It’s altogether easy to forget that someone actually had to put up money to pay for the buildings we use each week to praise and worship. Sanctuary, parish hall, education building, youth room, Sunday School class, nursery. They all had to be planned out, designed and then constructed. All of that takes time and money. My church has had to think about these things for the last two years as we recover from a fire that destroyed the interior of our sanctuary. Thankfully, the building’s outer walls remain, as well as the other buildings on our campus.
But, it really made me think. Even though some of the church’s original members still worship there, we never talked about what it took for them to start a church and eventually build it. Now, I have the opportunity and, as I see it, it’s a blessing to know what it means to offer not only my prayers, but also my checkbook, to build up the church. Literally. It’s really not that hard when you see that in order to worship and grow your ministry, it will often require money as well as time.
My wife and I are glad that we can contribute to the building fund in addition to our usual tithe. While some may not feel the same way, we can at least think about the faith it takes to build something expecting others to come. I can truly say that only God can give you that sort of confidence. There has to be a healthy amount of faith mixed in with the mortar in any church.