Thirty years ago, we were in a movie theater and thought it was so cool because we were finally delivered from the horrors of stained glass and wooden pews.

In this quote, Bill Hybels reflects on a shift in how people experienced church and religion over time. He describes a moment from thirty years ago when churchgoers were excited about moving away from traditional church settings, such as those with stained glass windows and wooden pews, which may have felt old-fashioned or confining. The reference to these elements symbolizes the more formal, structured, and possibly restrictive environment that characterized many churches in the past.

Hybels suggests that the move away from these traditional church settings represented a liberating change for many people. The excitement of leaving behind the rigid, formal aspects of church worship for something more modern and accessible reflects a desire for a new form of spirituality—one that was less tied to traditional, historical practices and more in tune with contemporary culture. This change was seen as a way to make worship more relevant and engaging for a broader audience.

The phrase "we were finally delivered" indicates the sense of freedom people felt from the constraints of the old church environment. By moving away from the formality of stained glass and pews, churchgoers were seeking a more personal and dynamic experience of faith. Hybels may be referencing the broader trend at the time of modernizing churches and making them more welcoming and relatable to a modern congregation.

Ultimately, this quote highlights a pivotal moment in the history of church culture, where many began to embrace a more innovative and contemporary approach to worship. Hybels reflects on this change with a sense of nostalgia, recognizing how such shifts helped transform the way people engage with their faith in a modern context.