Why I am So Conflicted about Church Buildings

The church is not a building. Never has been. Never will be. The church is people. And I think every church leader I know believes that. But it seems like almost every community of faith I know in America is either trying to build a building or remodel a building. Having a church building seems to be the goal of every mission effort. I often preach in congregations with buildings that comfortably seat 150 or 200 people. The congregation usually has 50-75 in attendance. They are either well positioned for the growing crowd, or... they spent a lot of money for something they didn't need. Or don't need any longer. 

I am on staff at a large church (600ish), and we are remodeling some things in our building. It’s going to cost a lot of money. It has to be done or we will not be able to use our current building within just a few years.  

And I have mixed feelings about church buildings. So here are a few thoughts.

Our culture expects churches to have a building. That is what people expect. If you don't have one, are you making it harder to reach people? On the other hand, Christians are by nature counter-cultural. Sometimes it is easy for our culture to confuse the building with the church. Or even with Jesus.

Buildings cost a lot of money. A lot. What could be done with that money instead? More missions. Feeding the poor. Or would there be that much money available if there was not a central identity focus like a building. What about the people who will give generously for a building, but not so much for other things? I may not like it, but it is true.

Buildings can be used by the community. Or by parachurch organizations. Does that justify the expense?

Jesus never owned anything. That sure has implications for the ranch our family owns—and our barndominium. Does that have implications for God's people when it comes to buildings?

Where will everyone meet if we do not have buildings? In homes? Where I go to worship, we would have (I guess) 60 house churches of 10 or so members. Can elders shepherd a network of house churches? They did in the early church, so... maybe?

Less admin meetings. More shepherding. 

What do we do with all the preachers? Can you still have children's ministers? Youth ministers? Involvement ministers? How would you have senior pastors?

Of course, mass media would let one preacher teach multiple gatherings. Or maybe there would more lay preaching. Less professional. Maybe better. Because our buildings are designed for a sermon of 30-40 minutes, delivered by mostly the same person each week.

Perhaps we could/should use our buildings differently. Maybe a basic meeting place. But upgrade the spending so we are comfortable in our chairs or pews for the hour we are there? Maybe more classrooms. Or spend more to make them less formal. More inviting for studies and classes. Or do those in our homes. Maybe a clothing room. Or a food pantry.  

And would our current church culture even be able to change our current edifice complex?

Full disclosure. I am not really a building person. But if we have one, I am going to do all I can to use it to grow the Kingdom.  

And we did make a pledge for our current building campaign. Because our elders asked. Because it does not violate any Scripture. And because we do use it. But our gift was not sacrificial. Or substantial.  

You have figured out I have no clue about buildings. And I sure don't think Scripture says much about church buildings. So either that means we shouldn't have them. Or it is OK to have them. Or God is not nearly as concerned about buildings as we are.

Last thought: most of my great-grandchildren will be believers. I doubt they will meet in church buildings.