The Reformed Doctrine of Church Buildings

“The church is not a building.” It’s a popular evangelical adage. And I amen it. We the people are indeed the church. But we are only the church when we are the church, if you catch my drift. The Greek word behind “church” means “assembly,” and we are the church when we assemble together before our triune God every Lord’s Day. And where do we do that? Well, if we’re so blessed, we do that in a building.

The Protestant Reformation rejected the outward pomp of the Roman Catholic Church. It is often assumed that this included the outward beauty of its church buildings. Yet, while both Luther and Calvin rejected the ceremonial extravagance of Rome, they spent their lives preaching in beautiful church buildings. The simplicity of our gospel worship ought to be, whenever possible, reflected in the simplicity of our meeting places. But, avoiding extravagance, it is a blessing to worship God together in well-designed and lovely meeting places.

Where our local churches are financially enabled, let them provide beautiful worship spaces for the children of God.