Roads, Bridges, and Churches
Thursday, November 24, 2022
"My number-one recommendation is to invest in people.” – Paul Romer, economist
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was signed into law on November 21, 2021, by President Joe Biden. After 10 votes in the House and 25 in the Senate, the bill was passed mostly along party lines.
The 2,700-page behemoth of a bill will cost American taxpayers an estimated $1 trillion, further adding to our already massive federal debt. And, like so many other laws enacted by Congress over the years, its name doesn’t necessarily match its contents since a sizeable portion of the expenditures will go towards green energy projects.
That being said, building, updating, and properly maintaining our country’s infrastructure is of critical importance. We have thousands of roads and bridges in serious disrepair, and many of our ports and airports are in need of major upgrades.
When it comes to the Church of Jesus Christ, however, another word for infrastructure is P-E-O-P-L-E. Whereas a nice place to meet, worship, and fellowship is a blessing from God, the building itself is not the church. On the contrary, it is the people inside that structure who are the true Bride of Christ. Therefore, pastors – as God’s under-shepherds – should do everything in their power to care for their flock while not allowing the actual brick-and-mortar around them to deteriorate and decay.
Yes, a new building program can be a real asset to a growing congregation and a church’s physical plant should never be neglected. But I for one would rather see more resources put into reaching the lost and discipling the saved than in erecting the fanciest edifice in town.
“And He is the head of the body, the church…” Colossians 1:18 a (NKJV)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
