As I get older, I am reminded more frequently how some of my perceptions are simply wrong. Case in point: cathedrals and churches, by which I mean the buildings. I have been in many church buildings and, especially with the older and ornate church buildings, wondered how they got built. They are typically pretty ornate and have craftsmanship that makes the building itself almost like a fine piece of furniture. The congregation, it seems to me, must have sacrificed significantly to have provided the resources to construct the building. It is likely that some gave what was highly sacrificial albeit a small amount of money, some gave highly sacrificially with what was considered a large amount of money, and many gave a comfortable amount that didn’t particularly faze them. I find many things in life are “Pareto” so I would guess 20% give sacrificially and 80% made a comfortable contribution. Somehow, the church got built.
And there is the more extravagant form of church building: cathedrals. My perception has been that lavish cathedrals are built at the expense and via the exploitation of poor people. I have seen jewels, gold, fine carpentry, exquisite stone work, and complex architectural features in many cathedrals. Isn’t that overkill? And this is my confession of incorrect perceptions. It is admittedly based on a single “experiment.”
While in San Jose, Costa Rica, taking about two hours to go 20 miles, Rodney, our driver, insisted on stopping for a snack. It was partly because the 20 mile trip took two hours but largely an excuse to take us to the Cathedral in San Jose. There, I saw jewels, gold, fine carpentry, exquisite stone work, and complex architectural features. I couldn’t help myself. I had to ask. In my characteristically tactless fashion I said something subtle, like, “How does it make you feel to see this magnificent cathedral that was built at the expense and via the exploitation of poor people?” His reply surprised me. “Oh, no, my friend. This was the opportunity for our people to give our very best to God. Some gave money for jewels and gold, some used their carpentry, stone masonry, or architectural skills. Our people gave their very best to God. We are so proud of our cathedral.”
Northstar needs its own permanent home. It is not reasonable to expect to meet in a public school indefinitely. We have been fortunate as a congregation that the school system has been so accommodating to us. It is time for Northstar to be the generation that constructs a suitable facility for our congregation. The “Cathedral,” in our case, is a Ministry Center that has been designed to be relevant to the current and future needs of our congregation and an outreach to our community. Our Ministry Center has been designed to “Be the Church” to a university community and the surrounding New River Valley. Northstar should be honored and eager to give our best to God. May God be glorified in the building process and thereafter as the Gospel message is spread. Some will give money for jewels and gold and others will use their carpentry, stone masonry, or architectural skills. Well, maybe not jewels and gold. Probably playground equipment, auditorium seating, sound and video projection systems, and the other important components of the Northstar Ministry Center. I am so grateful to those who came before us and had the vision, obedience, and tenacity to see a building project through to completion. It is our turn to give our very best to God!
