The "Church of the Consumer" is on the rise and the menu is diversifying at a prolific rate. While it may seem exciting to have such a smorgasbord of church styles to choose from there are serious spiritual issues at stake. The question has to be asked as to whether the blueprint for any church design is truly from the Word of God or from the mind of effervescent "pastor chefs" who each have their own "signature dish" that has been developed from a careful study of current appetites. Could it be that the desire to capture a contemporary audience that worships at the idol of non offensive "take-away tidbits" dictates what we end up serving to those hungry for the bread of life who is Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour?
In
Spiritual Architecture
the author seeks to draw from Paul's first letter to the fledgling Thessalonican church various biblical principles for the church that are timeless and foundational. Although a church in different cultures will be expressed quite differently there are many truths that must be adhered to if we are to honour Christ, remain biblical and not follow trends that result in spiritual malnutrition.