Dear Editor,
In previous generations many Christians and their families sacrificially gave money in order to build churches for their local communities. Many had clauses in their title deeds that the building was for the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom. However, when numbers attending collapsed the buildings became redundant.
The tragedy is that those responsible for the disposal of the property have too often forgotten that the building was originally built for kingdom purposes and not for the financial gain of those holding the deeds. It is surely incumbent on bishops, diocesan authorities, vicars, PCCs, ministers, church elders and trustees to ensure that the gospel wishes of those who originally paid for the building have precedence over all other issues. How can this building, of which the present trustees are really tenants, be best used for the Lord and the proclamation of His gospel? The ambition of the original investors should have precedence over all other claims.
