We Need More Space

Tuesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Lamentations 2
NT: Ephesians 6
W&W: Psalm 108

Today’s Reflection:

One of the concerns at the Towne Hall Meeting was: “No one ever mentions the building fund. Is it still active? We need more space. Should we have an active push to save money for this? I think a member of the board should lead this effort.” Following is my response from the meeting:

The building fund is still active. However, to my knowledge, we do not have an active plan in place to encourage contributions to a capital project. I guess – as the new kid on the block – I would ask you: “Should we have an active push to save money for this?” Talk to me. As far as a board member leading it: I couldn’t agree more!

Let me talk for a moment about our stewardship. Stewardship is part of the “Sow Seeds of Partnership” component of being a disciple. (The other two ingredients are prayer and serving). The church board and I are floating the idea of having a stewardship team – apart from the finance team of the board. The stewardship team will be responsible for stewardship awareness, education, and special fund drives. I hope that we see some good progress on this by the first of 2010. If you are interested in Christian stewardship, please see me. We don’t have the team assembled yet!

Let me address the comment: “We need more space.” In my vast experience here I would both agree and disagree with that statement. Let me tell you what happened to me this morning. During Sunday school, I felt an inner compulsion to go into the basement of our education wing. So strong was the compulsion that I could not – not do it – even though it would make me late for the staff prayer time at 10:15. (My wife and my staff can tell you how I don’t like being late!) Now I know why I felt that compulsion: this question, which I didn’t answer until this afternoon required that I take that trip down there.

In the basement I was confronted by the Lord: “Pastor, why are these rooms empty?” That’s right – the rooms were empty! Oh, church, it breaks my heart to say it! The rooms were empty! Fans were running in two of the rooms, but no children were running in the hall. The air conditioners were making some noise but no teens were. Yes, they were at McDonalds, I know. I think God did sent me down there while the teens were gone on purpose so he could really drive this point home. Fill up those rooms! Do what it takes to make the rooms usable and fill up those rooms! Maybe it won’t work due to mold or low ceilings or whatever. I don’t know. But I do know this: getting more space will take a plan, and the first place we need to look is right under our nose, or – if you happen to be over there during Sunday school – right under your feet!

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Let’s put Romans 3.21-25a together: 21But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.