Subject: Church Building or Not |
Bible Note: "A building does not a church make." That's an immortal quote from my great grandfather George, the one whose most notable saying is, "Wet birds seldom fly at night." :-) ... But I really do lean toward the views prayon has expressed. And would add two other observations. [1] I've traveled rather extensively and have seen in America as well as Europe ornate cathedrals, plush and masterful handworks of the designers' art -- and vast, able to accomodate hundreds or even thousands, yet they were many of them virtually a hollow hall. Capable of being the church home of the many, they were home but to the faithful few. So it obviously takes a great deal more than bricks and mortar in order to establish and maintain a living, vibrant church. And [2) our Lord and His disciples got things going rather nicely without benefit of much else than a borrowed synagogue on occasion or a friend's house or a meadow on a hillside. Paul took the "church" with him to Mars Hill or to a dank jail cell. In deference to what you have stated about the building itself being a witness to the community, perhaps in some sense it is. But I submit that the witness of one Christian to one sinner speaks louder and clearer and nearer to the commission Christ gave us than the pealing of any church bell no matter how dulcent nor how pure the tone. --Hank |