As I write this it is the week before Christmas. I know that you will be
reading it sometime in mid-January. I’ll be on Sabbath leave, but the
business of our church goes on. By now I hope you will have heard about
the congregational meetings that will be held to give everyone an update on
the Building Team’s progress. They’ve taken considerable steps
forward these last few months even though that progress has mostly been behind
the scenes. Now it is time to examine the next steps we need to take.
These congregational meetings will be a time for the Building Team to
update you on their progress and give you an opportunity to ask any questions
you may have. You’ve seen the computer renderings of the building and
the sanctuary. What was once only vision is now taking definite shape.
They are exciting to see, but they also raise many questions that need to be
answered. Much has yet to be decided and your input at these
congregational meetings will be essential to that process.
Despite the fact that my Sabbath has a few weeks to go, I have encouraged
the Building Team to move forward with these meetings. I believe we
should use this time productively to examine our plan and seek God regarding
our future. If we have gained any momentum recently, we should continue
to move forward. I have a lot of faith in the Building Team, it’s
chair Ray Barnes, and the people of this congregation. I know that these
meetings will be a time of prayer and discernment as well as a time of
information and idea sharing. It will require the input of our entire
congregation if these meetings are to be successful. Please make every effort
to be there and participate.
Along with the artist’s renderings is a poster that asks this question: "How
can I help? These drawings represent a dream … a vehicle for our ministry to
the surrounding community. They can become a reality if God is willing and if
we provide the hands." That’s an important statement.
This dream was birthed out of desire to further God’s kingdom. We’ve
seen a few years pass since the inception of that dream, but the dream is
still valid. The dream is not dependent on the dreamers; it is dependent
on the dream-giver. That Dream-Giver is still the same God as He was
then.
Let’s seek God’s face together. Let’s discern His will
together. "Come. Let us reason together. If you are willing and
obedient, you will eat the best from the land." (Isaiah
1:18-19). If we ask, it shall be given us. If we seek, we will find.
If we knock, the door will open.
Ask, seek, find. Reason together. And where two or three are gathered,
their God will be in the midst of them.