“Repurposing” God’s House

Articles

Philip C. Strong
10/31/23 - Church

“Repurposing” has become a trendy or fashionable word and practice. It’s appeal seems to be based in the assumed altruism of taking something that is no longer operational, effective, or wanted, and reviving its workability, effectiveness, or desirability by changing its function and appearance. Fine. Except that such is not always a good thing…

Think about this: Many modern community-based religious organizations don’t actually call or refer to themselves as “churches” anymore. Why is that, do you suppose? Could it be that in changing the name, appearance, and function they are seeking to “repurpose” the original objective its Planner intended (Eph.3:10) and/or the materials with which its Builder constructed (Eph.1:4; 5:27) it? While I have no problem with “repurposing” a dresser into a dining room buffet, the “church” that God planned and Jesus built has no need of such! While individual members (or entire congregations of them) may need to be refurbished with the gospel’s reproofs, rebukes, and instructions as per 2Tim.4:2, what they DON’T need is “repurposing” with human wisdom, vain philosophy, and self-serving carnal objectives.

This type of thing isn’t new by any means. Jesus accused the “religious leaders” of His day of “repurposing” God’s “house of prayer” into a “robber’s den” of commerce and thievery, Matt.21:13. Are not today’s “churches/temples” being similarly “repurposed” as at least money-making if not even money-robbing ventures? They may not be actually “selling doves” but that is about all some of them AREN’T selling! And they will certainly change your money into their wealth! But such is not the only “repurposing” efforts going on relative the church that Jesus built with His blood…

Others are attempting to “repurpose” Christ’s church as a:

Performing Arts Center where wannabe musicians, singers, actors, and dancers strive to feed their egos or jump-start a career instead of worshiping God “in spirit and in truth,” Jn.4:23-24;
Recreational Center where “wholesome fun” replaces “the whole counsel of God” being proclaimed and taught, Acts 20:27;
Social Community Center where bridal and baby showers, birthday and graduation parties, singles’ support/dating services, and pancake breakfasts, lunch fish fries (or crawfish boils), spaghetti suppers, and all sorts of fund-raising and civic gatherings replace “coming together as a church… to eat the Lord’s Supper” (1Cor.11:18a,20b);
Psychological Enrichment Center where the latest variety of “Chicken Soup” for whatever currently passes as “mental health” replaces “the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus,” 2Tim.3:15b; or even a
House of Sin where “come as you are and stay as you are” replaces “Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins,” Acts 2:38a.

Furniture and other things may well be “repurposed,” but “the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3b) and “the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” (Eph.1:22b-23) have no need of such!