We were celebrating a special occasion that took place in a church building. While awaiting for this beautiful event to begin, I walked around the building to pass a little time. I took some pictures of some things that just perplexed me. Now, just to be clear on this, you have to understand my working definition of church. I have come to understand that the "church" is really made up of people who have strive to be one in mind and heart under the leadership of Jesus and His teachings. A word picture that sums it up would be that of a body where the people make up the various parts to the body and Jesus serves as the Head.
So now on to the first picture. I have blurred the name as the person whose name is there may not have had any say in the matter. This really perplexes me. Where does honoring one another that the Bible says we should do cross the line? In this building, the purpose of it was designed to be a place where believers come together to worship. What purpose does it serve to name portions of the building after mere men? Let me just add this. I picked up one of their newsletters and found that this atrium connects the old building to a new multi-purpose building in which they fell short of $1.7 MILLION. They were contemplating a 10 or 20 year loan to repay the DEBT.
So now there is pressure (dare I say, bondage to the lender) to make sure there is enough money to pay back the loan. For the next 10 or 20 years, how many times will the people here a message, be begged to give more money, to pay for a building? Instead of helping people in need or focusing on helping people grow spiritually, there will be a huge focus on maintaining members and givers to alleviate the debt. Does this perplex anyone else?
Let me say once again, I am not judging anyone's hearts or motives. I just think people have lost sight of what the "church" really is, and many people are not finding their desire to grow spiritually being met by attending the services held in these buildings.
I may post some other pics I took of things in the building that bothered me a bit as well.
