members. Worship, right down to the seating, is increasingly being modernized. For instance, a survey estimates that, currently, about 80 percent of new churches install stackable church chairs instead of pews. This is a trend that has been growing for the last 20 years and shows no sign of slowing down.

Pews are essentially wooden benches with fixed backs and arm rests, with a kneeler attached in the front. A decent-sized pew can seat 10 or more persons side by side. Pews have been in use since the 15th century, but in recent times, they have been refurbished with cushions, padded backs or padded kneelers.

Church chairs are made from a variety of materials—such as wood, metal, plastic—and come in a variety of finishes and designs. Manufacturers offer both classical and contemporary style chairs. On the outside, they look like banquet chairs, but they can be connected together in a pew-like configuration.

Chairs are often less expensive and more flexible than pews, since wooden furniture is generally more expensive than furniture made from steel, aluminum or plastic. With stackable chairs, it is also easy to turn a room for religious services to a multi-purpose room, saving on rental costs or the cost of building a separate room for other functions.Chairs can also be used for occasions other than worship services, such as banquets and conferences.

For some people, the decision to use chairs or pews is not based solely on cost or the comfort it provides. As with any furnishing, seating affects the ambiance and people’s perception of a place of worship. For example, pews are usually associated with tradition and formality, while chairs give an impression of a modern, less formal and non-traditional style of worship.

Parishes or ministries sometimes have to deal with problems like theft and vandalism. More often than not, these churches prefer pews to chairs, because they are more difficult to steal and damage. Those with younger congregations and disabled members sometimes prefer church chairs, which are more comfortable and easier to rearrange for easier access.

Existing architectural features could also dictate on whether chairs or pews should be used. For example, pews can be built to accommodate sloped floors, chevron or curved row configurations. On the other hand, most chairs are inappropriate for sloped floors because of their fixed legs, which have a tendency to lean forward. They also cannot be connected to form curved rows.

Churches undergoing renovation may think it is time to replace their pews with stackable chairs. However, this is not always the best option, since pews can be refinished and updated with cushions, which is a relatively low-cost upgrade, compared with purchasing a number of chairs as replacements. Churches can also compromise by using a combination of chairs and pews to provide flexibility for holiday services and other big events. Overall, church seating is a reflection of what the church or ministry believes is important in worship, be it tradition or more practical concerns such as cost and comfort.

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