I am blessed to be part of a church that doesn’t own a building. We meet in a school hall. I’m often mistakenly thought of as “the guy who doesn’t want the church to own a building.”

I started thinking about being free of the encumbrance of church properties a number of years ago. A fellow elder commented that the devil must smile as he watches the grass grow around the church, knowing one of us will be tied up cutting it instead of spending time with our neighbour.

Since then I’ve heard heaps of reasons why it’s good to own church property. I won’t address them now, let’s just say I haven’t changed my mind. 

Why raise this now, you ask?

Firstly, imagine the situation the people of the Christchurch Anglican Cathedral are in, possibly facing court action by members of the community to rebuild what they want, not what is necessarily best for the church. More unbelievable, imagine paying $5 million for a “cardboard box.” That property has become an encumbrance.

Secondly, Peter Mihaere recently shared a Self Denial message on property needs in South Asia. I sat uncomfortably thinking, how to respond? Then I thought, wouldn’t it be awesome if property-less churches had building funds for properties overseas. Wouldn’t it be great if young/new churches used resources at hand here in New Zealand, rented a school or theatre, or used houses. There are heaps of options. Wouldn’t that be freeing to pastors, letting them focus on the Word and the sheep instead of the barn?

So you see I am all for the Church owning property as long as it’s overseas for businesses bringing the freedom of Jesus to the poor and oppressed.

– Tim Wright
Albany, Auckland