What Would You Do with $130 Million? Let's Build a Church!

What Would You Do with $130 Million? Let’s Build a Church!

Posted on November 05, 2009
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(81) comments

That's the plan at First Baptist Church of Dallas... build a $130 million church complex in the Downtown Dallas arts district.

According to the Associated Baptist Press, First Baptist Church in Dallas has launched what leaders say will be the largest church-building campaign in modern history -- a $130 million project that includes the congregation's first entirely new sanctuary since the 1890s.

Once considered the largest church in the Southern Baptist Convention, First Baptist Church has declined from 25,000 members under its legendary pastor of 50 years, W.A. Criswell, to about 11,000 today.

Under leadership of Robert Jeffress, who took over as pastor in 2007, leaders say the church is growing again, but present facilities are inadequate for innovative ministries needed to reach today's generation.

The plans for the church campus include a high-tech, 3,000-seat worship center, which will double the church's current worship capacity. There will also be an education center and 500-space parking garage.

Several of seven major buildings currently in the church's sprawling complex on six city blocks will be demolished to make way for construction. The current historic sanctuary will remain, with a steeple restored to its original height. It will continue to be used for weddings, funerals and special events.

New landmark features include a towering stone waterfall topped with a luminescent cross. A shallow pool surrounded by green space will provide both a common area for downtown residents and guests and a place for open-air baptism services.

"We're creating what I like to call a spiritual oasis in the middle of downtown Dallas," Jeffress said Oct. 3 on Dallas radio station KBCI. "It is going to be the most beautiful facility in downtown Dallas."

What do you think? A great plan or a total waste of money? $130 million well spent or wasted?

Comments

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Bo Lane on Thu, November 05, 2009

This is sad. To echo Tim’s thoughts: “God help us…”
Samuel Gualtieri on Thu, November 05, 2009

Let His name be glorified in all that we do - God’s name is most certainly magnified when humanity decides to honor Him—be it with art, architecture, or social justice movements. Do not be so quick to speak against an act of worship, just because it isn’t YOUR act of worship.

But let’s also put this in perspective: pick a skyscraper in the NYC skyline. Any skyscraper. Or lets try Miami (where I live) pick a skyscraper, a highschool, the arts center—ANY of those buildings cost an average of $800 MILLION dollars to build. And yet people such as yourselves don’t even blink at it when you drive downtown.

Let’s not lose perspective, people. If those who live for money can build a building that honors it, the church who lives for God can certainly build a monument to Him.

And for those of you who are still griping, why don’t you think about what a return this is going to have for the people (NOT JUST OF AFRICA YOU BIGOT) but people who are hurting even right here in America. In downtown Dallas.

If you want to make a global impact, try making a local impact.

FBC of Dallas, carry on.
Steve Bishop on Thu, November 05, 2009

Dispensationalism has taught an entire generation of Christians to build cheap, quick and fast. The result is cheap buildings and cheap ministries. All one has to do is travel to Europe and see the finest architecture in the cathedrals. Downtown Dallas is being revitalized with hundreds of millions of dollars for art centers and such but to listen to these comments FBC Dallas should stay in 1950’s buildings and give it’s dwindling money to the poor. When will we ever think generationally and see God’s economic system of abundance. Give and it shall be given to you. The golden goose will produce far more golden eggs for poor by investing in this update. These comments remind me of just how small our thinking is in Christianity today.
Don on Thu, November 05, 2009

I’ll hope that it will be a well spent investment in the kingdom. OTOH, in the era of multi site, I can forsee more bang for the buck from that large a mass of mammon. I’m guessing Joel Osteen’s example of getting a long term lease on an arena wouldn’t work here (was the old stadium at Irving torn down?)

Solomon’s temple wasn’t cheap and I wonder what it would cost today, indexed for inflation.
Parker overturf on Thu, November 05, 2009

It’s cool, but what about 130 - million dollar church plants?
Michael Buckingham on Thu, November 05, 2009

I think Leonard gives us a good reminder. We all, whether we’re building a building or buying a mocha, need to think of where our money is going and what it is doing.

“where your treasure is…their your heart will be.”

My primary thought I guess is that before we build a temple, we need to be a temple.
Clark Frailey on Thu, November 05, 2009

I remember reading when the disciples questioned why a woman would waste money on fancy perfume for the feet of Jesus. Their comments are in the same vein as many of those here.

They said, “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”

Jesus responds, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a noble thing for Me.”

May the same be said to my brothers and sisters in the faith at FBC Dallas. As in most things in life, it’s not either/or - it’s both/and.
Samuel Gualtieri on Thu, November 05, 2009

Clark Frailey hits it on the head. ^^^^^
Sam Mahlstadt on Thu, November 05, 2009

What strikes me is the claim that this may somehow help reach the next generation. As part of that generation, this is repulsive to me. Authenticity and generosity are two of the biggest things that the next generation is looking to in the church. This shows neither. As Rusty pointed out, there are other things to funnel money toward.
Sad.
jason on Thu, November 05, 2009

In other Texas news, 87% of TX communities exceed the US poverty rate.
Jesse Phillips on Thu, November 05, 2009

I think it’s a waste of money. This is such an important issue to me, I have so much emotion and frustration attached to this issue.

I don’t understand why some other commenters think this is a good idea. I don’t see how you can read the bible and agree w/ this.

Here’s what I think: I think there’s another source text people are using to come to these conclusions, other than the bible. I think these other sources are more opinion & tradition rather than the bible.

Stuff like: “what we’ve always done” & “it’s all about butts in seats” & “Cool facilities make headlines & heads turn” & “this is very comfortable”

To me, this decision comes very logically from the above extra-biblical sources. Particularly the “it’s all about butts in seats.” If you believe that, then what FBC Dallas did is maybe a GENIUS and extremely godly move.

And I think that’s really what we’re arguing over here. Is the “Butts in Seats” the best & most biblical strategy for fulfilling the Great Commission & advancing the Kingdom?

I would say no. I think it’s the “change people’s hearts & actions - teach them to be sacrificial disciples of Christ who love and serve outsiders.” I think this will advance the Kingdom a lot better than the “butts in seats” strategy - b/c the individual adherents will be actual change agents themselves to grow the Kingdom. As it is, “butts in seats” only grows incrementally & the attendees have very little power, are very little like Christ. As a result (1,000s of years of this strategy) - we’re hypocritical lame-os that look nothing like Christ.

Yes. I think we’re arguing over strategy here. In one strategy this is a horrible misstep. In another strategy this is the perfect decision.
NonProfit on Thu, November 05, 2009

Now that poverty and disease are basically nonexistent and since our education and infrastructure are fully funded, why not?
Michael Holmes on Thu, November 05, 2009

Wow! That’s all I can say! Wow!
- on Thu, November 05, 2009

http://www.cdispatch.com/opinions/article.asp?aid=2461
Kevin Bourne on Thu, November 05, 2009

It’s so interesting how people are so quick to be critical. How can you judge another man’s vision? If a man wants to build a $130 million church that’s between him and God. Different people have different callings and mandates over their lives. You may not build a church if you had $130 million because it’s not your calling to build a church or pastor a flock. As an entrepreneur if I had that money I would probably do something related to business because that’s my calling. If you’re called to be a missionary where the world is your mission field, using that money to build a facility would seem foolish. The Bible tells us that there are a variety of ministries in the Body of Christ, so what this man does with $130 million may not be what you would do.

Secondly, I don’t know if anyone commenting on this blog actually knows this pastor personally to know what his motivations are. Do you know his motivations? Do you know his heart? People are judging his works and not his heart. If he had a reputation of squandering people’s money, or had previously shown that he has integrity issues, I would understand. But I don’t think anybody here has that kind of information.

Thirdly, I could appreciate what this pastor is doing. As the Church we’re not only here on earth to save souls and feed the poor, but to establish God’s dominion and to testify of his goodness. That’s what we learned from Solomon; he was a builder of governmental systems, as well as the builder of the Temple. I believe this kind of facility will testify of the dominion and goodness of God. This kind of project will get the attention of the whole city. God wants us to be a blessing to the cities he places us in (and a blessing to the leaders that “sit in the gate”). This facility is a testimony to those in leadership in the city that they are there to partner with them in providing leadership to the city.

Fourthly, It’s interesting that at one point in history the hospitals, universities, and other major institutions, were built and run by the Church (i.e. Catholic and Anglican chuches, as well other denominations) because they were a major provider of services in our cities. Now we have a problem with churches building large facilities. I don’t understand, it’s ok for Donald Trump to build a $130 million Trump Tower in his own name, but we who are supposed to have dominion (and who’s Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills) can’t build a $130 million facility in the name of the Lord?

Lastly, this Scripture came to mind:

“Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. ” It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” John 12:3-8

In this Scripture Judas is being critical because Mary used the expensive oil to anoint Jesus instead of using it to bless the poor. Jesus turned around and commended her for doing so. This sounds a lot like what’s happening on this blog. People are commenting that instead of using $130 million to build a church it can be used to feed the poor. Let’s pause and think about this…Mary gave Jesus the best and the Lord was pleased. Judas was being cheap, critical and religious by trying to bring it back to what should be done for the poor.

Just some food for thought.