This was a massive building. Like huge. It happens to be in Texas, which I guess means that it is taking the motto of Texas seriously. This was a huge, brand new, sterile, yet charming place of worship. It looked more like a hunting lodge to me than a church.
My mind started to spin with reactions. Is this wasteful? Is this really important? How has our culture in America influenced the church enough that we feel that this is important and necessary? The more I started to ask those questions, the more upset I was getting.
And then came the question of the day: Does God get angry with this type of building?
I think we have seen through history that God has blessed some large buildings, but he has also reacted terribly to others (i.e. Tower of Babel). But I think that those reactions were not based on the buildings themselves, but rather the intentions behind the building.
But the sheer amount of money that went into that building is flabbergasting. I don't know what it cost, but it could not have been cheap, and there seem to be some bigger issues out there than building a brand new, amazing, awe inspiring building that this type of money could have been poured into.
I share my reaction because I am not really sure what to think about it. I had my gut reaction, but at the same time, the argument could be made why this is a good thing. It will continue to be something to think about.
Wes,
ReplyDeleteI share your sentiments. I have struggled with the same questions concerning Pastors' salaries, Seminary degrees, and stage lighting. If nothing else, we must hold these things in tension. It's like trying to identify with the poor while driving a Ferrari...
Tony Campolo said, "there's nothing wrong with making a lot of money, there's something wrong with keeping it." When a church building costs enough to meet the needs of an entire community, I think it is safe to say that there's something wrong with that.
There's something to the concept of environment. The Church needs churches. And in order to reach people we need to create environments that reflect the extravagant welcome of the Church. But herein lies the problem. Because our environments shape us spiritually. Because The spaces in which we gather and the styles in which we worship have a way of training our souls, we must have a handle on what we're shaping ourselves toward. We must have a handle on WHY we're here in order get to the "how" and "what" of the matter. Therefore, disciplined theological reflection is a necessary spiritual discipline for architects as well as Pastors (I'm afraid neither occupation has high enough standards in this discipline). The environment (read space, polity, and style) of the Church is it's implicit message to the world. You need your implicit message to harmonize with your explicit message. Don't bother talking about the incarnation if you don't cultivate environments of community. Don't think about suggesting "good news to the poor" if your building screams out, "I don't care about you!" Perhaps Joel Osteen's building matches his message... But Rick Warren should be conflicted... explains why Bart Campolo and Shane Claiborne don't even have buildings. Know your message, know what your God is like, and you'll know what your building should look like.
Sorry... I guess I could just go and go on this topic. Thanks for sharing your candid reaction.
Deep Wes Ellis. I could almost follow you! I agree with the tension. God wanted His people to build a incredible temple that displayed His glory. And yet for decades the Tabernacle was in a goatskin tent. God is not short of cash. But He does want us to glorify him with everything we have and are.
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