It's hard not to notice the "For Sale" signs on former church buildings these days.

They're everywhere.Churches of all denominations are on the auction block.It's happening in Pennsylvania and across the country.It's not necessarily a humorous topic, but one sale generated chuckles.In Florida, the Full Deliverance Church of Jesus posted a sign that indicated: For Sale by Owner.Local residents picked up on the wording, saying "Jesus is selling a church."The sale of so many former church buildings makes me pause and reflect.Many churches are works of art.Some contain elements of architectural achievement, brilliant stained-glass windows, marble and granite pillars, majestic murals, overwhelming proportions, and spires reaching up to the heavens.Of course, these costly cathedrals are now dinosaurs of a different era. They're hard to heat and expensive to maintain.But seeing churches for sale can be emotional.Something inside of me dislikes seeing monuments of faith reduced to market value. It's almost sacrilege.Somehow, putting a price tag on a church is an insult to generations of faithful who supported it.Whenever a church closes or is sold, or torn down, church leaders offer the same kind of remark."We must remember the church isn't the building, but the people."That comment rubs me the wrong way. It might be well-intended, but I think it does a major disservice to those who struggled to build churches.In our area, immigrants toiled in the mines or on the railroad to eke out a meager living.Their tithing of hard-earned pennies, nickels and quarters was a sacrifice. Their devotion built the many historic churches that paint our landscape. How can we nonchalantly dismiss their hard work?In some cases, desanctified churches have found new use. A former Presbyterian Church in Tamaqua became an art gallery, studio and private residence.A nearby Evangelical Church was repurposed as a community arts center.In other places, some churchgoers are cringing at the way adaptive re-use has found new roles for former church buildings. One church became a nightclub.In Ohio, a deconsecrated church became a brewery, The Church Brew Works.So yes, things are changing.In broader perspective, some believe man is slowly outgrowing religion as society matures.I can understand that progression in a very real way.I also have a friend who informs me about trends. He's a conspiracist who warns me about things I'd probably never figure out.He says church closings are part of a destiny called the New World Order.Don't ask me for details. All I can tell you is that it has something to do with one single government or authority taking control of the people of the world."Haven't you given consideration to a new master plan?" he asked. "Haven't you figured out the New World Order?"Heck, no. I can't even figure out if I should buy 1 percent milk or 2 percent milk.So I'm not ready to say what society might look like beyond my lifetime (although I do have plenty of ideas).The churches of old were more than brick and mortar. Churches were a place of hope for many people, and still are.So there's something inherently sad about an abandoned church.Still, hope springs eternal.So in the words of the late Spock, live long and prosper.