But inside, it is very different. A seven-person band performs as part of the religious service. People can watch the service on large television screens inside the building or in the churchs cafe.
The Church of the Nativity is well-known because of a book called Rebuilt. One of the writers -- Father Michael White -- is head of the church. He and church members have found new ways to fill the church. His book tells how he persuaded local Catholics to return to services.
Studies show that 33 percent of Americans who were born into the Roman Catholic faith have left it. But leaders of the Church of the Nativity believe they have found the secret to winning back former Catholics. That secret is a service that some people say sounds like a rock music show.
Church of the Nativity leaders say they have borrowed some ideas from huge Evangelical Protestant churches. Such churches are often called megachurches because they have so many members.
Tom Corcoran worked with Father White to write Rebuilt. Mr. Corcoran says criticism of the non-traditional ways is not uncommon. He says some people compare the religious services to food products with the richest fillings removed.
I think if you want to do anything worth doing, youre going to get criticized. And people arent going to understand you, and thats just part of the deal.
Rev. John Conley is a professor at Loyola University Maryland. He says Catholics pay too much attention to less-than-important issues.
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