SO WHAT MAKES A BUILDING A CHURCH?
Did you ever stop and think about what makes a building a good place to worship God?
Thought Provoking Questions
- What are the essential elements necessary to make a building a church? As you drive down the street, or think about the all the different churches you have been inside, what are the requirements?
- Do you think the building in the picture to the right would qualify? Does it have the essential elements necessary?
- If there is prayer, singing, sharing of God's Word and fellowship, is it worship?
- Could this be the church building the DOOR-Africa Deaf staff person was SO PROUD of … and eager to show us?
Each Sunday, a group of Deaf Kenyans are excited and thrilled to walk to their own “house of worship.” On the dirt floor hand-crafted benches set along the outside walls allowing everyone to see each other communicate in their “heart language” - Sign Language. With no electricity, the only light is the sun shining between the boards. Through rhythm and motion the Deaf “sing” (sign) praises to God. The steady beat of the African drum reaches out to the community through the walls. With open eyes the Deaf watch the person praying who is using lifted hands signing in prayer to God. God’s Word is shared in Kenya Sign Language (KSL) using full body expression. The story is reinforced with a drama and song. Everyone participates. Discussion follows. It's TRUE WORSHIP!
THE CHURCH IS THE PEOPLE,
NOT THE BUILDING THEY MEET IN!
"Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
John 4:23 & 24