Creative Church Buildings…What Do You Think?
HLF – St Paul Old Ford from Hunter Gatherer on Vimeo.
Watch this video then tell me what you think?
The use of the building…
The funds used to do it…
Is this a good thing or not?
This is a church that some of our college students worked with during the Olympics. They were impressed with the people and their vision for outreach. It impresses me also.
It did raise some questions for me though. For example, is this precedent setting for what we may see in years to come in the United States? I know a lot of churches that are declining in numbers. They have more building space than people to use and upkeep. Could this be a future option here? I know some churches who are getting more creative with how they use their space. I like that part of this.
I love public use of church buildings. I am advocating that more for the church I pastor. It makes sense. It brings people who may never come otherwise into the church building. It gives the general public an appreciation for the church buildings and gives the church people encounters with unchurched people.
I am wondering, however, what happens when outside funds…even government (lottery) funds keep the doors open? I do see concerns with that. Does it make a difference that these are lottery funds? What ramifications do you see? What problems? What opportunities?
Do we treat our church buildings as too sacred…or not sacred enough?
I’m just thinking and wrestling with what these type arrangements mean for the church long-term.
What do you think?
