Many churches measure success more by buildings than any thing else. Often when a church gives their history, they reference when each building was built as the most important dates. It is almost as if the greatest assets a church has are their buildings. When Jesus said, "Upon this rock I will build my church," you would have thought by a church's actions that he meant the rock was a literal foundation for a building.
Often a church's identity is connected to a building. When a church building burns and the members are on the news, the interviews reveal this. Why are churches so wrapped up in buildings? A few thoughts on the subject:
1. It is difficult to think outside the box when it comes to facilities.
2. Elders of churches think in terms of a place rather than service.
3. Old educational models are used for "Sunday School" which requires mega class room space.
4. Church leaders feel the need for assets.
5. Church leaders can "see" God working through building programs more than anything else. A few years away and they will not mention God and the building when the economy has turned and they are struggling to pay for it.
6. Most churches are still in the late 19th century and 20th century mind set instead of the 1st. (Yes, I also know about Constantine).
7. Many churches, especially in growing suburban areas would not grow if it were not for buildings. Most of the growth is transfers, and these people expect buildings.
8. Paradigms see buildings.
9. Buildings are where God shows up at least that is what is often stated.
10. A building keeps a remnant in the building when the church splits.
11. What are some other reasons?
What can we do instead of buildings?
About Me
- David Michael
- Katy, Texas, United States
- Being a husband and a father is the greatest blessing in my life. I am also a Special Educator to students with an autism spectrum disorder.
3 comments:
A part of our emphasis on buildings is due to our concept of worship. We have not seen it as a part of life, we have confined it to a day (Sunday) and a particular location (the building). A second reason is status and pride. We compare ourselves to other churches around us. Churches play the "keeping up with the Jones'" too. We also have bought into the, "If We Build It They Will Come" mentality.
you know to me this would be interesting. I have tried to convince churches that they need to stay in their warehouse where they have been growing like wildfire and not build the big building. But its a hard sell.
the Catacombs had some things going for them. people seem to realize they are what is important when meeting in an old wal-mart. Too many times in a nice building. We get comfortable.
David,
I've had a crazy week and am just now catching up on your blog. But this was especially pertinent to me today. Yesterday we spent the day with a Chinese couple. He is a student at our local university; his wife comes only for two months in the summer. They are not yet Christians, but they visited our church, which rents space in an office building, last Sunday.
While we were driving yesterday, she said, "I think you need to put a cross on your building." Les tried to explain that while we have a sign on the lawn that does have a cross, the building is shared by many businesses, and so we are not permitted to put a cross or sign on it. "But you cannot tell it is a church. It doesn't look like a church. People will not know to come," she kept insisting. We finally dropped the topic because she just couldn't understand the point of having a church that didn't look like a church!
Not sure if she is used to seeing official churches in China that look like a church, or just the many churches around us that look like one, but this obviously bothered her greatly!
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