A Different Message

Should a church be first about building a building, or should its first concern be ministry for the needy? This question is often asked of congregations, and even by congregations; especially when money is being sought to build or maintain a building. But this question creates a false dichotomy. The Bible does not call us to make a choice between these two ideals. As the Prophet Haggai makes clear, both things are required. Serving God by building a place for worship, and serving God by serving the poor, are two sides of the same coin; they are both done to serve God, and both are needed to serve God.