there are clearly tradeoffs between psycho-huge-mega-churches and small places. i tend to think that mega churches feel impersonal, but at the same time i have to admit the possibility that some people really like that atmosphere, feel comfortable there. no equation for everyone.

however. much of what was said about churches, for lack of a better word, blowing lots of money on stuff… that resonated a lot with me. this megachurch in my area, north of cincinnati, ohio, recently built this big jesus statue. they spend $250k on it. the church says that it’s been beneficial to a lot of people who drive by it and get inspired and encouraged. i won’t dispute those claims.

i guess it’s like, it’s a little disheartening that someone sat down and said ‘hey we have this $250k sitting around, why don’t we build a large statue of jesus’ instead of ‘let’s help some homeless people find a place to live, or jobs, or help in disaster relief somewhere in the world, or start a church in the ukraine, or buy medicine, or build wells in 250 towns in starving nations, etc’. what leads us to this point? i can’t see jesus saying ‘hey go build a statue of me’ instead of ‘hey go feed some people.’

so it’s refreshing to know that maybe i’m not a lunatic for feeling how i do about that statue. and about where a lot of churches/organizations are pointing their financial guns.