For me,  I spose the most important thing about Sacred Spaces, like churches and chapels and places where important things have happened eg Jerusalem, is that they are places where it is easier to pray. Its not that God isn't in other places, its that we've set aside places, where the focus is on God, for people to go to and pray or think or chill out, and there are things in those places (symbols and helpful things like bibles) that help with this.

There is also something incredibly strong about the power of symbol. eg if someone throws their engagement ring back at someone else in public, there is a sense of shock and sorrow.
We all know exactly what it means, and we all feel for the people concerned. And the holy symbols in church are very powerful too. Which is why we have to be careful about the way we treat them, in case people think that we don't care about God. For even though a cross, is just a piece of wood it stands for something more than that. And even though an altar is just a table, it is the table where we gather, remember what Jesus did,  and are spiritually fed by Jesus in our hearts.

And so, for me, I suppose the most important thing about respect is that we don't get in the way of others praying if we can possibly help it. Sometimes that means not bashing and crashing round when someone is having a holy moment, and sometimes it even means doing things quite formally and respectfully so as not to upset someone else's faith, even though the informal way can often be just as good.St Paul said something about that once,
not doign things that upset other's faith.

Of course the other problem with churches is the historical side of things. There is an argument from those who aren't bothered about the Holy side of respect,  that churches should deserve respect as museum pieces, but that argument doesn't hold nearly as much weight for me, although it is useful from a mission point of view, when people come to a "museum" and then discover that actually there is something very special going on in that place.

That's my 2p anyway.

Sue.

I reckon our conduct dictates how we leave the building, though. I like to think I tidy my space or my pew up before I leave [and that I did so even when I had 2 manic toddlers to control ] to show suitable respect, but I'd hate to think the place looked or smelt spotless - dull, unlived in, trendy but lifeless - or that we had nothing else to do but tidy.

We'll need a verger for a while yet, Gary ........

I think it's ace that we try and have the Church open a lot, have interesting posters and notices at the 'back' and are looking at staging concerts, conferences and evangelistic events. But I think having it open as a 'Church' is a million times more important than the events. I agree with Sue's points on the power of symbol - they hint at the power and heritage our buildings and traditions have and are a great asset....... I dont think I'll ever move to a Starbucks based service

What would be unsuitable events or conduct for you then, Darth Vurja? Celebrity / Rock stars' weddings, I suspect; trashing a pew; having a party in the hall and not tidying up?