A pastor at a Flint Township, Michigan church has opened more than his doors – he’s opening a tattoo parlor inside of the church.
Rev. Steve Bentley says he is trying to reach out to people who never felt comfortable at a traditional church. The Bridge, Bentley’s church, is located in a 3,000 square foot section of a shopping center. Serenity Tattoo is located not far from his office, near a galvanized watering trough used for baptisms.
Two tattoo artists work at the county-licensed shop that is open every day except Sunday. Bentley rejects criticism that a church is the wrong place for a tattoo parlor, calling it a “morally neutral” practice akin to having your ears pierced. Rev. Bentley himself has two tattoos.
