Due to the current COVID-19 crisis the last few weeks the church building has been empty while everyone is in "social isolaton" and will be empty for some time yet.
A while back I wrote about The Church I see, its a vision of a full and vibrant place, where all are welcome. But what happens when the building is empty when God's people nolonger gather at this space?
Walking through the empty building I wanted to take some photos. I think the images convey how I was feeling at the time.
Ponder on these questions - What is church for you? How does it make you feel to see the building empty?
I then penned these words in my prayer journal.
The Church Building
What is the church building without people?
Often we treat it like an object of reverence or a shrine
It’s just some wood, some bricks
A lectern and a steeple
The building’s dead without God’s people!
What use is an empty building sitting idle?
Can it pray?
Or sing praise tune?
Will the empty pews sing out?
What’s this lonely building all about?
Sitting empty all alone
Can it point towards God’s throne?
The illuminated empty sign
Will it declare that God’s divine?
When God’s people leave this place
What becomes of this deserted space?
Then what is church? I hear you say
When we know that Jesus is the only way
It is he that lives in you and me
He’s the life that flows within us
We are his people his Church, his bride
The Church is where ever 2 or 3 gather in his name
And they can proclaim Christ’s world wide fame
It’s not a building or a place
Not a temple or a shrine
The Church.... it’s God’s people
It’s God saying
I bought you, you are mine
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