| We live in an economic era where the "Bigger" | | | | still standing and I am 50. My father, mother, |
| the item - the "Better"! Fast food restaurant | | | | aunts, uncles, grandfather and grandmother have |
| employees routinely ask "Do you want to | | | | all grown up in that church. Expansion has |
| Super-Size It?" as an enhancement to the already | | | | occurred; a few rooms have been re-modeled |
| "large" items, such as fries and a soft drink, in a | | | | here and there; but, it has not formulated a |
| combo. Subsequently, this is a suitable marketing | | | | campaign to build a massive sanctuary beyond |
| technique in such a competitive industry as the | | | | the needs and affordability of the community |
| restaurant business, but who would have imagined | | | | neighborhood. Our churches were once respected |
| this concept would be utilized in the church? Of | | | | and reverence and now, due to misappropriation |
| course we use a more inconspicuous term, | | | | of funds, overzealous leaders, and other |
| "Mega". I can hardly sit through a church service | | | | "negative" issues, we have become a "contention", |
| these days without hearing about a capital | | | | as the scriptures states in Psalms 80: 6, "You |
| campaign or building fund project, such as | | | | have made us a source of contention to our |
| Imagine, or Injoy, which outlines a structured | | | | neighbors, and our enemies mock us." The place |
| monetary pledge or commitment that supersedes | | | | that was once the "place of refuge" is not seeking |
| the biblical ordinance of tithing and offering, | | | | refuge. The place that was referred to as the |
| extended over a period of time. | | | | "storehouse", is now seeking "bailout". The prophet |
| Campaigns that equate building larger churches | | | | Joel foresaw this day when he spoke these |
| synonymously with building the temple of God! | | | | words in Joel 1: 16-17: |
| The scriptures declare in Acts 17: 24 that "The | | | | " Has not the food been cut offbefore our very |
| God who made the world and everything in it is | | | | eyes-joy and gladnessfrom the house of our |
| the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in | | | | God? |
| temples built by hands." So I ask the question, | | | | 17 The seeds are shriveledbeneath the clods. |
| who is benefiting from the building of these | | | | The storehouses are in ruins,the granaries have |
| "mega" facilities - God or man? | | | | been broken down,for the grain has dried up. |
| The church's need for "super sizing" reminds me | | | | 18 How the cattle moan! |
| of the thought-pattern of the rich man, who | | | | The herds mill aboutbecause they have no |
| decided to tear down his barn and build "bigger" | | | | pasture;even the flocks of sheep are suffering." |
| barns so that he would have "good things" laid up | | | | Please note, I am not judging, because I, on a |
| for years (Luke 12:18). Selfishly, the more he | | | | personal level, have experienced hard times and |
| obtained; the more he wanted! Now, let me | | | | have faced foreclosure, as well. I am not bashing |
| interject, I do not have a issue with a church, | | | | or condemning the church. As a minister, I am |
| that has outgrown its facilities, making plans to | | | | simply saying to the church that we have to do |
| accommodate its expanding congregation; but, for | | | | better and we cannot lose focus of our |
| what reason should a 500-member congregation | | | | mission-soul winning. There is much work to be |
| build a facility that seats 5,000 members? Or, | | | | accomplished and as the scripture declares, "the |
| why would a congregation with a gross income of | | | | harvest is plenty but the laborers are few!" We |
| $500,000 a year ($1,500,000 in three | | | | cannot get "caught up" in denominational rivalry |
| years)--pledge to pay for a 20-million dollar church | | | | nor should we try to "keep up with the Joneses", |
| facility in a three-year period? That equates to a | | | | so to speak. We have to "separate ourselves" |
| commitment of almost 7-million dollars a year! | | | | and come from among them. The church is |
| That's absurd! And some of the amenities - i.e., | | | | "sacred, "sanctified", "consecrated", and "set |
| some churches have ATM machines! One church | | | | apart" for service, for the people. Our mission |
| is planning to construct a food court! Why? If | | | | should be to serve, not to be served; to lead by |
| Jesus was so angry at the moneychangers in the | | | | example. We are in the world, but we are not OF |
| synagogue in Jerusalem that He overturned their | | | | the world. Our motive cannot be because |
| tables for selling doves, imagine what He would do | | | | EVERYBODY else is doing it. |
| if He lived today? How would He feel about the | | | | Let me interject, I do not oppose large, exquisite |
| "watchmen" who are over 'taxing" and over | | | | edifices; I have travelled overseas and have seen |
| burdening the people, seeking their own gain. | | | | some "breath-taking" chapels in Germany, France, |
| Jeremiah 6 verse 13 states, "From the least to | | | | Holland, and Switzerland. Some of these |
| the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophets and | | | | "masterpieces" are trimmed in gold and the |
| priests alike, all practice deceit." | | | | décor is indescribable. Some are big and |
| I have heard leaders ask congregants to refrain | | | | beautiful edifices; yet, inside they felt cold and |
| from purchasing personal necessities for a period | | | | devoid of life. Some are utilized just as tourist |
| of time, in order to commit these funds to the | | | | attractions; they have "presence" but no |
| building campaign. I have heard of people taking | | | | "essence". They exist, but they have no bliss! Do I |
| out second mortgages on their homes to commit | | | | have a witness? |
| to building these enormous facilities. Proverbs | | | | In conclusion, I would like to ask, "Does SIZE |
| 22:26 states "Do not be a man who strikes hands | | | | matter?" Is the church's motive for expansion |
| in pledge or puts up security for debts..." When is | | | | linked to soul winning or capital campaigning? Are |
| "enough"--enough? | | | | we more concerned with "the numbers" instead |
| The thing that really saddens me is that because | | | | of the conversion of "sinners"? Should I be asked |
| of this need for "super sizing", many churches | | | | to make "pledges" beyond my "tithes" and |
| today are facing foreclosure! Churches - | | | | [free-will] "offerings"? Is the motive for expansion |
| foreclosing? That was unheard of back in the | | | | based on need (accommodating growth), or greed |
| 1960s, 70s, or 80s, for that matter. Then, the | | | | (competitive rivalry)? Just some food for thought! |
| church was the cornerstone of the community! | | | | Once we know better; we have to do better! It |
| The church that I grew up in Sugarland, Texas is | | | | is never too late to change! |