And you know, in hindsight, I realize that we have lived in this same rhythm of physical and spiritual transformation<\/em> for nearly 6 years. Every time we make some fundamental change in mission or vision, the property comes along with it. Some of this has to do with money in the bank\u2013we take a step of faith, we grow, we have money to spend\u2026 it is a simple equation.<\/p>\n But I\u2019d say it has even more to do with outward signs of inward transformation<\/em>. Change\u2013when it is spirit-filled and discerning\u2013can generate new life of its own. When you let go of that which does not give you life, you find there is room for new stuff to enter. When you\u2019ve built up your worship leaders, called a gifted musician, given your preacher the grace to learn effective preaching\u2013well, then you want a new sign out front to tell the neighbors about the great worship life inside.<\/p>\n When you let go of a mainline pattern that has become dysfunctional, you free up people and resources to do actual ministry.<\/p>\n When you quit passing the old brass offering plates around as a part of worship, you want a nice, new, important-looking box at the entrance, to receive people\u2019s gifts of faith.<\/p>\n When you find the courage to welcome people with a radical hospitality statement, then you want a new website that shouts it from the rooftop\u2013with attractive images, relevant language, and up-to-the-minute information.\u00a0 [I swear by all that is holy, we had more tension around the new website than we EVER had about the Open and Affirming statement. Mark my word, folks,\u00a0when it comes to generating conflict, church web design is the new carpet color. You heard it hear first.]<\/p>\n When you\u2019ve got money in the bank\u2013money that you can actually spend feeding hungry people and not just keeping the doors open\u2013 then by God, you want a new sound system so that you can sing happy songs about it on Sunday.\u00a0\u00a0Without static.<\/p>\n When you\u2019ve added a second worship service, and start to expand your staff, then\u2013and this one is huge\u2013it is time to get rid of the 16-year-old carpet. Because ultimately, at\u00a0that point\u00a0the place is alive and breathing, and the house itself has to say so.\u00a0It\u2019s not so much that we CAN afford to do these things\u2026it\u2019s that, there comes a time when\u00a0we can no longer afford not to.<\/p>\n None of these things came quickly, or easily. Nor did they come from me. Something moves and breathes in this desert place that is bigger than any of us. Are we becoming a mega-church? Not by a long shot, and no thank you. Are we ready to build a large, state-of-the-art, multi-purpose building that will house dynamic youth programming and a sports league? Nah. Is the preaching great every single Sunday? Haha.<\/p>\n BUT\u2026if you let go of stuff you don\u2019t need, life happens.\u00a0Neighbors come. Walls get painted and cell phone towers get built and\u00a0good music comes bursting out at the seems. Hungry people get fed.<\/p>\n The faithful people who held this place up through some lean wilderness years, are still faithful. But now they are joined by others, many of whom live and work and shop and send kids to school in this neighborhood.\u00a0We are still becoming.\u00a0\u00a0But when I hold this place up to the one I first knew, nearly 6 years ago, I have to catch my breath a little.\u00a0We waited 5 years to build a new website; to lead an Open and Affirming movement; to call another pastor to the staff; to grow a second worship service\u2026<\/p>\n
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<\/a>Kind of like how Gaither music from the 70\u2019s still counts as contemporary worship music.<\/p>\n