More Than A Building: Brick By Brick | Pastor Nate Keeler
We often think of church as something we attend—a building we walk into, a service we watch, a place we go once a week. But Scripture paints a far more personal and powerful picture.
In Ephesians 2:19–22 (ESV), Paul says:
“You are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone…”
This isn’t just theology. It’s identity. God is building something. And He’s not looking for spectators. He’s looking for bricks. He’s using people like you and me to create something that lasts.
Not a Cathedral—A Home
In The Message paraphrase, this passage in Ephesians is even more striking:
“God is building a home. He’s using us all—irrespective of how we got here—in what He is building.”
He’s not assembling a museum of saints or a cathedral for perfect people. He’s building a home—a living, breathing family where His Spirit dwells. And you? You’re not an ornament. You’re not a visitor. You’re a piece of the structure.
Even if you’ve only been coming to church for a few weeks… Even if you’ve made mistakes… Even if you feel like you don’t belong…
God says you’re part of the plan.
The Church Is Built on a Foundation That Doesn’t Shift
While we use modern songs and modern tech and speak in modern terms, our foundation isn’t modern at all. The Church isn’t a trend. It’s timeless.
The apostles—Peter, John, Paul—and the prophets laid the groundwork with their lives. These were people who saw Jesus, learned from Him, and spread His message at great cost. Others like Lydia, Barnabas, Priscilla, and Aquila helped build on that foundation. Each of them a brick in God’s house.
And the cornerstone—the stone that holds the whole thing together—is Jesus.
Not a philosophy. Not a pastor. Not a denomination. Jesus.
In ancient construction, if the cornerstone was crooked, the whole building would collapse. That’s why Paul says everything is “joined together” in Him. If a church doesn’t point clearly and consistently to Jesus, it’s building something unstable.
Your Brick Has a Purpose
Every one of us has a brick to bring. Some bricks lead ministries. Others serve behind the scenes. Some teach, encourage, welcome, build, fix, organize, support, pray, or sing. And some bricks, like Miss Winnie’s, do something even more powerful.
Let me tell you about her.
Miss Winnie and the Power of Showing Up
Miss Winnie was old. Not just older—old-old. Her age was legendary. She had been serving in the children’s ministry longer than most of the staff had been alive.
And yet, she was still using her brick.
One Sunday, a man named Chip walked through the doors of our church. He was fresh out of a rough past—tattoos covering his arms, alcohol on his breath, nerves taking over. He had been invited to church but didn’t feel like he belonged. In fact, he was ready to turn around and leave.
That’s when Miss Winnie saw him. She didn’t flinch. She didn’t judge. She walked right over to him, grabbed his hands, looked him in the eyes, and said, “I’m so glad you’re here today. You belong here.” Then she gave him a hug.
In that moment, everything changed for Chip. He stayed. He encountered Jesus. He gave his life to Christ. And over time, he became a pillar here—a man who’s now serving the broken, leading ministries, discipling others, and sharing the love of Christ with those most people wouldn’t know how to reach.
And all because Miss Winnie didn’t bury her brick.
Don’t Bury Yours
You may think you’re too old. Too young. Too tired. Too broken. Too busy.
You may think someone else can do it better.
But if you’re breathing, God can use you. And the church needs you.
The tragedy isn’t just that we leave our brick unused. It’s that the wall now has a gap. The house now has a hole. The story now has a missing moment.
If you bury your brick, someone like Chip might miss their chance to encounter the love of Jesus through you.
Why People Bury Their Bricks
It’s not always laziness. Often, it’s pain. Sometimes it’s disillusionment or burnout. Here are some real reasons people withdraw from serving:
- They were hurt in church.
- They served too much and burned out.
- They feel unqualified or unneeded.
- They think someone else will step up.
- They believe their time has passed.
But the truth is, the church thrives when everyone brings what they have. Not what they don’t have. Just what they have.
Moving from Attender to Participant
A lot of people say, “I go to Brandywine” or “I go to church.” But going and being are two very different things.
- Going to church is watching the mission.
- Being the church is living the mission.
You might love the music, appreciate the message, and enjoy the kids’ ministry. But until you ask, “What am I doing with my brick?”, you’re still a spectator.
And spectators don’t build homes.
What Does “Bringing Your Brick” Look Like?
Here are five ways to start using your brick today:
- Say Yes to Serving. Whether it’s greeting, teaching, mentoring, or setting up chairs, every role matters.
- Get Plugged into Community. Join a small group or study. Bricks don’t stand alone.
- Share Your Story. Like Miss Winnie did. Sometimes your presence is all someone needs.
- Encourage Someone. One kind word can hold up a whole section of the wall.
- Pray and Ask God to Use You. Even if you’re not sure where to start, a willing heart is enough.
A Final Word of Encouragement
Here’s what I know: God isn’t finished with you. He’s still building something through you. And the longer we wait, the more potential moments we miss.
Chip’s story is just one example. But there are hundreds—thousands—of lives waiting to be changed. Not by some superstar pastor or flawless worship set, but by everyday people like Miss Winnie… and like you.
So don’t bury your brick.
Bring it. Lay it down.
Let God build something beautiful through you.