You would be correct about that...
While I don't mind having a nice building to serve the church, I think the "trappings" should be minimal.. for utility, rather than beauty, or style.
I believe one of the main things a church should do is benevolence work. If a church is not doing that, I will not be a part of it. I used to be the "point man" for our benevolence outreach, for 5 or 6 years, and was happy that the elders were always ready to meet a genuine need, even if the benevolence fund was dry (which happened more than once...)
I finally had to take a sabbatical, as it was beginning to wear on me, and I could sense a lessening of empathy on my part... so I had to let others step in, with less jaded attitudes.
Anyway, long story... in order to say that I agree with you. A church's focus shouldn't be "things"... it should be on helping people.
While I don't mind having a nice building to serve the church, I think the "trappings" should be minimal.. for utility, rather than beauty, or style.
I believe one of the main things a church should do is benevolence work. If a church is not doing that, I will not be a part of it. I used to be the "point man" for our benevolence outreach, for 5 or 6 years, and was happy that the elders were always ready to meet a genuine need, even if the benevolence fund was dry (which happened more than once...)
I finally had to take a sabbatical, as it was beginning to wear on me, and I could sense a lessening of empathy on my part... so I had to let others step in, with less jaded attitudes.
Anyway, long story... in order to say that I agree with you. A church's focus shouldn't be "things"... it should be on helping people.