Too Much Baggage for the Journey – What to Build

Greetings Dear Reader,

The church I attend has been in its current building for eight years.  It is a beautiful structure but it is not ostentatious.  The floor of the large hallway is poured concrete coloured to look like marble.  The building is in almost constant use.

The first week in the new structure I sat with my family as the pastor celebrated the new place.  He explained to us all that the building was to be used.  He pointed out how it was just a building set aside for building a community of Christ followers so they can reach a community who is lost without him.  He promptly poured coffee on the brand new platform carpet.

So many gasped whilst I noticed that my family laughed.  Many got it.  Many did not.  The point is that the building is just a building.  There are those who think it needs to be adorned with gold and jewels.  I have worshiped from mahogany pews and folding chairs.  It works either way. 

Too often we put more into the edifice than we do the people.  Do not get me wrong.  I am amazed at the beauty and grandeur of great cathedrals.  I would tear it all down if I could use the gold and jewels to feed the hungry.  I would love to see the church understand the purpose of gold.

The gospel does not carry the baggage of buildings.   Instead it carries the idea of using our resources to help those in need.  We use them to show generosity and mercy to others.  We are to use them to meet the needs of others so that they can see their need for Jesus.

The church forces the Gospel to carry too much building baggage.  It demands that the world see its abundance whilst the world is hungry.  This cannot be sustained.  Until we remember that the building is just dust and it is the people that matter we will not gain ground in reaching the physically and spiritually hungry.  What we need to build is their trust in our mission.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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