From Buildings to Believers: Sanctuary Care Through One-Another Living
- Jack Selcher
- Sep 23, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Summary
Worship is not tied to buildings but to believers who are temples of the Holy Spirit. While physical sanctuaries matter, true sanctuary care is caring for one another. The church advances God’s kingdom through love, service, forgiveness, unity, and mutual edification. These “one-another” practices build a beautiful, living church and require far more commitment than maintaining a building.
When the Sanctuary Is Lost, but the Church Remains
A church sanctuary was burned, and only the basement survived. The leaders of the church built another sanctuary two miles away.
About half the congregation remained behind and worshipped in the basement. People often connect worship with a physical location.
From Temple Buildings to Living Temples
Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem and made it breathtakingly beautiful. He built it according to plans God gave his father, David (1 Chronicles 28:11-19).
But his temple is not a model for church construction projects. In many cultures, people expect churches to have properly maintained buildings.
Rethinking Sanctuary Care
That kind of sanctuary care is not my topic, however. Building maintenance often competes for resources needed to minister to others.
God does not live in a spectacularly magnificent building anymore. Believers are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). They are the church.
Advancing God’s Kingdom Without Buildings
Sanctuary care is now fellow-believer care. The most pressing issue is not how local churches should construct a building. It is how they can work together to advance God’s kingdom.
The Heart of Church Life: One-Another Ministry
Many churches around the world have effective ministries without designated buildings. They might even meet in the open air. Part of advancing God’s kingdom is caring for one another (John 13:34-35).
Thirty-One Dimensions of One-Another Living
What does one-another living include? It includes loving one another (John 13:34-35), being at peace with one another (1 Thessalonians 5:13), showing hospitality to one another (1 Peter 4:9), honoring one another (Romans 12:10), and not judging one another (Romans 14:13).
Receiving one another (Romans 15:7) and not fighting with one another (Galatians 5:15). Serving one another (Galatians 5:13) and not envying one another (Galatians 5:26). Admonishing one another (Romans 15:14) and waiting for one another (1 Corinthians 11:33).
Caring for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25) and bearing one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). Putting up with one another in love (Ephesians 4:2) and forgiving one another (Colossians 3:13). Being kind to one another (Ephesians 4:32) and submitting to one another (Ephesians 5:21).
It includes telling one another the truth (Colossians 3:9) and stirring one another up to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24). Comforting one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18) and being concerned with one another’s well-being (Philippians 2:4).
It entails speaking no evil of one another (James 4:11) but praying for one another (James 5:16), living in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16), and showing no partiality to one another (James 2:1).
Fellowshipping with one another (1 John 1:7) and edifying one another (Ephesians 4:16). Teaching one another (Colossians 3:16) and doing good to one another (1 Thessalonians 5:15).
Exhorting one another (Hebrews 10:25) and serving one another with spiritual gifts (1 Peter 4:10). Those thirty-one “one another” sanctuary care tips make God’s church beautiful.
The Ongoing Work of Building People, Not Structures
It is a lot easier to adjust the sanctuary temperature or replace a light bulb and be done. Having a good relationship with and building up other imperfect people is a never-ending task! See additional free spiritual growth resources for Christians.
God has empowered me to write His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength. It’s a free, evangelistic, devotional, and discipleship e-book. Pastors have used it in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia to lead 7,590 people to Christ and teach the basics of Christianity to 17,681 people. I invite you to explore and use it in your setting.
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