I write this article with a great sense of humility, responsibility and urgency. While the world could claim ignorance of the true identity and purpose of the church; no one can claim ignorance of the power of the Church. The Church has become so indispensable in almost all nations of the earth; and no government of this world is unmindful of the continuous growth and influence of the Church across the nations.
When I mention ‘Church’, I am not unmindful of the presence of many churches today: for there are now churches that have no true link with Christ Jesus. I am not talking about the churches of satan; but I am talking about the church of Christ Jesus.
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
And Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
Matthew 16:15-18
There is this believe in the church in this age that the building of the Church is the responsibility of the people; and their pastors. I have come to realize that an average pastor’s commitment is to build his church or the Church. I know that you could be thinking that the building in that portion of the Scripture is a spiritual building; hence, while Jesus builds His Church spiritually, you must build the Church under your care physically.
The church of Christ if growing, and the men of God are busy building the Church. My understanding from the Scripture is this, the building of the Church is the responsibility of Christ. But because many men have opted to help God in building His Church, we have witnessed an unprecedented growth in the real estate sector of the economies of nations. I have discovered that in Nigeria, the Church owns the largest number of buildings in the country. As a result of this, the building industry of the Nigerian economy is developed and in fact; Nigeria has some of the largest cement factories in Africa.
If you take a closer and careful look at your state, city or town; and count (if you may), the number of church buildings there, you will discover the immense contribution of the Church to the GDP of Nigeria and other nations. While the leaders of the Church believe that the responsibility of building the Church rests on their shoulders; we have witnessed massive investment by the Church administrators in the construction of church buildings across the world.
But from the Scripture above, it is clear that the building of the Church is Christ’s responsibility. You see, if we see the Church as a religious body; we will give preference to physical buildings and edifices. But if we see the Church as a Kingdom body, we will give preference to the expansion of the influence, culture, power and wisdom of the Kingdom of heaven on earth.
Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Matthew 28:18-20
While Christ holds the exclusive responsibility of building His Church; from that Scripture, He gave the responsibility and a delegated authority of developing nations to the Church. Is it not fair enough? While we are expected by the Lord to develop the nations; He promised to develop (build) us.
The Church has however being preoccupied with the building of the Church, culminating in the development of the education and construction (real estate) sectors of the economies of nations. I am therefore persuaded that when the Church fully embraces her role in the world; the various spheres or sectors of the economies of the world will be developed.
Is it not interesting that the Church is passionate about using the technologies, facilities, infrastructure, products and services of the world; but we avoid investing into or researching into their development? I believe that the earnest desire and hope of the whole world is the full unleashing of the endless power and wisdom of the Church of Christ in the development of the economies of nations.
The great commission cannot be fulfilled within the four-walls of the church; and we cannot also be content with the speakers hanged around the church (building) premises; we must become the salt of the earth and the light of the world – A City that is set on the hills that cannot be hid! We must set the pace in our communities, cities and countries; trail the blaze and find the right path for the nations. We must OCCUPY till He (Christ) comes; enough of these preoccupations; let us take up our responsibility: For only on our responsibility that we will be judged and rewarded by the Lord.
