It has stood for centuries as a place of worship and a ‘must see’ tourist attraction and yet its utter destruction was threatened within hours. If we were ever in any doubt as to the destructive power of fire then the images from Paris as the flames tore through Notre Dame Cathedral should settle that once for all. Fire is no respecter of the age or significance of any building. Thankfully the news this morning is better. We are told that the ‘essential structure’ of the Cathedral remains and that rebuilding is more than just a possibility. Furthermore, a number of French millionaires have pledged financial support and President Macron has spoken of a world-wide appeal on the basis that the influence of Notre Dame has crossed many national boundaries.
The place of buildings in the life of the Christian Church has often been a source of anxious thought and sometimes bitter dispute. When something needs to be done to repair or restore some other need deemed more worthy can always be found. People’s attachment to a building is thought to be spiritually unhealthy. It may have been the place where generations have been baptised and married and where thanksgiving has been offered for lives lived in the faith but what in the end has that contributed to the Christ’s building project, the strengthening of His Kingdom on the earth? Have our energies been focussed on maintaining a monument rather than resourcing a movement of people called to work and pray for the coming of the Kingdom?
It would be churlish to dismiss questions like these because there is a sense in which they get to the heart of what is the nature of the Church. I have no problem with Christians having designated buildings for worship and fellowship. I believe that these buildings can be a symbol of God’s presence in the midst of a community. But they will only be truly meaningful if they house a people who realise the vision of the Church set forward from the beginning. Acts 2: 42 speaks of a people who were ‘devoted to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.’ This in a sense is the ‘essential structure’ of the Church. A people who are seeking to embrace more of God’s truth, to experience more of God in worship, to receive the blessings of the Sacraments and to engage in prayer. It is from this that the Holy Spirit builds a people who share and care and through their joyful witness ‘add to their number daily.’ (Acts 2: 47)
It has been in attempt to recapture this vision that so many projects for renewal and reform have been set in motion. That can only be deemed commendable although it often results in further division and schism. What is happening in western Christianity at present, however, could be seen to be beyond the plans and programs of men and women. Is it possible that God is stripping back the material comfort blanket of the mainstream Church and forcing us to confront and embrace the ‘essential structure’ of His Church? Perhaps for too long the Church has been seen as part of the fabric of society when we should be weaving an independent pattern that raises society closer to the Kingdom of God. As we break the ground on the twenty-first century the Church’s place seems to be more and more on the margins but this is where the apostles began with their clear objectives and their simple lifestyle. They were a people who were confident of who they were, the message they were to proclaim and the purpose of their mission.
We need to recover this no matter what it takes. Tuesday in Holy Week is traditionally a time to remember the conflict Jesus experienced as he moved towards the ultimate sacrifice. He faced the slippery and hostile questions of his enemies who were not interested in his answers but only in how far they could discredit him in the eyes of the people. (Mark 12: 1-27) From a Roman perspective this would be close to inexplicable, proof if it were needed how obscure these people could be. All devout and claiming to be walking in the ways of their God yet unable to agree. That may well be the impression left by the Church in our own time, not only between denominations, but within denominations and even within congregations. There are still voices that will loudly protest that this is a sign of health and strength, that we are always willing to debate and discuss. But this has to set against the report of the first Church historian who found in the apostolic Church a people who were ‘one in heart and mind.‘ (Acts 4: 32). This is a picture of a people who are in no doubt as to their ‘essential structure’ and upon this are seeking to build a witness that would embrace the whole of humankind.
The thing is, the building will go on. Jesus has promised: ‘I will build my Church and the gates of hell will not overcome it.’ (Matthew 16: 18) The choice is between spiritual navel-gazing and a step into that unstoppable surge towards the Kingdom. We have the ‘essential structure’. May the power of the Holy Spirit now enable us to build.
