Wednesday, October 31, 2007
We love buildings...
Those of us in the church of Christ love buildings. For all of my life that has been one of the great milestones for the congregations where I have worshiped. I know that some of that is because we used to be a poor fellowship on the "wrong" side of the tracks and it was a big deal to be able to build a nice building. It showed we had arrived. Of course, I always wonder if we didn't grow more when we weren't so much a part of the establishment.
I also know that many people will give generously to a building program because it is something tangible. Brick and mortar is easy to see... and to sell.
But I do not get it. We always sell building programs as great acts of faith and sacrifice. I think giving to a building would be pretty far down the list of sacrificial acts of faith for most Christians. We always make buildings out to be about God, or about reaching the lost, or saving our young people. I rarely hear of a building program being undertaken because of all the people baptized in the last two or three years. It seems they are always "going" to be the magic bullet that opens the door to evangelism.
Sometimes I am afraid that we build buildings because it is easier to do that than to really get in lives and bring people to Jesus. At Southern Hills we are entering a building program around the theme of being God's front porch. And hopefully our facilities will reflect that emphasis. But I still suspect it is easier to build a front porch than to be a front porch. After all, one just takes money. The other takes committed lives.
So what are some of your thoughts about church buildings.
I also know that many people will give generously to a building program because it is something tangible. Brick and mortar is easy to see... and to sell.
But I do not get it. We always sell building programs as great acts of faith and sacrifice. I think giving to a building would be pretty far down the list of sacrificial acts of faith for most Christians. We always make buildings out to be about God, or about reaching the lost, or saving our young people. I rarely hear of a building program being undertaken because of all the people baptized in the last two or three years. It seems they are always "going" to be the magic bullet that opens the door to evangelism.
Sometimes I am afraid that we build buildings because it is easier to do that than to really get in lives and bring people to Jesus. At Southern Hills we are entering a building program around the theme of being God's front porch. And hopefully our facilities will reflect that emphasis. But I still suspect it is easier to build a front porch than to be a front porch. After all, one just takes money. The other takes committed lives.
So what are some of your thoughts about church buildings.
Comments:
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For a long time, I had some of these same thoughts- especially when I see grandiose architecture that must have required a gazillion dollars to design, create and erect on a piece of property carefully selected to draw the highest number of people in a particular neighborhood.
But I think we have the right idea, the right purpose, and the clarity of vision (HIS, not ours) to make this a wonderful effort to reach those both inside and outside our building in tangible, meaningful ways.
Of course, the "proof" of our effort will only be initiated once the construction dust settles, the landscapers finish the final green touches, and the parking lot is striped. Once the "earthly" craft is complete, then and only then will we see if our people will rise to the occasion to put the "spiritual" craft into play within our community. Hopefully, folks have already started working in this area as we prepare for a better porch from which to launch these types of ministries.
Perhaps a better question to ask:
"What are you doing today to help others - that would be enhanced by our new facilities once completed?"
-TMS
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But I think we have the right idea, the right purpose, and the clarity of vision (HIS, not ours) to make this a wonderful effort to reach those both inside and outside our building in tangible, meaningful ways.
Of course, the "proof" of our effort will only be initiated once the construction dust settles, the landscapers finish the final green touches, and the parking lot is striped. Once the "earthly" craft is complete, then and only then will we see if our people will rise to the occasion to put the "spiritual" craft into play within our community. Hopefully, folks have already started working in this area as we prepare for a better porch from which to launch these types of ministries.
Perhaps a better question to ask:
"What are you doing today to help others - that would be enhanced by our new facilities once completed?"
-TMS
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