Buildings & Churches

Mark 13:2

“And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

I distinctly remember riding down the McDowell Creek Road with Kelly behind me, topping the rise and seeing this beautiful Catholic Church sitting in the middle of the valley. Built of limestone rock it set serenely in the midst of the valley, from a distance the beauty of place and form struck, but when you drew close the truth became evident. It was dilapidated and had been unused for quite some time, the roof was in need of repair, as well as interior renovations. The large Catholic families that had farmed the area simply didn’t need the building anymore.

Emmanuel United Methodist Church was a thriving Christian community. It had three services, all of which were well attended, and I believe total attendance was around six hundred while I was attending. Talk quickly turned to a new building that could better meet the needs of this large congregation. The charismatic Pastor was drawing a crowd. Funds were raised and the church moved to a new facility better equipped. As Pastors go and come, the vitality of the church never reached that fevered pitch again. A different church (assembly of believers) was able to take the old building and continues to use it. Talking with some of my relatives that are still in Abilene, I am struck by how many “regularly visit” the new church in the old building. The theology is different, the ecclesiology is different, all that is the same is the building (maybe even the carpet), yet they go to the old building.

Neither of these buildings match the grandeur and historic place of Notre Dame. Yet, as I listen to multitudes mourn, weep, and pledge millions to rebuild, I am struck with the question why? The Disciples had just come from the temple. They had seen all that Jesus had seen; they had watched him drive out the money changers. Yet, his judgment and prophecy against the temple cut them to the core. Right worship had not occurred and Jeremiah had made it plain in his prophecy against the first temple, God wants right worship more than nice buildings (Jeremiah 7:4). As I look at the images of old churches rotting through out our countryside the same sadness overtakes me. Seeing and remembering what strong faith had once ruled our county. I mourn with the French people, but mostly because they cry for a building and not for the absence of a true church within it. Even as they loved the beauty of their skyline, and of the architecture, they had no use for the Church that built it. Nor do they still. They mourn with tears the loss of a building, a fire claimed it, and do not quake with fear at the knowledge that the eternal soul they bare is bound for a similar fate.

Let us cling to the cross and to church, but never let us cling to and cry for buildings. Cry for the immortal souls that live next to you who will not hear, because we will not speak. Are we broken for our neighbors, or just sad for empty pews?

Coram Deo