We changed our Sunday schedule this past weekend in order to accommodate a special congregation meeting. We do not do “business meetings” on Sundays. But this was an exception. The pastoral leaders of our church have been praying about relocating the congregation to a new site, because of the various space challenges our congregation faces at our 1800 facility. I thank God for the blessing our church site is to us. And I thank God for how he has helped us to cope with some of the challenges. We have no parking. And our members park in a lot a block or so from the church, behind a supermarket. I know that sounds. But this free parking space has been a blessing to us. And we have some of our Sunday morning small-groups in a facility down the street from the church. It’s an Usher’s center that has been made available to us for a minimal cost. With God’s help, we have been strategic and creative in trying to make the best use of the space we have. But it has become increasingly challenging. And I believe that it really put a strain on the congregation over the past year. We have a committed core in our church. But it is difficult to reach unsaved and unchurched people with the space issues we have. And it’s also difficult to minister to the young Christians in our church and nurture them to spiritual development with these challenges. Over the past several years, we have wavered between remodeling our present space and relocation. But we are not at a point where our leadership is united in seeking to relocate.
About six weeks ago, we were introduced to a church facility in our city that has become available. It would be an ideal place for our congregation, in so many ways. In fact, it is a site where the congregation used to meet some forty years ago. It would definitely be a step of faith for our church. But we believe that it is God’s will that we pursue this open door. So we met with the congregation Sunday to ask their approval to make an offer on these facilities. It was a typical MSMBC meeting – peaceful, prayerful, purposeful, and playful. I gave a brief presentation, took questions, and then we voted. Of the three motions we voted on, there was only one nay vote. The congregation seems to be both united and excited about this opportunity and willing to do what it take to take this great step of faith. Praise God! I am asking that you would join our congregation in prayer about this matter. Pray that God would give us these facilities, that he would help us to acquire these facilities in a manner that we will be able to sustain, and that our ministry would expand as a result of this move. Above all, pray that God would be glorified in and through us as we take this step of faith.