What would you do if Bill Gates became a member of your church? Rev Magazine asked 1700 protestant churchgoers and ministers what their first priority would be if they received an unexpected financial windfall. The results are interesting:
Clergy:
31% -- Building, Expanding, or Updating their Church Buildings
16% -- Increasing Community Evangelism Activities
12% -- Paying off Debt
Churchgoers:
18% -- Paying Off Debt
18% -- Increasing Social Programs
17% -- Building, Expanding, or Updating their Church Buildings
In both groups, church buildings are front and center because the debt churches incur is primarily from church buildings. So, 43% of clergy and 35% of churchgoers' primary monetary focus is on church buildings.
I’m not totally against church buildings, but I think we need to re-focus the efforts of church renovations and new church buildings. Churches tend to be the least utilized buildings in the world. The main focus is the Sanctuary which is used once or maybe twice a week for a few hours. Can we call ourselves good stewards while spending most of our money on a building that is only used a few hours a week and primarily only serves the members? In addition, the difficult and long-term fund raising efforts required in building projects leads to an inward focus at the expense of the surrounding community.
I would argue that we need a new brand of church building. Instead of large Sanctuaries that can only be used for a worship service, we need to move towards multi-purpose buildings where the rooms can be used for worship but also a variety of other activities. I think churches should build their facilities to serve as a community center and meet a variety of needs. The church would serve as the community meeting place and truly minister to the diverse needs of each community. This would also completely change the mindset of clergy and members because even building projects would be community centered and focused.
Clergy:
31% -- Building, Expanding, or Updating their Church Buildings
16% -- Increasing Community Evangelism Activities
12% -- Paying off Debt
Churchgoers:
18% -- Paying Off Debt
18% -- Increasing Social Programs
17% -- Building, Expanding, or Updating their Church Buildings
In both groups, church buildings are front and center because the debt churches incur is primarily from church buildings. So, 43% of clergy and 35% of churchgoers' primary monetary focus is on church buildings.
I’m not totally against church buildings, but I think we need to re-focus the efforts of church renovations and new church buildings. Churches tend to be the least utilized buildings in the world. The main focus is the Sanctuary which is used once or maybe twice a week for a few hours. Can we call ourselves good stewards while spending most of our money on a building that is only used a few hours a week and primarily only serves the members? In addition, the difficult and long-term fund raising efforts required in building projects leads to an inward focus at the expense of the surrounding community.
I would argue that we need a new brand of church building. Instead of large Sanctuaries that can only be used for a worship service, we need to move towards multi-purpose buildings where the rooms can be used for worship but also a variety of other activities. I think churches should build their facilities to serve as a community center and meet a variety of needs. The church would serve as the community meeting place and truly minister to the diverse needs of each community. This would also completely change the mindset of clergy and members because even building projects would be community centered and focused.
Comments
So, I guess in a very long winded way I agree, but I can see the otherside too.
Happy Thanksgiving!
This is a big issue I have been struggling with. Since we just moved into a new facility, the upkeep, maintenance, etc. has been overwhelming. I have changed my view from not doing much to the facility to believing you must expand, and improve. Church attenders/seekers are consumers, and they presentation of your property can be an incredible witness. It is interesting to note that we recently spent/allocated $190,000 on our new property in maintenance improvements. The biggest difference that the community noticed was the repaving of the parking lot. This recieved so much positive comments, where people were feeling it was a good thing we moved into their community.
As a sidebar, we just voted to raise $100,000 for community and mission initiatives which will only benefit the community, not our property or church.
Happy Thanskgiving.
This way everyone wins. We have "sacred space" that is used for worship services and to teach health and family relations seminars to the community, and other multi-purpose rooms.
I think this is where postmodernity is actually helping us come to a better understanding of the spiritual life. It gets rid of the sacred vs spiritual divide and views all of life as being sacred. I personally appreciate this world view and have no problem with playing basketball and worshiping in the same room. Why not? I play video games in the living room, does that mean I can't worship in my living room too?
Courtney and Kumar,
I'm all about using our buildings wisely. If you have a building, make sure it's in good shape and not a dump. I went to a church a while back that stunk, the pews were in disrepair, carpet messed up and it was awful. So, make sure it's in good shape.
I still think we are too building-centered and need to start thinking about how we can best utilize our resources. Granted, that may mean renovating or buying new property which is fine. I just think we need to re-shift our focus from having everyone come to our church building and instead go out into the community.
Yet to counter your argument, how many times in recient history have I heard someone express awe and wonder at a classical church structure (mostly Catholic) and say something like, I wish Adventists had a better understanding of beauty and holiness. It seems to me "beauty" is in. Maybe not.
Pray for me as we try to build our church:)
I see the space as something that should be used for the building of community which transcends traditional religious programming.
I agree with you, Trevan, that we spend a lot on buildings but I also feel that the building should be beautiful in an architectural sense because our ability to worship can be enhanced by the beauty of where we worship as a community. When I'm in a gothic cathedral, the architecture lifts me to Heaven by the sight lines. I just want to see that space used for more than high church.