Are Buildings Alive?

"One if by land, and two if by sea." The historic reference is to the Old North Church in Boston where two lanterns were used to convey the movements of the British troops in April of 1775 while America struggled for her independence.

Until now, the half million yearly visitors to the famous spot saw only two dimly lit lanterns using incandescent bulbs which frequently burned out. Those have been replaced by a modern LED setup that lasts nearly 25 times longer, gives off more light and creates less damaging heat to the surrounding walls of the precious landmark. Other subtle lighting changes have also been made to the famous church that is still home to an active congregation.

Ed Pignone, executive director of the Old North Foundation of Boston, which oversees the 285-year-old church, said of the upgrades, "Churches are organic. They're not frozen in time. They're living buildings."

While it is obvious what Mr. Pignone meant by the above words, biblically speaking churches are 'living' and 'organic' only when applied to the people who make them up. A quick study of the New Testament church reveals that God always considered His church as being comprised of His saints - those called out of the world by saving faith in His Son. The book of Ephesians gives one of the best overall descriptions of the true church, and its head Jesus Christ. And yet it never mentions any man-made building. When letters were written to a New Testament church in some location, it was always addressed to the corporate gathering of Christian believers there. Back then, most church groups met in private homes since structures specifically built for Christian worship had not yet come into being.

In Colossians 1:18 the Apostle Paul, speaking of Christ says, "And He is the head of the body, the church." The body of believers is the 'living' and 'organic' church. Where the body meets, and in what structure they gather, is ultimately insignificant. The issue is only that they are in Christ and follow the basic pattern of the early church in Acts 2:41-42. "Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers."

Today's buildings of worship can be a great tool to reach those on the outside who don't know Christ and a blessing to those on the inside who do. But the true church of the living God has been, and always will be, about the people - not about a place!

Bill Breckenridge