.jpg)
The crimson billboard greets thousands of Rhode Island commuters with Providence Place shopping mall's motto: "Dedicated to the pursuit of material acquisition." "I really find it offensive," says David Buehler, pastor of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Providence. The consumeristic credo may cause many a thrifty Lutheran to wince, but it strikes Buehler closer to home than most. The mall has been a headache — especially during two years of construction — but it may prove a godsend for the struggling parish. The mall gives the church high visibility and opportunities for outreach and mission.
The rest of this article is only available to subscribers.
© 2013 Augsburg Fortress, Publishers
