Our church just had to vacate an old building walled completely with friable asbestos and black mold. We are looking to find something affordable to replace it. I think I finally found the answer—maybe. You be the judge.
Jeff JohnsonFor the second time in a three-year period, as I traveled through the Metro-mess, I saw an inflatable church. I looked into it, and for about 40 grand (my best estimate), we can have a lovely Gothic church. No kidding! The problem? This building is a balloon.
Apparently the world’s first inflatable church made its debut in 2004 in England. Its creator hoped it would “breathe new life into Christianity.” (I’m sure no pun intended). It apparently was featured on CNN and other media outlets. How did I miss this? Here is a whole church designed to fit in the back of a truck.
When I told my wife about my life-altering discovery, all she did was roll her eyes and ask, “Can you jump in it like a bouncy-house, and does it have a bathroom?”
I am trying to imagine myself walking through the gray Gothic archway, entering a worship space that looks like a cross between a monastery and a moon-bounce. Imagine “jumping for Jesus” in a Baptist balloon. I probably would get kicked out of the Baptist General Convention of Texas for being too charismatic. I just need to remember to remind the flock to leave sharp objects at home. So why on earth am I speaking in a sedentary sanctuary?
There is tremendous value in thinking about church as a local body of believers that refuses to get sidetracked by worries about the condition of its bricks and mortar. I am always looking for creative ways participate in unique opportunities to share the gospel beyond the bricks and mortar.
I drove by the “inflate-church” site again—just to see it again. Wouldn’t you know it had moved? What’s an inflate-church follower to do when his church moves too quickly and leaves no forwarding address? I was deflated.
There happened to be a brochure in my front seat: “30 Ways $1,000 Can Make A Difference.” It was a list from the BGCT staff of special opportunities that would cost only $1,000 to do.
For 30 years now, our Texas Baptist Missions Foundation has been all about helping local churches and ministries accomplish their mission through raising funds to do ministry beyond the bricks and mortar of the local church building. Foundation President Bill Arnold would love to talk to you about how you and your church can participate in sharing the gospel beyond the walls of your church.
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When the Lord is on the move, I don’t want to be “left behind.” I am thinking a financial commitment of $1,000 to help a vital Texas Baptist outreach like volunteer chaplains for oilfield ministry is better than 40 grand for an inflatable church. Besides, I just found out our insurance won’t even cover a bouncy house for our Fall Festival, much less Baptist Balloon Church.
Jeff Johnson is president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and pastor of First Baptist Church in Commerce.
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