So, this Easter we are moving into a new home. Not another portable home. Not another place that we have to vacate at the end of every service. A home. A base for ministry. A place to come to worship our Savior and serve our community.
I am sure we are all excited. Its not a competition, but I'd be surprised if anyone was as excited as I am. Since the day I became a Christian I have never known what it was like to have a facility. I've been setting up and breaking down for 14 years in 4 different churches, and I can't wait to experience the benefits of having more stability and being able to have a home base for operations.
BUT, AS WE MAKE THE MOVE, I WANT TO MAKE SOMETHING SO CRYSTAL CLEAR: WE ARE ACQUIRING NEW MEMBERS OF OUR FAMILY NOT ACQUIRING A BUILDING
Why make a big deal about this you might ask? Well, for several reasons. But one of the biggest reasons I want to stress the importance is- there are some AMAZING people that are a part of the church and we can't wait to see them become a part of our family.
And as a shepherd of Remedy Church, I want to be clear and proactive on something that has been a very important point, and something that continues to be a burden in prayer- if we use language like, "We are acquiring a building" it is devaluing and potentially demeaning to the fact that- WE ARE ACQUIRING NEW FAMILY THAT WE WILL BE DOING LIFE WITH, AND SERVING JESUS WITH FOR YEARS TO COME.
As I write this, I want to give you a picture into the hearts of your pastors as we have prayed through this conversation with Trinity Fellowship that has been two years in the making. We wanted to protect our hearts from the wrong priorities and continued to ask each other, ask the Lord and converse around the question:
If there was no building involved, would we still want to be a part of these conversations?
That's really where the rubber meets the road. And it was not until we could give an emphatic, integrity filled, and excited "YES" that we felt clearance from the Lord to pursue this. Over and over, we have and continue to remind each other that people are more valuable than property.
WE GET MULTIPLE MATURE SAINTS WHO LOVE JESUS WHO CAN JOIN TOGETHER AS ONE FAMILY, JOINTLY GROWING TOGETHER IN CHRIST, AND CALLED TO THE MISSION OF MAKING DISCIPLES AND PLANTING CHURCHES!!!!!!!!!!!
That is where the true excitement is.
The building is beautiful.
The changes are exciting.
The future is bright.
But, God is in the business of saving, shaping and caring for PEOPLE. And if we want to share God's heart, we want to share in being excited about what God is excited about. So, as we begin this adventure, lets make sure that our excitement is anchored in the right priorities.
1. The Glory of God- the biggest reason we are doing this is because through almost two years of prayer, research, conversation and collectively seeking God's will, we became 100% convinced that God is more glorified by our two families becoming one, in humility and deference to one another, seeking to serve Jesus and one another in humility and love.
2. The Good of His People- we became convinced that this was better for both bodies. Both groups of servants. Both groups of people who selflessly serve each week out of their love for Jesus and His church. Better for the mission of reaching those who do not yet know Jesus. Better for the young people growing up in our churches to give them a place to grow and fall deeper in love for Jesus. We are convinced that this is God's leading for the good and the growth of God's people.
So yes, be excited about a building. REJOICE! Thank God, for He has been SO GOOD! Use it for His glory. May it be a house of worship, a house of prayer, a center for mission, a sending church for new church plants and furthering the local and global work of the Gospel.
But please, for the sake of honoring our Lord and our new brothers and sisters, let our language be- "We have aquired new family" and may that always be our heart as we integrate together, not "We have gotten a building". Buildings come and go, but the souls of our brothers and sisters are forever.
This is not to say, "don't be excited". It's to direct our enthusiasm and to help us see- WE HAVE EVEN MORE TO BE EXCITED ABOUT THAN YOU EVEN KNOW! God, is about to do something awesome, and its an honor to join Him in that work.
In love,
Eric