Christian Living
Every Sunday at 10 am millions of Christians meet in church buildings. Why? Because traditionally it is so. Some of these congregations are in large, expensive auditoriums.
Do we need to have “church” in a building at all? In these days of technological advance the answer is no.
As it is, much time and effort is spent in gathering funds to purchase bigger and better meeting places. Usually it is an old warehouse which can cost a million or more. Then it requires a weekly and monthly financial outlay for city hall rates, electricity, a vast array of musical instruments, sound equipment, installation of lights, and other expenses associated with a huge building. It might be used twice a week at most. Is this what following Jesus is about? Surely not.
Sometimes millions of dollars are spent to feed what can sometimes be simply a humanistic desire to be bigger and better. “Look at us, we’re the biggest church in the city!” Imagine the effect if those millions of dollars spent on a building were spent in spreading the gospel.
How would this happen? A congregation of say 500 with home fellowship groups meeting in midweek could easily do the same on Sunday. Instead of the pastor standing in the building Sunday morning delivering his message it could be done by video. Recorded during the week before a camera, then copies made and one delivered to each home group leader in time for the Sunday screening. In most congregations someone has a modern video camera, and most homes have a video recorder. If not, borrow one.
Such a change would have huge benefits in terms of church growth. Many non-believers are apprehensive about fronting up in a church building. They don’t know the routine, and when they get there spend the best part of two hours gazing at someone’s neck. Yet invite them to a “Jesus home meeting” (no need to mention “church”) and they’re more likely to enjoy it. They would be in a social environment where everyone sits in a circle without the starchiness of formal “church.”
Another plus is that on Sunday morning people have less to distract them, and single people especially find Sunday morning a very lonely time. Home meetings are also more informal.
The format can be similar to the traditional Sunday am meetings in a building but it will be more people-oriented, and it’s much easier for ten people to get to know each other than 500. There is more opportunity for discussion and in meeting people’s needs, eg specific prayer and laying on of hands for individuals.
As for spiritual oversight, the senior pastor can still do that. Firstly by way of the video messages, second by meeting the home groups by rotational visit. His deputy could assist in this.
Such a change in outlook would revolutionize the Christian faith, would be more individually satisfying, and would rechannel dollars into more meaningful ministry in reaching the lost millions outside the church walls.
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you said here, for there
are millions of dollars
being spent, that don't
further the gospel. It is
also true about the
intimate personal needs
questions, of each individual being met. You
make some excellent points here. In CHRIST