Building a Building

Among my favorite Bible teachers is Perry Stone. While watching one of his “Manna-Fest” programs on YouTube a few years ago, I noticed another viewer posted the following comment: “It is NOT time to build a building, it’s time for winning the souls!” This was in response to brief remarks Perry made about a building project for his ministry. No financial appeals were made while computerized graphics of his ministry center were shown.

As an evangelist, I agree it's time for winning souls. God doesn’t want anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9). But if the Lord continues tarrying His return, where will all the new converts be discipled…outdoors? That would be comparable to a farmer who reaped a huge harvest of wheat but had no barn to put it in. Some will argue the early Christians met in people’s homes. Churches today sometimes start off as home bible studies. But if that group grows too large, a person’s house won’t have enough room to accommodate everyone.

The above photo is part of a meme Facebook friends have posted claiming: “Back when God mattered more than the church building.” I agree what’s preached inside the church is more important than how it looks on the outside. God isn’t honored if His people meet in a luxurious facility but the spiritual needs of the congregation are neglected. Nor it is good for a church to have a debt load that cannot be paid. 

Nevertheless, abundant resources were used in building tabernacles and temples in the Old Testament. During one such building project, Moses said in Exodus 36:6, “‘Let neither man nor woman do any more work for the offering of the sanctuary.’ And the people were restrained from bringing.” How many pastors do you know telling their congregations not to give any more money because they have more than enough to do the work of the Lord?

Sports fans don’t think it’s wrong when millions of dollars are spent on a new stadium for their favorite team to play in. Yet critics complain if a church spends (in their opinion) too much money on a new building. Some Christians defiantly claim, “The church is not a building!” The Lord asked in Haggai 1:4 (NLT), “Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins?”

It’s time for the body of Christ to get rid of a poverty mentality regarding our church buildings. In his book “How God Taught Me About Prosperity”, Kenneth E. Hagin was told, “I expect My people to have the best place in town to meet in!” If we take care of God’s house, He will take care of ours.

“Also the burnt offerings were in abundance, with the fat of the peace offerings and with the drink offerings for every burnt offering. So the service of the house of the Lord was set in order.” - 2 Chronicles 29:35

Be the Church

Since I’m not fond of Starbucks, Einstein Bros Bagels has lately been my favorite “office.” Three days ago I felt led to make a morning bike ride there. Shortly after getting my bagel and coffee, I struck up a conversation with a man sitting at the table next to me. I was surprised to find out Bill is in his 40s. He looked so much younger.

Eventually, I asked Bill questions concerning his eternal destiny. He first responded by saying different churches had given him conflicting definitions of how one is saved. I soon determined Bill is a Christian for he professed knowing Jesus as Lord. However, Bill hasn’t gone to church for a while because of the bickering he’s seen amongst congregations. That reminded me of what Jesus said in John 13:35, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” 

Bill then said he often spends his Sundays feeding the homeless. Certainly, that is commendable. More Christians need to “be the church” and serve others instead of just going to church and warming the pews every week. God never intended church to be like a spectator sport. Still, that doesn’t negate the Bible’s commandment of “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.” (Hebrews 10:25)

Bill also told me he’s visited many local churches but hasn’t found one he liked. I occasionally hear this from Christians while doing street ministry. Too many of them choose a church for the wrong reasons (“It’s close to my house”, “My family has gone there for years”, etc.). The best church to go to is the one God has assigned them to. As 1 Corinthians 12:18 says, “But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.”

Near the end of our conversation, I mentioned a couple of local churches Bill hadn’t heard of. He thanked me after I gave him the address to one of them. A few minutes later, the pastor’s wife from that church showed up at the bagel shop! I believe this was a sign for Bill to at least visit that church. The next step is up to him.

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.” - Matthew 7:24