I thought it was time I posted the artist's rendering of the new building we will hopefully occupy in November 2011. Right now all we can say is, "Welcome to our pad!" Literally, all we have is a concrete pad, but they will start putting up the steel on Wednesday (7-3-11). We are all excited and are praying daily that this new location would honor our Lord and benefit His children!
As a church are we moving in the right direction? Good question, but isn't it a little late to be asking it now? I don't believe so for at least two reasons:
First, it is the right question because this is not the first time we've asked it. Over the last three years I have repeatedly asked this question. With every step we've taken to relocate Calvary Church I've personally asked this question in one form or another. When I stop and ask this specific question it causes me to ask another important one: "Why are we doing this?" If the first response from me is anything other an to display God's glory in a greater way to a community searching for a God-honoring church then our motivation is completely wrong. As we move forward we must always keep God's glory as the preeminent goal is relocating.
Second, it is the right question because of the danger of getting caught up in building a building and neglecting the church! I never dreamed how much it would take to build a new building. The largest building I've ever built is a 47 sq. ft. tree house, and that didn't turn out too great. So now, faced with a building project of almost 17,000 sq. ft. is quite daunting. Almost every day we are faced with emails, phone calls, engineer reports on concrete, invoices, sales people, and the list goes on. But what about the people who come week-after-week seeking direction, conviction and comfort from God's Word? What about the shut-ins who are looking for a friendly face to knock on their door? What about the saints who find themselves facing surgery at the hospital? Remember, these things haven't magically stopped just because we are building a building. So this question reminds me that if we get caught up in the sticks and bricks while neglecting the people then we are not truly building the church!
My prayer for Calvary is that as we build this building we will never neglect the truly important...the glory of God and good of His people.
Grace & Peace,
Scott
I received a letter last week that was the end of a young man's forty-three battle with guilt. I am leaving it anonymous to protect his reputation.
"As a young boy, I decided to skip school for the day as I was sure I would not pass a test to be given. A day of hooky sounded like a better plan. I was not alone in this though and soon a friend joined me in a day of adventure. It was midday when we wandered to the steps of Calvary Baptist Church and went inside to look around. Honestly there were no preconceived plans for what happened next, but I was there so I am guilty. As I looked around, I saw my friend taking a microphone from a stand and placing it under his shirt. I asked him what he was doing and before I knew it we were both running out the door.
"That was forty-three years ago and it is still on my mind. I am a Christian and have been for over twenty-five years. I know Christ has forgiven me, but want to give back what was taken. Please accept my deepest apologies and the enclosed check."
Oh, how this letter touched my heart (as I hope it does yours)! Immediately I was reminded of what Paul said it Acts 24:16,
So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.
Biblically this man did the right thing. He sought forgiveness from God first and then began building his life for Christ. Along the way God changed him and that changed involved a radical obedience to the Spirit's moving. Eventually his conscience was convicted of the wrong he committed forty-three years ago against a congregation who for the most part didn't know the theft took place or had forgotten and moved on. However, God would not let this man move on until he radically obeyed and proved his repentance through a changed life. I am sure his check more than covers the microphone, and besides, the microphone is not the real issue anyway...his radical obedience is.
I praise our Father in heaven for letters and repentant faith like this. I reminds me that my spiritual walk is not moving in the right direction until I am ready to obey my Sovereign Lord at any cost to me personally. I hope this reminder helps your walk too.
Grace & Peace,
Scott
