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It was Winston Churchill who once said "We build our buildings and then our buildings build us", and this is never more apparent than in the church. We have inherited buildings designed for a form of community and a style of worship which no longer adequately adapts to the culture of our times. The way we are seated, the elevation and separation of leaders, the placement of musicians, the symbols and icons employed... all speak a powerful message to the congregation and places a powerful limitation on the ways in which we interact as a community.
At The Eighth Day, we are confronting this challenge in a very practical way. The original church building, constructed in the 19th century, was demolished in 1962. It was, at the time, the oldest church building in the area: built of bluestone. The cost of upkeep was becoming too much, and a council overlay meant it could well be demolished to construct a freeway. The church met in a local house until the present building was constructed in 1989. But now we are bulging at the seams.
This creates a challenge. Do we extend? Rent or buy another property? I have to admit I dislike dealing with such issues, an aversion reflected in Churchill's comment. We are aware of the subtle shift which takes place from care about people to care about property. While we can also positively create a new space which provides new opportunities, we will also unwittingly shape our community. Will it be for good or ill?
Church buildings... are they a blessing, a curse, or both?
Posted by gary at February 25, 2005 02:20 PM
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