The Index's recent articles on the building projects in the metro Atlanta area led me to think about some tough issues regarding the Church. One of the great phenomenons of this century is the large metro church. God has blessed mega-churches with amazing leaders, members, ministries and resources. Yet, the latter is where my inquiry lies.

The articles indirectly praised these churches for spending approximately $80 million (over half of which was in the form of debt) to construct new facilities. While I praise God for these churches and their ministries to the communities surrounding them, I can't help but wonder if our purposes are misplaced.

Three churches spent $80 million to accommodate a few thousand people, while the entire SBC spent less than $135 million last year to reach the entire world through the IMB and NAMB.

I wonder if there isn't a broad misunderstanding of the Great Commission. Jesus challenged us through the Great Commission to build the Church, not build churches. I pray that church leaders of this generation and future generations will put a greater emphasis on wise Great Commission spending and less emphasis on local numerical growth and facility quality.

While I dare not cast the first stone (especially at churches doing so much awesome ministry), I think our SBC churches should take care to create budgets that reflect God's purposes and not our own.

Editor's Note: According to the 2004 SBC Annual, which contains information for the 2003 year, total receipts for the International Mission Board were $304,705,000 and total receipts to the North American Mission Board were $118,056,996. The total for both missions agencies was $422,761,996.