You definitely have a point. And many of the churches in Africa, India, South America, China are the fastest growing of our day.
It just so happens that our facility committee has worked on many of the things listed for my small home parish. (And we have full houses at all four Masses.)
However, what this article FAILED to address was the credibility of the pastor. Isn't the pastor mentioned in this article losing membership at his church?? Hmmmm -- so that would mean that the most important thing is the MESSAGE!
Yes, our church too gives consideration to enhancing worship through the physical surroundings. We want to direct the glory to God. The items on the Rick Warren list seem to be (please sing with me) "all about me, and all this is for me!"
God is a God of order and beauty. There is nothing wrong with these considerations, except when it becomes a matter of pandering to people who aren't willing to experience some possible discomfort in finding a place to park or sit! Wouldn't it be wonderful to sit on a dirt floor and listen to the Apostle Paul talk about Christ?
You nailed it! All this other stuff is just trappings, as people say. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God!"