Contradiction
I have to say one thing that REALLY bothers me is when congregations spend billions of dollars on a church. An example is the one on Shackleford; I think it is Immanuel, but I'm not sure. My feelings are that you can worship anywhere, and while you need a building large enough to serve all of the congregation, wouldn't it be more Christian to spend maybe 1 or 2 million on the sick, or homeless, or destitue?
And now that I've said that, I will make a guilty confession that sometimes, when I'm sitting outside and look up over the trees on a beautiful day, and see the cross topping that billion dollar church, I do feel a little bit closer to God. It is where I go to talk to Him. I know that you can talk to Him anywhere, but that is my place.
posted by danarv @ 5:53 PM
4 comments
4 Comments:
Great post.
You've made me realize that I've been a hypocrite. For the very same reasons that you mentioned, I used to deplore the six flags over Jesus kind of church you describe. When reading your post, though, it occurred to me that I love old Cathedrals and I can't help but feel closer to God when I'm in them or looking at them. Then, I thought about how they were just the six flags over Jesus of their day.
In the end, your post, without intending to, totally changed my mind. Who am I to say how a congregation spends it's money? I guess glorifying God is as good a way as any.
That said, I still don't find huge, modern churches physically attractive.
Extremely interesting post. I must say I agree with both parts of your contradiction!
wonderful post.
wonderful scenery too!
and i often shake my head at those types of dilemnas too....
it would be interesting to hear the church's rationale for building such a large structure on top of the hill.
i must agree with citizen D... some of my most reverent momemts come in large beautiful cathedrals.
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