Member-only story
When the Church Left the Building: What If That Was the Point?
Rethinking faith after the shutdowns, distractions, and overproduced Sunday mornings
Let me be clear: I’m not against campus-based churches. Not at all. I’ve been helped, encouraged, and challenged by them. I’ve served in them. I’ve found community, learned scripture, and seen people healed in their pews and lobbies.
But if we’re honest — really honest — the COVID shutdowns pulled back the curtain. Not in a dramatic, “churches are evil” kind of way. But in the quiet, uncomfortable, “what are we even doing?” kind of way.
Suddenly, we weren’t in buildings anymore.
We weren’t being led by a stage team with fog machines and countdown timers.
We weren’t sipping free coffee between services or navigating church apps to register for “authentic community.”
And many of us didn’t miss it.
What if leaving the building was God’s idea?
I know, that sounds edgy. Maybe even sacrilegious. But hang with me.
What if the forced simplicity of pandemic church — Zoom calls, long walks, awkward prayer circles over FaceTime — wasn’t a detour, but a divine redirection?
