A couple of weeks ago Kim & I went to see a movie in a refurbished building here in town.  In fact, it was the old building that used to be the home of the church I pastor.  Just in case you don’t know this already, in July of 2005 we moved from the old downtown church building that had been home to this church family since 1929.  It was a difficult decision, but after much prayer and research it was determined that it would be more costly to remain in the old building than to relocate and building something new.  There were issues of accessibility, code compliances and space issues to name just a few of the determining factors.  After a long journey of looking for land to build on, planning what the new building would be like and the actual construction process itself, our church has a new home on the west side of town.

Interesting thing though, people keep asking me what I think about what they’ve done to the old church.  I have learned that not everyone means the same thing when they ask that question.  Some people are asking what I think about the cosmetic changes, like the new stucco on the outside of the building.  They are curious about whether I like the changes.  Others aren’t talking cosmetics at all.  They want to know what I think about an old church building being transformed into a place of business.  The old building is now home to two movies screens, and soon a tanning salon and various other business ventures.  I have quickly learned that some people have some rather strong opinions on this issue.  Some feel it verges on being sacrilegious to take a “church” and do these other things in it.

So, what do I think?  Well, I like the cosmetic changes.  I was a skeptic during the process of covering the old brick, but the finished product looks great.  I think they took an old building and improved its looks significantly.  At the same time they did all of their improvements without losing the unique character of the old building.

What about using this old “church” for new things?  Should we be concerned about that?  Well, I wouldn’t want to see it used for anything immoral.  The new owner plans for The Blackhawk Plaza to be a family friendly place, so that doesn’t seem to be a concern.  You see, when it comes right down to it, the building is not the church.  It is a place where the church meets.  The church is a group of disciples of Jesus Christ who join together to seek the purposes of God together.  Granted, there are inevitably some emotional connections to the building a church calls home.  Important events take place there.  People meet with God there; significant times of worship, emotional and often life changing decisions take place there.  People are baptized, married, and memorial services take place there.  So, it is normal and appropriate for us to connect great memories to such a place.  But, is it wrong in any sense for something new to take place there after we move to a new home?  No, it’s not.  In fact, I would rather something take place there that adds value to our community than for the building to sit empty and be unused. 

Actually I believe it is more wrong for those of us who are followers of Jesus Christ to allow inappropriate things to take place in and around our bodies.  After all we learn in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)  ¹⁹ Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰ you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.  The building is not the temple, we are.  Wouldn’t it be a tragedy to be more concerned with what happens to an old building than we are with what takes place in our body, where the Holy Spirit of God lives? 

So, next time you drive by a church building, remember, we are the church, not that building.  God doesn’t live in buildings made by men, but rather in the hearts of His children.  So, honor God with your temple.