We are blessed with lots of space at WFBC. We have plenty of room for the lost, disconnected, or disillusioned soul. We have room for the saved eager to grow in the Word and discipleship. We can see the blessing of space in every direction we look. This week, we opened what was the 2nd sanctuary for WFBC. It was built in the early 1970s and has a rich history. The space has been used sporadically over the last several years but had become dated and inefficient. For several years, the church has had a goal to repurpose and refurbish that space. It will be a multipurpose space for children, banquets, conferences, and weddings. As I’ve walked through and observed the renovations, I’ve often said how I wish the walls could speak.
The question might be asked, “Is the church sacred space?” Is the house of God inhabited by the God of the house? Are we only the church when we meet at the church? There are sweet memories for the people of God back when they had a tent in the wilderness. We read the narrative in Exodus and see God’s manifest presence hovering over the door. Eventually, they moved from a tent to the tabernacle. The tabernacle was erected in the wilderness, and it included the mercy seat and the holy of holies. The day came when God said, “I want a temple built in Jerusalem.” The second temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. and has yet to be rebuilt. The location of the Ark of the Covenant is still unknown.
In the New Testament, we see the Ekklesia mentioned for the first time in Matthew 16. The word means the called-out ones, which is translated into English as church. The church began after Pentecost to gather on the first day of the week to remember the resurrection. We believe Sunday is the Lord’s Day, so we set it aside for him. The gathering of the church did not involve a building until around 300 A.D.Think about it for a moment. There were 3000 folks baptized on Pentecost. There had to be a building to hold that many or the early church gathered in smaller groups in homes. We know it was primarily homes. If you want to read more on this, get Rosaria Butterfield’s book The Gospel Comes With A House Key.
The fact is, we are the church. This became real to me when I visited Brazil. I was invited to preach just outside of the city of Carnabal. When I arrived at the church, I found them sitting on wooden benches, a lectern resting on the dirt, as we gathered under two large trees. They had no building but worshipped Jesus like I’ll never forget.
Sometimes, people say and even pastors preach that we need to be a first century church. Do we really want to go back to no buildings? I say no! Yet today, we find significant amounts of real estate in the evangelical church. Some buildings are full, but most are small crowds to a handful. Some are paralyzed over the future of their church due to diminishing attenders. We must always be open and visionary on how we might use our facilities for the community and the kingdom. Every church must evaluate its community and see how it can plug in. I heard someone ask years ago, “If your church went out of business today, would the community even notice?”
In summary, we would still be the church if we didn't have buildings. Since we have buildings, we should use them for kingdom work. Let’s not make them museums we worship but tools for God’s work. Let’s take care of them, but not to the point of forgetting our mission.
David said, “I was glad when they said to me let us go to the house of the Lord.” I pray WFBC is always a place people are glad to attend. We are the church!