Wednesday, August 8, 2007

This Church Is Onto Something

I read this blog this morning and was amazed at how counter-cultural this church is being. Read the blog and look on down at the comments and you will see more details about the building campaign they are undertaking. Before you tune me out, you have to understand that they aren't building a building, but an outdoor church amphitheater, because it saved millions of dollars, and that allowed them to use that money to aid the poor and suffering. The church leaders actually pared back the building campaign because they didn't have a peace about spending that much money on themselves.

Here is the church's website that explains their building plans a little more. So the question is, would you be willing to sit in the outdoors for church in exchange for someone who doesn't have food or medicine to get their needs met? Which do you think is a higher priority for Christ? Seems like a pretty small price to pay to me. (Granted, this week would be a little hot, but maybe we could just relax the dress code a little during the summer. You know, do it for the children. Attendance at the 8:30 service might go up during the hotter months!)

I love the park idea too. The question is often raised, if you church ceased to exist would the community notice or even care. Most churches are islands, but this church is intentionally integrating itself with the community. Developing that park on the church campus would expose people to the church and give the church an easy pathway to community outreach and ministry.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Building a mini-empire is not the only option for churches. I was talking to a friend the other day that is having this discussion with his church. They have $10 million cash to build. But the question is being asked, "Is that the right thing to do.?"

This is definitely a different way of thinking.

Anonymous said...

...would you be willing to sit in the outdoors for church in exchange for someone who doesn't have food or medicine to get their needs met?

Yes, any day, and if the outdoor facility is too expensive, we could always meet at your house. ;)