1 Peter 2:4-5 "As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house[a] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
So for some background, I live in a small community of about 3500, in this small community we have approxiamately 10 different churches in town. Of these churches to my knowledge only about 2 of them aren't struggling finacially. Amoung these churches we have a ministerial Alliance which is suppose to consist of every pastor in town to work together for the work of the Kingdom of which only 3 of the pastors are a part of. Now I have usually always gone to smaller churches and it always seemed that its survival was almost strictly based on getting money scrounged up for the building essentials such as water, electricity, gas, rent, etc. In this small community not many are church goers and so that throws another wrench in the machinery. So after telling you all of this, what's my point you may ask?
My point is this why the building? What is the significance of it? No disrespect but people say this is the "house of God" I have even made this comment but this is terribly unscriptural. WE are the house, not a building made of wood and stone, WE are the temple of the Holy Ghost! People make silly comments that just don't line up with the Word like this ground is Holy Ground because its in a church building, UGH Its a BUILDING! What I mean is this the building is an inanimate object and can be used for Holy things or unholy things but it certainly can't retain holiness of its own but is dependent on those entering that place. Simply put I can use a brick to build a wonderful life giving hospital or I can chuck that brick through a window and rob the place. Does this make the brick good or bad? No its neutral because its dependent on the use of the person weilding the brick.
However to stay on point, for me the building is quite dependent on the Church itself, what aggravates me about the church building is the fact that in these small communities the congregation can barely support the builing let alone the people that could truly use help. Thousands of dollars go the idol we know as church buildings while our brothers and sisters in Christ across the sea are struggling and at times straving while we sit comfortably in our Heated/AC church. My heart breaks for those that get turned away from the church simply because the church can't afford to help. Not to mention when Money becomes and issue men get ugly and filled with fear. We as men always think of the Physical while however while Christ was on the Earth His Focus was always the Spiritual Kingdom wouldn't it make sense that His Church would be a Spiritual one as well?
I know that not everyone agrees with the House Church however I believe if you can't support a building and support All functions of ministry then its unwise. Saying all of this I acknowledge that a Church building can be a wonderful tool of ministry when used properly. Anyways saying all of this whether you go to a building to worship God or simply worship God at your house with Christian Brothers and Sisters keep your eyes on the Lamb and Seek His Kingdom first and foremost.
Love you all,
Matthew