How Much Is Too Much?
- 05.17.10
- Church, Missional Church
- 8 Comments
At what point is too much too much? I recently heard about the massive $130 million building campaign of First Baptist Church of Dallas, and my mind immediately went to this question. It was just announced that the church (founded in 1868) will launch one of the nation’s largest church construction projects, aiming to transform its downtown campus.
The plan calls for tearing down five buildings and keeping the 1890s-era sanctuary. The centerpiece is going to be a new 3,000-seat glass-front sanctuary that will be connected by a sky bridge to a six-story education building. A major feature will be a fountain topped by a cross. One of the pastors was quoted as saying that the church plans to be a spiritual oasis in the heart of the city.
Is it me, or am I missing something? I like the idea of a church striving to establish itself as a “spiritual oasis” in the heart of a city, but does it take a $130 million building to do that? Can’t a church be a spiritual oasis without spending so much money on its facilities? I’m fine with spending money on church buildings, but $130 million?!
Seems to me that what a city like Dallas (or any other city for that matter) needs is a church willing to spend that kind of money not on its facility but on the people of the city. Much needed jobs could be developed, low-income homes could be refurbished, single mothers could be assisted, college scholarships could be established for students with no chance of attending college otherwise – all in the name of Jesus.
And with the kind of money that First Baptist Church of Dallas has at their disposal, imagine the “oasis” a church like that would be if they used a large portion of that money to redeem the lives of people rather than build an insanely expensive church facility.
Interesting, is it possible they have done studies that are telling them they will be able to reach the culture of Dallas with a facility like that? I’m with you, I can’t imagine spending that kind of money when there are so many other possibilities (in my mind) on reaching the lost wit that money. It’s sad how so many opt for a building to be the beacon of Light in the community instead of the church (Body of Christ).
I think they need to spend that money at Slusher’s Jewelry in Van Wert, OH.!!!
…maybe they’ll build low-income housing and soup kitchens right into the design of the building? And all the extra money will simply go for soup?
Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”
A church up in Colorado was looking to build a permanent facility after meeting in schools for several years. They then found they could build 100 churches in South America for the cost of a new building in the Denver area. Just think how many churches $130 million would build.
Why do I feel like that church just punched a hole in my stomach? I agree, the money could totally be put to better use than a re-vamped building.
Why do I feel like that church just punched a hole in my stomach? I agree, the money could totally be put to better use than a re-vamped building.
It’s all relative. Many people think we spend way too much money on “stuff” for our building that we could be using for other needs. It all depends on who thinks it is “needed”. I have seen both sides of this picture coming from a mega-church with over 30 million dollars of debt, to a small Baptist church that had no debt and now to Foothills where we have moderate debt. Personally, I like no debt the best.