Scripture: Acts 7:48-49
Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made with hands; as the prophet says, “Heaven is my throne, and earth my footstool. What house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest?”
Thought for the Day: I’m getting ready to speak at a conference of church leaders who are asking tough questions about faith communities and their buildings. So many of our congregations are killing themselves as they cannibalize outreach and missional funds for maintenance. It would be one thing if the money was spent to fix a building that was so overly used by the community for true ministry, but in most cases, the funds are used to maintain a museum. Too often mission money is spent on an alarm system and bars on the windows to protect the sofa aunt Gertrude donated 21 years ago, along with other important relics.
I’m currently reading The Underground Church by Robin Meyers. Early in the book, Meyers writes, “…the church is in such disarray, so tempted to save itself by redecorating, changing ministers, or hiring the right band, that a dirty little secret must now be told. To ignore it any longer is akin to pretending that the bad odor hanging over the sanctuary is best treated by spraying, rather than by confessing, ‘Something stinks!’ Of all the reasons given for the decline of the church in our time, the number on reason is often left unsaid: no on really expects anything important to happen” (p. 59-60). Rearrange, putting a new coat of pain, putting up a projection screen–none of these will get to the real issue. Our buildings might be located within communities, but rarely do they have anything of significance to say to those communities. We have our work cut out for us!
Prayer: Lord God, give us a ministry that puts above everything else the care of those who are broken. This is so much more important than caring for broken down buildings. Amen.
