Glasgow Daily Times, Glasgow, KY

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Discussion

December 4, 2008

New church building may be necessary

BILLY GRAHAM

Q: My husband and I are upset because our church is talking about a campaign to raise an enormous amount of money for a new building. We think the old building is sufficient for our needs. The first Christians didn’t even have church buildings, did they? — Mrs. N.J.D.

A: You’re right up to a point; the first Christians were few in number and often persecuted, and only later were they able to construct church buildings. They met wherever they could — in homes, out in the open, in caves or barns, even in ruined buildings once used by other religions. Their numbers grew because of the power of the Gospel, not because they had fine buildings.

I don’t know your church’s situation, of course, but I hope you’ll listen to what your leaders say about this project. This is a serious decision, and needs to be weighed carefully and prayerfully. Sometimes, I’m afraid, churches build expensive buildings for the wrong reasons — to impress others, for example, or simply because they want to be as comfortable as possible. They also may be overlooking more urgent needs.

But sometimes the reasons are valid. For example, perhaps your present building will make it difficult for you to reach your community for Christ in 10 or 20 years. A new building won’t guarantee this, of course; the most important thing is that the Gospel is preached and people are living for Christ.

Pray that God will lead your church as you make this important decision. And if you do go ahead with a new building, be supportive and ask God to use it “so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name” (2 Chronicles 6:33).

Send your queries to “My Answer,” c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call (877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham. org.

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