The past 5 months have been one of the most painful times I have ever had in a church. Up until that time it was one of the most satisfying and rewarding I have known. Please understand that I realize that none of us are perfect in our attitudes, understanding and behavior. I love the church of Jesus Christ because it is His and not because it suits me. In fact I desperately need His spiritual family even with all its faults.

After considering the events of this period, I find myself again reevaluating the concepts of the modern church. Many of my questions are concerning the complexity of today’s situations verses the simplicity of that which we find in the New Testament.

Of course we know that times do change, but what about the principles we are taught concerning Christ? Can we learn anything from the examples that have been given by the New Testament Church?

Let me give this one example. I have been told that it takes $200,000 to start a church in America today. Can anyone show me any place in the Bible that places any such burden on the Gospel message? We do know that many sold their houses and lands to support the needs of the congregation after they received Christ, but none of the funds were used to build a building.

Even in the famous passage in 1 Corinthians 16:1-3 where collections were gathered on the first day of the week, we know that they were for needy believers in Judea, not for church buildings. Our buildings can serve us, the people of God, and can be used for His purposes, but have we given too much importance to them?