Steeple Envy
Feb 15th, 2008 by John
Let’s consider “steeple envy.”
Did you ever consider the possibility that a number of pastors and/or church leaders suffer from “steeple envy”? You know, “mine is bigger than yours” sort of thing.
How many USAmerican church building programs are sourced in steeple envy? I’m not a betting pastor, but I would be willing to bet that a number of insecure pastors have to prove their significance (potence) by ‘capital campaign viagra.’ They must have the biggest steeple (read church campus) in the city. What a silly waste!
I know it’s usually couched in “we need to reach more people” or “this is to the ‘glory of God’” or “people need a nice place to worship,” etc. But I wonder how often “God’s glory” is a verbal smoke screen for many pastors’ need for personal grandiosity?
Hey, I could be wrong. Yet, I floated this thought before some friends in our area of the U.S. of A. and they said that it really, really exists. Steeple envy exists.
What do you think?
Popularity: 4% [?]
I believe it. I’ve witnessed it. I attend one of those “big” churches. I love the people, but I get awfully uncomfortable when we start talking about the “campus.”
I apologize for my over-abundance of quotation marks. I don’t know what’s gotten into me.
I think a church without a building would face some challenges, but would have very few financial difficulties.
“Elisha”,
I am “glad” you “commented.” I have felt a little “steeple envy” at your “church,” but I “don’t” want to be “judgemental.”
I, too, “apologize” for the numerous “quotation” marks. “Love,”
Dad.
Post Blackbird Song,
I agree with you, especially in light of Jesus’ directives to his disciples when he sent them out (first “the Twelve” and then the “Seventy (-two)”), and the practice of the earliest “churches” who met in homes.
I am laughing out loud at the version of this post that came through in my blog reader. To answer your question “what do I think?”, I think you’re a trouble-maker, and I mean that in the nicest way.
This version is good too. I thought the phrase capital campaign viagra was brilliant.
yes, you’re right grace: he is a trouble maker
nice one John!
-jeremy
Grace,
I don’t want to be a troube maker, but I do want to hold a mirror up to some of the church’s silliness. Thanks for thinking I am a trouble maker in nicest way. I am glad you like the extended version. I deleted the “imagine” part ’cause I thought it was a little over the top
Jeremy,
You and Grace have got to repent!
Just kidding.
Thanks!
John,
This is too funny.
I want to thank you for the good laugh this morning.
It is great to read a blog and have a good laugh. I am glad I put my coffee down before reading.
I hope you have a blessed week brother.
Preacherman,
I am glad to bring a smile to your face.
You have a blessed week, too, my friend.
Yes, it does. And as a Youth Pastor who feels no such envy, and working with a Senior Pastor who proudly flaunts his envy, it’s painful and awkward. I’m all about reaching the lost in our community, but the day it leads to our elders starting a building campaign is the day they start looking for a new youth pastor. As a suburban church in a dying area of Kansas City –a city known for some of the worst suburban sprawl in the nation– if we lack the creativity to do anything but build another building, we are failing.
So yeah. sorry for the rant. But hey I want to say I really appreciate the way you bring humor –along with light– to an issue like this. thanks!
J Ted Voigt,
There are a lot of leaders like you out there. I am proud that you commented and deeply appreciate your honesty. Please know that new winds are blowing and a new spirit of doing church is arising. Lift your sails, and come along!
[...] A very interesting series entitled "Economic Status" by Michael Kruse. See part 1 here. Check out Mark Galli’s post, "Why Kids Lie" Read Arlene Kasselman on "An Enemy of the Cross." A very nice post by Ted Gossard on "Living Sacrifices." See L.L. Barkat’s very interesting and useful post, "Golden Opportunity: Talk to Top Editors and Publishers." Liam Byrnes’ tribute to his friend Oliver Foote, "Oliver Foote well remembered." Read John Frye on "Steeple Envy." [...]
but, but… we need those steeples to point out to us how we are down here and god is wayyyyy up there! Don’t you listen to anything plato has to say? How is a house church or a neighbourhood community going to fulfill the demands of dualism without a sacred space to separate God from the rest of our lives?
if ever there was a time for the word poppycock, this is it.
“capital campaign viagra” is too funny…but in all seriousness, sadly true. Good to hear from you John.
David,
I am with you in seeking to eradicate evangelical gnosticism from our alleged practical theology. However, I am not enough of a theologian or historian to comepletely write off the theology that produced the cathedrals. Maybe those leaders were on to something that go perverted.
Daryl,
I am glad I could bring a smile to you.
David (#15),
In my response #17 the word “go” at the end should read as “got.”
Sorry.