Where is the Gym?

Mike Johnson

Many people would be surprised if they visited a large church and found out it did not have a gymnasium or something called a “fellowship hall.” Many churches today have become more like social clubs than churches.  They provide events as meals, dances, bingo parties, basketball games, and other social events.  Some churches have better recreational facilities than the local YMCA.

Did God ever intend for the church to provide recreation and social events?  What does the Bible say about recreation as a function of the church?  Can these endeavors be proven by the Word of God?

What is the function or work of the church as ordained by God?  This question is essential, and we can learn the answer in the Bible.  If the Bible does not state the church’s work, it has no duty toward a particular purpose and can engage in anything it wants.  However, if an objective exists, we must keep the church functioning within its God-given design.

The Bible teaches that the church has a threefold responsibility.  First, it is to preach the gospel to the lost.  1 Timothy 3:15 refers to the church as the pillar and ground of the truth (also note Eph. 3:9-10, I Thess. 1:8, 2 Cor. 11:8).  Next, the church is to teach or instruct its members, i.e., those who are Christians (1 Tim. 3:15, Eph. 4:11-12, Acts 20:28), and finally, the church can provide for needy saints (Acts 11:29-30).

God has given the church this threefold mission or purpose.  Does this constitute a pattern?  Surely, it does.  We must act with Bible authority.  We are not to “add to” or “take away from” God’s Word (Rev. 22:18-19); we must abide in the doctrine of Christ (2 Jn. 9).  It would be sinful to add a work for the church that God does not give. Nowhere does the Bible teach that recreation and social affairs are the church’s work.  To add this function would be to add to the Word of God.

The church can spend money from its treasury and provide facilities for God’s assigned work.  It cannot use its funds or provide facilities for that which is not its work.  Clean recreation and entertainment are great.  However, they are not to be provided by the church.  I do not know of a single passage that would authorize such practices. Why can’t people be content to let the church be the church?