Are fellowship halls optional?
Question:
Good morning, brother Jeffrey:
I have had several discussions with an elder of a church of Christ.
First, the issue of fellowship halls. I sent him the article entitled “Kitchens and Fellowship Halls, What Was the Issue?” His response was because the early church met in homes for worship and fellowship, there was a kitchen present. The kitchen was likely used for meals before or after worship. Further, because having a church building is not a direct command but a necessary inference to assemble, fellowship halls are optional.
Second was the use of God’s funds. Recently, my church purchased a van to take members to various activities such as summer bible camps, church retreats, and the older adults to lunch once a month. After one month of payments, the elders announced to the congregation that a donation of $60,000 was needed to pay off the loan to avoid interest. We have less than 12 youths. Less than 12 go to lunch together once a month. The elder said this expenditure was not a salvation issue and was up to the elders. I understand the donation of $60,000 could be considered separate from God’s funds. How is the use of God’s funds not a salvation issue?
Please help to scripturally respond to this elder. Thank you very much for your assistance over the years. May you have many years on this earth to help the brethren stay faithful until the end.
Answer:
Notice that the elder's answer is based on assumptions. He assumes the early church always met in homes, even though the first congregation met at the Temple (Acts 2:46). He also ignored Paul's rebuke, "If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so that you will not come together for judgment" (I Corinthians 11:34). The flaw in his reasoning is to conclude that anything not directly commanded can be modified. See
The argument of declaring something less important or unimportant, because it isn't a salvation issue, is an empty point because it places men in the position of deciding what God deems to be important. See A Salvation Issue.
I suspect that this elder and the congregation are not interested in obeying God to the best of their ability. They will dismiss any point that you raise. If you are interested in finding a more conservative group to worship with, let me know what town you are near and I'll see if I can find a nearby congregation.
