Building projects seem like they are often what makes or breaks a church. I mean, I know that ultimately, a church's faithfulness to God is what makes or breaks it, but so often the future of a church depends on the structure it meets in. We're building a new facility right now. These pictures were taken almost two months ago, so it's much closer to being done than these show. The project was begun several years ago (at least five) when we bought the land. We should be in the new building by Spring of 2007.Some people have left. For some, the process has been too drawn out for them. They haven't seen progress quick enough. Some left because it seemed like the new building was all that was important. Some left because they didn’t believe we could afford the new facility. Some stayed, but whisper and gossip and complain about the whole thing.
God is NOT as concerned about what our meeting place looks like as He is about what goes on in and because of our meeting place. But that's not to say we should not put thought and planning into it. Remember the wise man? A little thought can make a big difference.I am excited about this new facility. I believe it could open doors to new ministries that our current space limits. I believe it could set a new tone for the congregation. It will not be the same old place, and we cannot be the same old church. There will be a bigger kitchen and there will not be an auditorium. There will be bigger classrooms and more fellowship space.
No where in scripture are we told it's right or wrong to have a nice church building. No where in scripture does God tell us not to have a kitchen or to have an auditorium. For that matter, we aren’t told we should have a “church building” at all. No where does it say we should give a thought to wall or carpet color, and yet God was pretty detailed when he gave instruction on decorating the temple.
All of these things will make little difference, though, if the heart of the congregation is not focused on reaching the lost and serving all people. If that is our goal, this facility will be overflowing with God’s blessings. But if we allow ourselves to stay focused on ourselves, if we allow ourselves to be divided by things that are matters of opinion, if we allow ourselves to think that WE built this building … than somebody else is going to enjoy those rooms. We won’t have any need for it.
5 comments:
I really appreciated and enjoyed Ron's presentation last night. I was REALlY encouraged by the special offering last Sunday. A 200+ member congregation giving $131,000 on one day?!? Amazing.
Yes, the new building is a distraction -- a necessary distraction, but a distraction nonetheless.
I'm looking forward to meeting there, and the changes that will come with it.
I expect that some of the folks who left will begin coming back once we're there. And we will welcome them back, despite the fact that they walked out on us in the midle of the project.
Amen to your last paragraph!
I also loved Ron's presentation last night! It was great to see the progression of things! And I'll be honest, the first time we were here and then as we watched from a distance, I wondered if it would ever happen. But since we've been back, things have felt different. After the contribution Sunday, I know one person who said, "I didn't give as much as I could have because I didn't think we'd come close to the goal. Boy was I wrong."
I see God pruning the body and breaking some people so that they look to Him more. Perhaps the most important part of building a new building is building new hearts in the spirits of people.
Hi Tiffany,
Post #2 here. Glad to see the e-mail about your mom at Johns Hopkins. Sounded encouraging. I was just thinking about your previous e-mails and was wondering if your congregation might want to purchase a used pager system. Just a thought!
Kami
Hi fam just been to the new building how exciting to see the final part of frame work starting to go up heating duct about in and drywalling going in. Thank God he has lead us down this path to a new place where we can all worship together and lift God high.
I am so looking forward to the singing and the fellowship that will go on after we are all able to be joined together.
For those who feel it has been taking too long and the cost to high just remember to keep the faith and trust in God that he will keep guiding our steps on this path we have embarked on and God will light up our way. And the cost how can you put a price on any tool that God gives you to help better worship him. I know it seems like allot especialy since it is not extravagent but the cost is well worth it even if only one soul drives by and sees us and learns abouth the love and faithfulness of God and excepts him as their father and savior.
We love our whole christian family and look forward to honoring God and sharing our faith with you all for many years too come.
Kami,
Are you selling a used pager system? We are in Needville, TX and have been looking for a system that won't break the bank. My name is Bo (979) five three three - 4664
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