Do we only build buildings?

Recently while speaking with a friend, I asked, “What is the biggest obstacle preventing the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ?” I was most surprised by the answer given. My friend thought for a moment and then replied, “Well in today's culture , churches tend to only build buildings.” I became mystified by his reply and wondered what he meant. After thinking on it for a long time, I began to research a few examples to understand what he was declaring.

I didn't have to go far but to notice one of our megachurches in the city. They had just built a new sanctuary which was by far the most elegant in the area and possibly the entire Midwest. It was so grandiose, some have even called it, “Vatican City.” What was difficult to understand was the sanctuary they were moving from was also the most grand in the city, and the one before likewise. I took a trip to view these structures as all three stood in a line one right after another. They were outstanding pieces of architecture. However, did this congregation need three separate structures for worship? I wondered, could the money used to build these gigantic buildings have been used to further the gospel of the Lord. The last building erected cost just under $100,000,000. One concerned member of the congregation asked the leadership if these funds might better be used for missions and telling others about Jesus. The leadership gave a most interesting reply. They said,

“This grand, beautiful structure would bring in more people who would give even more money than the cost of the building which could be used for missions.”

This particular church is not unlike other examples I have encountered. It seems the corporate church of today many times acquire assets. It is not to say there isn’t good being done, but it has become quite popular for churches to focus on wealth and the expansion of property rather than always seeking the lost. It seems to be happening all across our country. 

All of this reminds me of the university where I went to school over 30 years ago. It was a small school with around 12,000 students and only three buildings to hold classes. Now, they have over 10 buildings and still only around 12,000 students. Do they need all these structures to teach the same amount of students? Is this why tuition now is so costly that very few students can go to school without accruing mountains and mountains of debt. The university it seems has expanded its holdings with real property. Are our churches following the same blueprint? It’s hard to say, but let us pray all churches both large and small, continue spreading the gospel because the half has never been told. Then perhaps we as Christians will always remember that the church is not the building, but rather the Body of Christ.