The Philosophy/Reasoning behind the Outdoor Amphitheatre
On a practical level, Cornerstone has been unable to grow numerically for the past seven years. This is due to lack of space. While many would be content to keep our church at the current size, our mission statement reads that we seek to reach “every individual” in our community.
The obvious solution would be to buy more property and build a bigger building. However, this would require spending an amount of money that none of the leaders feel peace about spending. This lack of peace primarily springs from a desire to give more to the poor who are suffering around the world.
The idea of building an outdoor sanctuary rather than an auditorium sprung from a desire to save millions of dollars. It came from a belief that God would rather we spend that money in other ways. It comes from a thought that God would receive more glory from seeing His children sacrifice for others- namely, those around the world who lack basic necessities. The idea then evolved into developing the property into more of a park-like setting that could be enjoyed by the church and community throughout the week. In this way, we would be giving to our community as well as to the needy around the world.
In reality, this is about more than a building. The park/amphitheater is an expression of a mindset. It represents a group of people who are willing to sacrifice their own comforts in order to better care for others. The following are not just reasons to build inexpensively, but they are the reasons why Cornerstone strives to be a “giving” church.
- We love the poor: People around the world desperately need aid (Romans 12:13).
- We love Jesus: He says that He is the One suffering (Matthew 25:35-36).
- It’s best for us: We’ll be more joyful if we give rather than receive (Acts 20:35).
- It affects unbelievers: They are impacted when they see good works (Matthew 5:16).
- It models Christ: Laying down our lives is how we imitate Christ (1 John 3:16-17).
- We gain eternal rewards: God rewards those who care for the poor (Matthew 9:21).
1. We love the poor.
As I write this, I do so with my eyes welled up in tears (not an exaggeration). I’ve seen some awful suffering over the past few years during my trips to various countries. Much of this suffering could be alleviated with food, water, clothing, shelter, or basic medical attention. I believe God desires to use His church to meet these needs.
All throughout the scriptures, God commands us to care for the poor. The Bible also teaches that the motivation for our aid must be love. “If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:3.
God’s desire is that we not only love them, but that we love them as much as we love ourselves. This is what He means when He commands us to “love your neighbor as yourself” Matthew 22:39. I need to do for those who are suffering what I would want them to do for me if the tables were turned. Too often we stop at some display of love rather than loving to the extent to which we’re called: “as yourself.”
What would you want them to do for you if the tables were turned?
2. We love Jesus.
In Matthew 25, we have possibly the most frightening picture of the judgment. In this passage, Christ condemns people to eternal punishment because they did not care for Him during their time on earth. “I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.” The people complain, saying that they never saw Christ in need. Jesus then responds by saying, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”
Everything we do should be motivated by one of the two greatest commands: “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, and mind” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” I see this passage as teaching us “how” to love God. We tangibly show our love to God by caring for the poor. We are to treat the poor in the same way as we would treat Jesus if He were on the earth.
What would you do for Jesus if you saw Him in tattered clothes with no food or clean water?
3. It’s best for us.
As is true of all God’s commands, we benefit when we obey. “Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain” Psalm 119:35-36.
Too often, we assume that we will be happiest if we look out for ourselves. You’d think we would be more content if we sat in a more comfortable auditorium, but it typically doesn’t work that way. Those who have sacrificed for the sake of others will tell you that those were the more fulfilling times in life. People generally find more joy in sacrifice than they do in self-indulgence. This is because God tells us that “It is better to give than to receive” Acts 20:35.
On an average day, I spend more time thinking of myself than anyone else. I need to put myself in situations that force me to think of others. It would bring me more joy.
Do you truly believe that you would be happier if you sacrificed more?
4. It affects unbelievers.
The Bible teaches that the church has a positive affect on the world when we are doing good deeds. “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” Matthew 5:16. It’s when they see us doing something that they’ll praise our Father. When a church sacrifices for the poor, it gets people’s attention.
The idea of building an outdoor amphitheater evolved into creating more of a “park” type atmosphere that could be enjoyed by the community throughout the week. It was a way the church could give to its own neighborhood as well as those suffering around the world.
In today’s society, the skeptics are less attracted by clever programming and more attracted by authenticity and passion. I believe that those who are searching would be intrigued by a group of Christians who were willing to sacrifice their comfort in order to care for others. Unbelievers typically view church as a place where people are trying to “take” their money. If the world would see us as cheerful givers, I believe that would attract far more people than any building or program.
What have you done lately that causes others to praise your God?
5. It models Christ.
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 1 John 3:16-17
John questions whether a person can truly be a Christian if he has no compassion for the poor. He explains that Christ taught us how to love through His sacrifice. If we take seriously His call to be His image bearers (Eph 4:24), we need to love sacrificially as He did. God went to an extreme to help us. He didn’t just give, He gave His best.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant…” Philippians 2:3-7
How closely do you display the servant’s attitude that Christ modeled?
6. We gain eternal rewards.
Remember that God is always the giver. We are always the recipients. Even when we try to give to God, He gives us far more in return. So we always end up getting the better end of the deal. “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” Matthew 19:29-30
One of the characteristics of a believer is that s/he thinks about Heaven frequently. “For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” Philippians 3:18-20. Paul weeps for those whose minds are on earthly things. Most of us in Southern California think about life on earth way too much. Our mind is on the temporary rather than the eternal. When we sacrifice earthly comforts, it makes us focus on our heavenly treasures.
Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Matthew 19:21
How often do you think about treasures in Heaven?
