Bible Question: Why are all these family life centers (basketball courts) poping up everywhere in conjunction with the church? I thought the bible teaches us to be good stewards of the Lord's money? How do these basketball courts fit into Gods ultimate plan? |
Bible Answer: Cute pun, Raven! If we are going to have gazillion dollar church buildings, they may as well have gymnasiums and pools, don't you think? I find it odd that "church" has come to mean what it does. "Ekklesia" has nothing to do with brick and mortar structures, but the paradigm of the modern American church goer is such that they can't tell the difference between the "assembly" or "congregation" on the one hand, and the building, on the other. If you're not familiar with ekklesia(or ecclesia?), it is the word in the NT that gets translated as "church." But it has much more to do with the gathering of believers and nothing to do with the place where they were gathered, which was almost always someone's home. In this context, the question you raise cannot be answered because the assembly of believers does not have concrete for a foundation, nor asphalt for roofing and parking. This shift in the definition has and will continue to cause problems. There is a home church movement, but they are usually seen as fundamentalist zealots and targets of a BATF hit squad. It remains to be seen whether they will gain any popularity at all. They are among the most "complete" Christians I have known. But given our American consumerist fleshly tendencies to want to be associated with "winners," I have my doubts. Which brings us to large expensive additions to the building. As far as stewardship is concerned, it can probably be shown that big money attracts big money. We're all subject to the hysteria of the "big and glitzy." God can use that too, but he sure doesn't like sharing any glory. Especially, i believe, when it's a "religious" object, like a church building. How all this will pan out I haven't a clue, Raven. I think we'd best be on our knees. |