— “The church is not a hall for profit, but a holy dwelling for God’s glory.”
📖 Summary
A church building is not a neutral facility.
It is a sacred space set apart for worship and the proclamation of the gospel.
Therefore, allowing non-Christian or secular groups to use it for unrelated purposes
can compromise the church’s holiness and witness.
However, temporary public or charitable use (e.g., relief shelter, community service)
may be permissible if the intent clearly reflects love and gospel witness.
“The issue is not space—it’s sanctity.”
1️⃣ Introduction
“Is it wrong to rent out our sanctuary?”
“Can we share our education hall for non-religious classes?”
The church is not a business property;
it is a place consecrated to the worship of God.
Misusing it confuses the sacred with the secular.
2️⃣ Biblical Foundation
📘 Exodus 29:43–44 (ESV) — “It shall be sanctified by My glory.”
📘 Matthew 21:13 (ESV) — “My house shall be called a house of prayer.”
📘 2 Corinthians 6:14–16 (ESV) — “What agreement has the temple of God with idols?”
→ God’s presence consecrates space.
→ Jesus rejected turning sacred space into commercial use.
→ The church must remain distinct from worldly purposes.
3️⃣ Theological Insight
📜 John MacArthur — “The church is not a community center but the pillar and ground of truth.”
📜 R.C. Sproul — “Holiness means being set apart.
A church building cannot serve two masters.”
📜 John Piper — “When the church’s purpose drifts from gospel joy, even good works lose their power.”
📜 Westminster Confession Ch.21 — “All acts of worship must be for God’s glory alone.”
4️⃣ Practical Guidelines
| Category | Permissible | Inappropriate |
|---|---|---|
| Public good | Shelter, food aid, charity | Political or commercial events |
| Religious | Other churches’ services | Cults, non-Christian religions |
| Education | Bible, theology, value-based lectures | Yoga, meditation, secular programs |
| Culture | Evangelistic concerts | Pure entertainment shows |
| Rental | Nonprofit or mission-linked | For-profit or business leasing |
5️⃣ Application Principles
1️⃣ Keep the sanctuary for worship and gospel use.
2️⃣ Approach community use as service, not profit.
3️⃣ Never host false-religious gatherings.
4️⃣ Use charitable sharing to display God’s love, not to sustain the budget.
6️⃣ Conclusion
A church’s building use is not an administrative choice but a theological statement.
Every decision should declare: “This place belongs to God.”
“The doors of the church are open to all,
but its purpose must always point heavenward.” — Revito
Faith. Purity. Reverence. — Revito
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#ChurchRental #SanctuaryUse #HolinessAndSeparation #JohnMacArthur #RCSproul #JohnPiper #WestminsterConfession #ReformedTheology #ChurchHoliness #FaithPurityReverence #Revito
