2nd Opinion: Bigger barns & mega-churches

The bigger-and-better philosophy that governs American churches has created a pandemic—the building-project pandemic. In our church-style attempt to keep up with the Warrens, we pour hundreds of millions of dollars into new building funds to house bigger and better ideals. Meanwhile, on any given day, 79,000 people in Texas live on the streets. We have neglected the ramifications of our American brand of mega-church spiritism on our witness.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Texas poverty rates hover at 16 percent. Texas’ unemployment rate at the end of last year reached 8.3 percent. In the face of such devastating need, how can we justify multi-million-dollar fund-raising campaigns for churches to arbitrarily increase their building’s stature?

Jesus described a farmer with a bumper crop (Luke 12:15–21). Elated, the man immediately tears down his barns, which now seem entirely too small, and builds bigger ones to hold all this great harvest. The man thinks only of his own luck and how he can contain God’s blessing in his barn.

When we as believers receive a great harvest—people, resources—how does this parable entreat us to act? Should we build bigger and better facilities? That didn’t turn out so well for Jesus’ farmer. That night, God required his soul. God then asked who would benefit from his harvest.

Massive building projects distract the church from meeting needs and alienate people struggling to get by. Mark Jobe, lead pastor of New Life Community Church in Chicago, found an alternative. The church has planted campuses in multiple neighborhoods. Rather than trying to bring the city under one roof, New Life has expanded to 14 locations served by 18 pastors. This team meets weekly for Bible study and sermon preparation. Each preacher delivers the same message.

“We’ve opted not to go for the whole mega-church approach, bringing everybody under one big building and commuting to get there,” Jobe explained. “We start life-giving communities of faith nestled in neighborhoods all over Chicago that speak their language, that reflect their culture and try to bring transformation to that place.”

This method requires no multi-million-dollar building projects. It uses the resources God provides in each area.

The multi-site strategy has begun among Baptists in the Dallas area as well. For example, in addition to its original location, The Village Church has opened two satellite campuses. The Village acquired the building for one by merging with a church in the area. The second meets in a renovated grocery. Neither required massive construction projects. Both successfully house enthusiastic members.

Jesus suggested the farmer from the parable would have fared better if he had spread his harvest around rather than hoarding all God’s blessing under one roof. A few verses later, we read how Jesus expanded this message when he addressed his disciples. “Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, and unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys” (Luke 12:33). And a few chapters after that, the text tells us he gave a similar command to a rich young ruler who asked how he should live. Jesus answered, “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” (Luke 18:22).

Jesus made it clear we don’t all need huge church buildings. Why spend resources to build bigger churches when we can worship in smaller settings and give the surplus away?

Michelle Covington is a seminary student, freelance writer and recent International Mission Board Journeyman missionary to Bangalore, India. She lives in Itasca.