Opinion: Church isn't the building - church is us

The church has left the building.

Simple yet profound. But church isn’t about the building.

Don’t get me wrong — I love my church, Westminster Presbyterian in Clovis. It’s a beautiful building where every single nook and cranny holds a memory.

Walking up to the door, I’m greeted by memories of past “Wacky Olympics,” where adults and children competed against one another in some seriously goofy games.

Once inside, thoughts of past Sunday school gatherings and youth activities wrap around me. Kids who were in my youth group are now grown up and have kids of their own. There are so many memories held within those walls: the laughter and fellowship of monthly potlucks, weddings and baptisms, and celebrations of life for our loved ones.

Things are different this year, with the need to shelter in place to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 virus. For the time being, the doors to the buildings are closed to keep people safe. But, the church itself is alive and well.

The “church” has left the building. The building is just a building; but people, people are the church. We are the church.

The church is the group of people who are gathering virtually around a woman who’s been diagnosed with an illness.

The church is the band of volunteers who garb up and package food for the local food bank distributions.

The church is the group of musicians who gather in vehicles at the local hospital to play music and sing and pray for the people inside.

The church is the local businessman who is 3D printing surgical mask straps to donate to our healthcare workers. He can print one every 15 minutes or so and is printing them around the clock.

The church is the group of people who, using social media and email and telephones, will share prayer requests, send out SOS for community needs, and connect people to resources.

The church is the group of pastors, worship leaders, musicians, Sunday school teachers and others who are now live-streaming services across the area. This same bunch of folks will call, facetime, email or otherwise message their congregations to make sure everyone is OK.

The church is the faith community who, while sheltering in place at home, watch the various services from different denominations in the area.

The church is the creative people in the community who paint their fences and walls with funny cartoons and inspirational sayings, to provide a bit of laughter and hope to others.

The church is the group of people who don masks and gloves to deliver food and supplies to the homebound.

The church is the faith community who, seeing needs in the community, work hard to make things easier and a little better, for all of us. The church responds with love.

The church has left the building. The church is all around us. The church is us. The church is love.

Patti Dobson writes about faith for The Eastern New Mexico News. Contact her at:

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