This isn't really meant for a discussion on religion per say, so wanted to post this here in the general thread.

 

First the question. What are your thoughts on a church spending large sums of money on buildings/facilities?

 

Reason I ask...we had an employee day picnic yesterday at a very nice, new facility that a local church has built. It would make any recreation facility/YMCA green with envy. Huge gym space with 2 full court floors with lots of room to spare. 2 weight rooms. Workout/dance/aerobic room. Big track circles the facility. Music room, rec room, class rooms up stairs and offices kitchen/banquet room on the lower level. This thing is nice, and I'm sure costs multiple millions of dollars.

 

Most everyone knows about Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, can't miss it driving in on I64, comically referred to by some as "Six Flags over Jesus". My small country church built a gym about 8 years ago and though no where near the example above, it was a big step for us.

 

So, how about these facilities and the money it costs to build? Should that money have gone somewhere else? What are the pros and cons in creating such a facility?

Jesus, never said build a gym. I think things like that while nice are a misuse of people's money, unless of course it's open to everyone in the community. Then it can be the first time someone comes in contact with the church. If it's not being used for outreach then it's bad.

I understand, on the surface, the cons that some have with things such as this...and yes I believe that maybe it can go a bit overboard. But here are some pros that I have personally seen from what we did.

 

Opens/creates opportunities to some that didn't have before.

Safe environment in which to go, especially for children.

Helps attract those that may otherwise passed by.

Can offer more to the membership/community.

 

When discussing this, here is the big con that I think is brought up the most.

 

That money could have gone elsewhere to help the poor/needy.

 

Well...hard to argue with that logic. When you have church's spending millions of dollars on facilities like this...lets just say $5 million for a nice round figure...man that much money could probably build several orphanages/churches/clinics in 3rd world countries and fund/run them for quite a while. So sometimes I battle with this myself.

 

But, when I also see what our little facility has done and how it has helped the church grow and given opportunities to kids (basketball program) I know that the money we spent on that was well spent.

Jesus, never said build a gym. I think things like that while nice are a misuse of people's money, unless of course it's open to everyone in the community. Then it can be the first time someone comes in contact with the church. If it's not being used for outreach then it's bad.

 

I think that's the whole purpose, using it for outreach. That's what we do. If it's being built for the sole purpose so it's members can have a good time, then I would agree. I don't think that's happening...but it could.

Jesus, never said build a gym. I think things like that while nice are a misuse of people's money, unless of course it's open to everyone in the community. Then it can be the first time someone comes in contact with the church. If it's not being used for outreach then it's bad.

 

Jesus never said a lot of things but doesn't mean we shouldn't do them, we just have to make sure they are in line with his message as a whole.

 

Athletics and other social activities can be very good for building fellowship among members, keeping members involved and (as you mentioned) a way to introduce the faith to those without faith in a less intimidating way that attending service if that makes sense.

 

Now, some of these church facilities that compare well to the Taj Mahal (I think I spelled that right), I do think those go too far. I know many at Southeast Christian state how nice their facilities are is the "carrot" that brings many to check out their church which, on the surface makes some since but I often wonder how often such nice facilities simply pulled people from other fine churches who did have the resources of Southeast? I don't know.

As long as it's voted on by those in the church, I have no issue with it, it's mostly their money to decided what the church should do with it.

I have no issues with it.

 

If our parish asked for money to build a new church or to remodel (which happened about 10 years ago), I'm contributing. If they asked for that same amount of money to build a clinic in a third world country, I'm still giving them something, but it won't be nearly as much. May not be right, but I'm being honest.

If it's used as a form of outreach and the members get some enjoyment using it too that's cool. Good for them. Anything to help spread the word I'm cool with.

Time will tell. It is much easier to look over 5 years and see if God was working through the activities associated with that building...or not.

It's about the people, not the steeple.

It's about the people, not the steeple.

 

Which means...?

Which means...?

 

It's poetry man. Interpret it as you wish.

It's poetry man. Interpret it as you wish.

 

Not a fan of poetry myself.:meh:

I think this is the trend currently. It tends to draw a demographic to it that can support it, and potentially do even greater works because of their larger base. Small country churches are struggling to keep numbers and certainly not a lot of younger people that I can see. If the base congregation can afford the operational overhead and it builds your base, I think it's a gift for all.

As long as it's voted on by those in the church, I have no issue with it, it's mostly their money to decided what the church should do with it.

 

As long as members of the congregation vote on it, and have been fully apprised on how much it will cost vis-a-vis what the congregation can afford, I don't see the issue.