Sometimes we can get caught up in the place we worship. We may even bemoan not having as big and nice of a building as others. Perhaps, however, our buildings get in the way of true worship and ministry. We forget that Jesus promised, “where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matt. 18:20). With His presence comes His glory and His power, which leads to true worship and ministry. So, let’s focus on the presence of the Lord, not our buildings and technology.
The Focus in the Old Testament
God made His presence known throughout Israel’s history in various places. We see His glory in the pillar of fire and cloud that guided them through the wilderness, on the mountain where Moses met with God, about the Ark of the Covenant and tabernacle, and then in the Temple.
Think of the splendor of the Old Testament temple built by Solomon — the exactness and excellence put into it, the way it reflected different aspects of God’s presence and work among them. Yet, Solomon understood that God could not be contained in a building, in a place.
“But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!” (1 Kings 8:27)
The Focus in the New Testament
In the New Testament we read of the Early Church meeting together in the temple courts and in their homes (Acts 2:46-47; Rom. 16:5). Paul mentioned teaching them “publicly and from house to house” (Acts 20:20). How much of meeting in homes was simply pragmatic is hard to say. Where would large gatherings have met? Meeting in homes would have drawn less attention during times of persecution.
What we do know is that the focus was not on the meeting place. Rather, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. . . . All the believers were together and had everything in common. … praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:42-47) They did that which put the focus on the Lord, that which invited His presence in their midst. They resultantly experienced His power among them.
Focusing on the Presence of the Lord as We Meet Today
We find no commands for us about the type, size, or location of the place we gather in order to know His presence. We simply read Jesus’ words, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matt. 18:20).
When we gather in His name, we do all we do in His name. — “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Col. 3:16-17)
We do find a command about “not giving up meeting together” (Heb. 10:25). The collective experience of gathering in His name invites God’s presence in ways we may not experience on our own as we spur one another on and encourage each other in the Lord (Heb. 10:24-25). That is not dependent on the place we meet.
Help Keeping Perspective About the Place We Meet
For more thoughts about Church Facilities, go to the Church Leader’s Practicum. There you’ll find the following four admonitions that will help you be able to say, “Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place!” (Click on the links below.)