I was walking home from my bus stop the other day, and I took a shortcut, through a church parking lot. It was about 4:00, not a car, or soul to be seen, and the gate was firmly locked. And this started me thinking about how we talk about community a lot, how we are already present in our particular communities for the most part, and how the church building fits into that.
We know that the church is not a building. The church of Jesus Christ is not a building, it is not an organization or social club. The church is what God promised he would build, and IS building, made up of all true followers of Jesus. However, since Constantine, the church has become largely institutionalized. And, a practical part of this means that we possess and meet in buildings.
My thoughts came to rest on the stewardship of the buildings that God has entrusted to us. When we think of stewardship we typically think of tithing our money TO the church, and there is nothing expressly wrong in this, outside of completely compartmentalizing our stewardship, and limiting it to money alone. My question is this: Are we being good stewards of what God has entrusted to us? Particularly with regards to our church buildings.
It has been my experience in the North American church thus far, that it is often that our buildings sit completely empty for large portions of the week; almost void of interaction within the community it seems. The church office may be open for a few hours, till perhaps around lunch time, and then not a soul darkens the door until Sunday morning. Now, I realize that I am exaggerating (to make a point), and that this is not the case in all churches. However, I believe that it is commonplace with regards to the North American church, of which we are a part.
Furthermore, if there is one thing that hopefully defines the church, from the book of Acts until now, it must be the word community. This is definitely a "buzz word" in Christian circles, and it is completely understandable why. We read the book of Acts, and it is impossible not to see the raw power of community- sharing possessions, giving to anyone who has a need,breading of bread together (eating), praying, reading the Word. We see this, and we are inspired to "recapture", if you will, this community that we see so vividly in Acts (particularly chapter 2). And we should. The community that Jesus vividly exemplifies with his disciples, and that we see in Acts, should inspire us to "do life" with others. Authentic, raw, genuine community should follow us wherever we go. We should create it, define it, exemplify it, and live in it every single day. Let's face it- whether Christian or not- our greatest joys and our most monumental struggles will be within the context of relationship with one another. But- it is worth it. People are worth it.
Bringing this all back to the church building itself, my closing thought is this: should not the church be more like a community centre, or centre of community than it is today? Should we not be the most happening place on the block? Let me preface that thought with this: I know that we are called to go where people are, where community already happens, and we should. But should not the church itself be the best, most truest expression of community the world has ever seen? This by the grace of Jesus alone, and a few good, spirit-led, inspired, fired-up men and women. Thoughts? I say- let's do it.
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4 comments:
I agree - in fact, I think that is my main struggle with Christianity and the one thing that I DO understand the secular view of the church...at least, how many come to a perspective of seclusion and that unwelcome feeling by the church-structure. I mean, in my journeys of faith my self, I still really struggle with church. I was at this service once where the pastor said that it is not the NEW people's job to find a place within those walls, but it's the seasoned veterans job to show the new people there IS a place for them... and I agree! I think at the heart of what we believe is love and at the core and truest form of that love is to be unconditional...and completely available, as we should be, with God's love. Open, ready, and prepared. Period.
Good word Blake.
Very true. And I was randomly talking to Steve the other day about the Dream Center in Medicine Hat. From what we experienced, and what Steve described, that is what they do. Pretty cool stuff.
Hi Blake,
good word and especially timely for me as our church is mid-way through a building project. The question of stewardship, in all of its forms, is a big one!
I wonder if the deeper issue that you bring up isn't so much about stewardship of buildings so much as it is stewardship of communities? How often are our Christian communities stewarded poorly (i.e. poorly organized and/or rarely inspired)? Why does this happen?
Hi Blake... the thing about blogs, is, well, you update them... :):):)
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