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One Hundred-Thirty Million Dollars

Posted by Scott McClellan on November 2nd, 2009 at 10:13 am

First Baptist Church here in Dallas is planning a new capital campaign in support of a new worship center, religious education building and parking garage, glass concourse, and sky bridge to the tune of $130 million in construction costs (HT: Aaron Alexander). Why the new construction? The article quotes FBC Dallas pastor Rev. Robert Jefress as saying,“The finest facility in this area should be one that glorifies almighty God.”

I’m under a massive deadline for our upcoming issue so please forgive my brevity. A couple quick thoughts:

I’m really curious to see what $130 million gets you these days, especially in terms of architecture and integrated media and technology systems.
If in ten years a real estate developer comes along and builds a finer facility than the new First Baptist campus, will First Baptist start another capital campaign because “the finest facility in this area should be one that glorifies almighty God”?
This isn’t fair, and it really has nothing to do with First Baptist, but it’s what I’m asking myself this morning … Of all the ways to glorify God with $130 million, where does a building rank on that list? I honestly don’t know. Of course, the leaders at First Baptist must follow the leading of the Spirit as they understand it, so I hope the best for them.
It occurs to me that new or renovated buildings are good at solving building-related problems. If you have building-related problems, do what you can to fix your buildings. However, new or renovated buildings are bad at solving problems that are non-building related. (Please don’t read into that a critique of First Baptist Dallas. I’m not the least bit familiar with their specific circumstances.)

OK, that’s all I’ve got for now. Happy Monday, gentle COLLIDE readers.

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Comments to “One Hundred-Thirty Million Dollars”

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Collide Magazine and chris, stephen proctor. stephen proctor said: does your church find its identity in a building? read: http://bit.ly/4a4aPA & then http://bit.ly/t4lnN WOW. #FWDthistoyourpastors [...]

posted at 12:23 pm on November 2nd, 2009 by Tweets that mention Collide Magazine » Blog Archive » One Hundred-Thirty Million Dollars -- Topsy.com

As a church planter…I wouldn't spend a penny over $100 million. (please re-read with TONS of sarcasm).

posted at 4:20 pm on November 2nd, 2009 by Rick Thompson

Call me silly, but I don't see how buildings glorify God in and of themselves. I can look at some of the old structures around historic cities and see God in them — the talent given to design in a time when power tools were dreams, but to say that a church building glorifies God — I think is a cop-out so that members can feel good about themselves thinking they've done what they needed to. Their hands stay clean, their consciences stay calm and they can pay each other on the back saying "Well done!"

There may be some within that body that long to do more. When I see a staggering number like $130 million, I think of those in our community without power and barely subsisting on unemployment. I think of the homeless we serve each month. I think of the children in Haiti that we support and I think just how far that money could go.

We do plan a building in the future. When God gives us the go-ahead and the funds. I have no doubt though that it will look nice, but that it will be much like the one we have now — the community will know it as that church where they do __________ (fill in the blank of the moment). To me, THAT is what glorifies God. When people are pointed to Christ through what the CHURCH does — and the church ain't a building.

*stepping down off the soapbox*

posted at 4:32 pm on November 2nd, 2009 by Faye

someone obviously didn't read LosWhit's blog post "Where's the Steeple?" - http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2009/07/wheres-the-...

posted at 6:14 pm on November 2nd, 2009 by proctor

I can't say whether it is good or bad - If they are doing it to glorify themselves well that would be bad but if they honestly need the new structure then that would be good. But props to Rolling Hills Baptist (link proctor provided). That is freaking awesome…

posted at 6:21 pm on November 2nd, 2009 by Patrick

That money can be used to help A LOT of people.

Now, someone would probably make the argument that spending money on this "finest facility" is helping people but in what sense? To entertain them with technology? Because our attention span as human beings has gone down through the years.

That money could be used to help single mothers who have to work as prostitutes to pay back their pimps, or make wells in places in Africa where they don't have drinking water.

That money could be spent a lot more wisely… that's just how I feel.

posted at 7:08 pm on November 2nd, 2009 by bryanandrewlee

How about using that $130 million to provide educational resources for a community in need? How about feeding some people? How about using that $130 and sending it oversees to bring hope to those who are truly needy? I hate to knock FBC Dallas, being that I don't know their heart and I didn't sit in on the board that made this decision, but couldn't they come up with a more productive way to spend that money?

posted at 1:08 am on November 3rd, 2009 by Doug

man, that's settling. I personally have trouble worshipping at all in a building that costs less than $120 million.
Similar sarcasm.

posted at 3:20 am on November 3rd, 2009 by stephenbateman

It's…disappointing, frustrating….idk unsettling I suppose.

Man I don't like it, but their deacons unanimously approved, and their congregation was overwhelmingly in approval (says their website). So on some level I have to trust that God knows what's up.

posted at 3:26 am on November 3rd, 2009 by stephenbateman

This is a huge amount of cash, but without knowing their situation, I wonder how much this sum is really relative to their annual giving/budget?

For instance, is this the same as a really small church of 50 or so choosing to spend $130,000 on a new building? Just a thought to ponder…

On that basis I can't say this is outright wrong, the issue is really how the church appropriate 'all' (or the rest) of their money over time that will tell.

posted at 10:13 am on November 3rd, 2009 by Sam Peckham

My organization, which is supported by churches like FBC Dallas, is $30 million short this year and is having to cut back our overseas missionaries. Meanwhile they're spending $130 million on a new building. Serious?

What is the biblical basis for this? What about the rest of the world that worships in homes and cafes? Are they not honoring God with their lack of nice buildings?

posted at 12:01 pm on November 3rd, 2009 by Grady Bauer

Still can't touch Jerry World, so their overall mission seems like it will fall short. I think we are starting to see a shift in the way church's view spending similar to the way major investment and automobile companies every dollar is being scrutinized. I personally feel there are better ways to spend the money but Sam makes a good point and we should just pray that the facilities are just another way God brings people into his kingdom.

posted at 5:09 pm on November 4th, 2009 by Ian

Well said, Ian!

posted at 6:26 pm on November 4th, 2009 by ScottMcClellan

Look at the cathedrals in Europe and ask if they were worth it. Sure, they look amazing but they're now empty, almost all of them.

It has been said numerous times that you could provide clean water wells to an entire country like Sudan or Rwanda for $50 million. Something to think about.

posted at 12:14 am on November 5th, 2009 by Joel W. Smith

Scott, Check out this comment piece:

http://firstthings.com/blogs/evangel/2009/11/six-...

posted at 1:51 pm on November 6th, 2009 by Brian

Church Media Group, Inc.