Why do christians have to have big fancy church buildings?

Question

This one is for the person who responded to my JW question about windowless churches...

With big fancy windows? Isn't the church you and I and not the wood, brick, and mortar? Not the pews, the hymn books, the pulpit, etc.

Can you imagine if we christians met like they did in ancient times, in homes etc., the amount of money free to feed the hungry, help widows and children, etc.?

Answer 1

It'll be nice to see Christians just worship out in a large field. I believe God will accept that.

Answer 2

We have a church in town if you go to their website it is a picture of their beautiful church steeple. I have gone to this church so I know they put too much attention on the looks of the church and have put way too much money into it.

The church I go to has none of this but they spend to have the ball game projected on a screen so the whole church can get together to watch the game. They have the music's songs in church displayed on a screen for our praise worship. They spend money but they spend it well. When someone joins the church they give them new leather Bibles. I just joined, these Bibles are nice with a study guide.

We don't always have our services at the church, in the summer we have a few in the park down the street. We just had an outdoor service a few weeks ago. We all brought something to sit on and the church feed everyone in the park that wished to eat. One church member was crocheting during the service and one guy brought his dog. We all get together a lot and have a lot of fun and laughs.

There are also some churches that don't have a church building, I hear of them around hear now and again.

We all pitch in and help at our church with whatever needs to be done. Not everyone gives money at my church, those that can't afford it don't give; no one in other words is going to tell someone they have to give anything. They even help out some that need help.

The church also has special events that are free to the public. If someone asks to give money we say no.

Two members just came back from missionary work this week, both were gone for about a week. One went to Vietnam to help build a play ground and the other one went to the Dominican Republic to help build a hospital for the slaves there that are denied medical of any kind. Here is the site page showing the work they are doing: http://www.drmissionteam.org and here is the page with the slide shows, http://www.drmissionteam.org/DR2007/html/default.htm showing the work that was done. Some of us give of our time and others money and some both depending on our situation.

I hope it is helpful to hear about my church, I think it is special but surely not one of a kind.

Diane

Answer 3

"Isn't the church you and I and not the wood, brick, and mortar? Not the pews, the hymn books, the pulpit, etc."

Absolutely.

And the small groups are an integral part as well but His Word says not to forsake the assembling of the saints. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

God does not look down on huge edifices built in His name. Look at Solomon's temple for example. The resources and manpower utilized are mind boggling.

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/The_Temple.html

Answer 4

Why does the rich sinners have big fancy homes and cars....God made these things for comfort and enjoyment. Abraham was rich. Solomon was rich filthy rich. The richest in the history of the Bible. Bill Gates.Donald Trump...movie stars and singers or rich artist are rich....God finances his kingdom through us being rich. If you were poor who can you do anything for the kingdom of God? He said the wealth of the sinner is layed up for the poor...we need to pray to be good stewards of God's blessings. Heaven is not a poor thoughts streets of gold....oceans of clear glass.Mansions built for us. Jesus became poor so we could be rich.Does the world think that way; those that have, want more and use it for their lust. We set a poor example for the richness of God...if he did give us millions we would fight each other worse than others. Falling into greed and sin. Consider this. God provides for the lost and down hearted and he gives us to do just that, but he also wants to bless us to be a blessing. The rich have parties and donate supplies to any organization they please and them that are generous get richer...God blesses the giver. We can not help to be blessed if we do what God says. Jeremiah 29:11 He will prosper his people. God wants us to look better than the world does in their giving.

Answer 5

the church building is set aside specifically for worship when a congregation is grows too large to worship in a private home. A church building holds offices for the minister (especially for dealing with the public at large), classrooms for teaching the children and for Bible studies, and usually a big common room w/ kitchen for fellowship meals.
Usually when the churches get fancy, it is because some members of the congregation donate out of their own pocket because of their love of God and the want of making the santuary a peaceful place of worship.

Answer 6

Emperor, you may be a new Christian but you sure have a lot of good common sense. I couldn't agree with you more. When I look for a church, (which I've pretty much given up on) I always look for one with a humble building. That says alot to me about what the people are like inside.

Answer 7

That is not necessaily True.....Many Catholic churches in the city have large gothic looking catherdrals, but MANY are without the fancy, pipe organs, beautiful windows.....I for one being disabled would Love to have worship and meetings within my home...
They use to have what was called weekly "Bible Studies" in peoples homes, but they are slowly being done away with..Too much effort and not enough real worship.....
I love the old fashioned Country Churches, in which I grew up, nothing fancy, but Powerful in reverence the way it should be...

Answer 8

We have a normal looking building call ed a Kingdom Hall for everyone to worship. We don't do fancy stuff like churches.And we help more than we are credited for because people don't want to admit a Jehovah Witness helped them.

Answer 9

I've been in two of the largest churches in the world, St. Peter in Rome and St. Sophia (now is a moske) in Istanbul. They are HUGE buildings, build by churches (Catholic and Orthodox) to show how God is big and how the individual is small. It is a psychological thing. You got to go there and feel for yourself how small you are.

Answer 10

We don't have to...actually, I can't remember the verse, but Jesus said not to...but we didn't listen to Him.

Christians are not the only religions that have fancy buildings. Look at Mosques and some eastern religion temples.

It's just a way to say "Hey, we're here and we're staying."