Pastor’s Notes
May 2014
Last week at our regular business meeting, the church unanimously voted to move forward toward the vision of completing building on this section of our campus. Allow me some time to explain the next steps.
First let me reiterate some of the key parameters regarding any future building. It must:
• meet future needs – we must take a “long view” of building, not just addressing immediate needs, but the needs of future generations to follow.
• be built with existing funds – in other words, no debt. Through the blessings God has given each of us, our building fund is in great shape. We have sufficient funds to move forward. Likewise, we need to work within the scope of the funds available. This will also guide our planning.
• serve multiple purposes – we must have facilities that can serve a variety of purposes, some we know now, some that may be revealed in future days.
• be built with stewardship in mind – advances in technology that result in long-term maintenance and monetary savings (such as in heating and cooling) must be considered for the sake of long-term stewardship.
• be built with consensus – building: it takes time and hard work. Our church body needs to be working with one mind as we move forward. We must carefully weigh options in prayer and considerate discussion. We must work toward reaching agreement so that hearts and minds are clear. We must always seek God’s will for the future of His church.
Secondly and to that end, our Future Planning Committee will be working to meet with committee chairs to determine needs and desires for future building. Likewise, the notes that were taken during our discussion preceding our vote last week will be reviewed. Overall, there will be extensive prayer and consultation with other churches that have recently built similar buildings. There is much that must be accomplished over the next few weeks as the committee is tasked to provide a report and recommendation at our regular June business meeting. Please pray for the committee: Toni Long, Dana Price, Leonard Edwards and Tim Long.
Friends and family, I believe with all my heart that our God has incredible days ahead for His church. We will continue to seek to be aligned with His will for His church. Buildings are not “the church.” They are tools for the church. As I’ve stated before, how we move forward in faith and love in our discussions will speak volumes. But I’m at peace regarding this initial step that has been taken. All of this is God’s and we are stewards of what is His. As always, it must be to His glory.
Our mission is unchanging: to make disciples as we go, teaching all that Jesus commands!
Bro. Jim
