Air Conditioning or Reuphostler the Pews?

One of the biggest criticisms of the evangelical church today is that it is too self-interested. Didn't Jesus teach "whatever you do for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matt. 25:40)? Non-believers, of course, are quick to point out the hypocrisy of Christians--we bear the name of Christ but do not follow his teachings about love for our fellow human beings. In fact, sometimes the biggest and most important decisions are whether to air-condition our church sanctuaries or replace the upholstery on our church pews/chairs. While the condition of church buildings is not unimportant, it is exactly at this point that our fellow Haitian brothers and sisters can instruct us. Church is not about making us comfortable, it is about equipping us to serve our God and his world. So many Haitian churches, like the one pictured above (Villadewoz Christian Reformed Church), have so little. In fact, Villadewoz church doesn't even have a roof. It meets under a blue tarp! And yet Haitian churches like Villadewoz are so interested in worship of God and the proclamation of his Word, that they are willing to forego many material needs to see that goal achieved. If the church of North America wants to grow in numbers and influence, it must set aside self-interest and seek the welfare of God's people. Perhaps some of the money for air-conditioning and new upholstery could be used for poverty relief and gospel proclamation. Then our witness will be clear and the skeptics will be obligated to see our love for Christ in word and in deed.

Rebuilding God's House

In the Old Testament much is written about the importance of "God's House" for Israel, the people of God. In fact, the part of the Jewish temple called the "Holy of Holies" was believed to house the very presence of Yahweh, the proper name of God in the OT. For this reason, only the Jewish High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and then only once per year after strict cleansing rituals. For the Jewish people, God's House in Jerusalem was the center of their existence. Much of this focus on the temple is not present in the New Testament, partially because the Jewish temple was destroyed in the NT period (70 A.D.) and partly because Jesus introduced a new theology in which the dwelling of God (i.e., the Holy Spirit) became the heart of the regenerated believer. For Christians, the "House of God" is no longer blocks and mortar, but it is the church of Christ, made up of men, women and children from all nations and cultures. Nevertheless, church buildings are still important, especially as a place where the church can gather to worship. That is why we, with the financial assistance of SON-BEAM International, are rebuilding the Siloye Christian Reformed Church (pictured above) in Jacmel, Haiti. Though not entirely destroyed by the earthquake, the church structure (left) became unstable and had to be completely demolished (right). In its place, Lord willing, will stand a 55'x30' heavily reinforced concrete church structure. Please pray for the execution of this project. Pray especially that the members of Siloye church will be able to find all the necessary volunteers to construct the church as we are providing grants solely for construction materials.