Editor's note: As with growing economy in China, a "church-planting fever" has gradually risen in some origins. Some plant churches because there is not enough space for the size of congregations or gathering sites having become dangerous houses. While some churches are planted not out of demand so it is rare for people to go to church and this ends up costing millions of Yuan. Moreover, in the process of planting, scandals regarding the corruption of some religious leaders are exposed. So how should we treat church planting? This passage introduces the opinion of a grass-root preacher living in Henan.
Recently it has gotten me puzzled that locals are planting churches everywhere! A poor village builds a church costing hundreds of thousands Yuan, a county wants to build one worth millions, a town worth ten million, and a city over ten million, when actually many are idle, useless houses. This kind of construction wastes resources of God's family and hinders the development of the Gospel for tired Christians (who are bearing too much burden) who don't have the physical strength, energy, and wealth to preach the Gospel. (A ministry that turns things upside down must not have come from God.)
I'm wondering why church leaders value excessive expansion of churches rather invest on their church's spiritual life. Training workers and supplying them is not as evident as building churches. Maybe it is the result of what those people want that discloses itself, to make people worship them and fulfill their ideals.
I support building churches only when it is in God's will and under the circumstances that the church members need. I oppose building a giant church with only 3 to 5 members. These people praise themselves and fight for their ideals.
Building the Tabernacle and temple are things that used to be under God's guidance in different conditions in Biblical history. We should return to the Bible to see these situations.
Teachings through Moses-Building the Tabernacle is God's command (Exodus 25:1-9, 36:1-7)
Building the Tabernacle is God's command and is only meant for God's glory. When Moses conveyed God's command and unfolded God's blueprint in front of the Israelite, every skilled person and material needed came. To our surprise, the people brought so many offerings that Moses gave an order to ask them to stop offerings because they already had more than enough material.
Wisdom from David---How to build a temple in economic depression (1 Chronicles 17:1-6, 22:5-9)
David is a king after God's heart. He intended to build a house for God but God wanted his son Solomon to build it. God wanted to give Solomon rest from enemies on his every side and provide for a rich national economy that made it only appropriate to build a temple. Although David couldn't build a temple for God immediately, God ordered him to prepare the material needed elaborately.
Experience learning from David:
1. If the church is going through a economic depression, one of the reason might be that members have immature spiritual lives and therefore need to be fed.
2. God blessed his people. When churches lack money, leaders should be more faithful to God and leaders can't go their own way to build churches. We should remember the way God taught David that we can store up until enough funds are saved.
If churches can follow the teachings from the Bible regarding the matter of building, their economy won't depress, members won't be discouraged, churches don't have to beg, and the world won't despise or laugh at churches. God can be greatly glorified.
In the future, congregation from every side who will attend dedication ceremonies of churches will surely see God's great power and feel touched. And a beautiful testimony will definitely blossom everywhere.
About the author: James, born in Luoyang, who was called by God in 2006, is a fourth- generation Christian and a third-generation preacher. He serves in grassroots church.
