Seating

Question

Rabbi Abadi, My son has a friend who attends a shul that is moving from Conservative to Religious. The new rabbi, Thank G-d!, is orthodox, but the congregation has the usual growing pains. The rabbi is an expert at kiruv, and he is working to make the shul more religious without destroying the congregation, so he is moving at a careful pace in changing things. Right now they have seating which is in transition. There is a men's section, a women's section, and a mixed section (which will slowly dissolve with time, education, and a subtle moving of the Mechizah.) Should I let my son stay with his friend over Shabbat to pray in this synagogue? Is there anything wrong with a man praying in a men's section when there is also a mixed section in the same synagogue? Thank you.