Church?

Church…I have heard people say for years that the church is not a building but the people. I guess I am confused. If the church is not a building why do we keep building bigger ones and putting the name “church” on it? Don’t misunderstand me; I am not a church basher. I love the church. But the church is, in fact, the body, the people. I understand the use of a building and the function it can have to serve people. But too often we end up serving the building. Think about it…how much time do you spend in the building? How much money is spent constructing and maintain the building? How much of your energy is spent in the building? My point is that the world is not in the building. The people we need to reach with the Good News are not in the building. So, I sense that God is saying to me that we need to simplify the process. Sure, we need a place to gather and worship and fellowship. But if we spend more time, effort and money in the building than outside the building we are missing the mission and focus.