Pleased
I have been reflecting upon the gathering this past Sunday (4/5) and the overwhelming sense of gratitude that I have for the positive hearts of the people that were present for our first meeting addressing the issues / opportunities that are before us. As I listened to the questions that people asked, the requests for information, and the suggestions made, there was a sense of great openness. Not openness necessarily to a particular idea or solution but an openness to the dialogue and wrestling that will take place in the coming months. It didn't feel to me as if people had come to the meeting with their minds made up and their heels dug in (for or against).
It seems like we are off to a great start and I'm just excited to see what God will continue to do in the midst of this process of listening!
Sid
posted by Pastor @ 4:52 PM
3 Comments
3 Comments:
The meeting was great! I love that people feel comfortable sharing even knowing their thoughts are not shared by all. In my prayer and thought this week so far something a little radical keeps popping into my mind. Could we be limiting ourselves by our very location? We are nestled in a neighborhood not easily seen by anyone who does not travel Reed or St Joe Center. Could the gifts of land have been entrusted to us for a different purpose than just to build on for ourselves. Has anyone else thought about moving St Joseph out of the location we are in to a more visible spot and building a whole new campus? People come to new as is evidenced by the new church start ups in the city. Locations and buildings have a 'shelf life' as changes to the location and people in that location change.
I know I am a newer member of St Joseph but would feel the same way in general if I had been around the last 35 years so don't throw too many rocks at me please....or at least toss small ones gently~~
We were very happy at our previous church -- and we were thrilled at the idea of expanding our building. Just think of the possibilities! However, ground was bearly broken before I sensed a change. Services were too often about giving money to the project. Our building became about the big show -- people came in and saw an amazing space, but that space was not very practical. It seemed that our building became very "protected". We couldn't use this room because that wasn't its intended purpose. We became very fussy about our new gym floor. The building became cold and sterile to me. All the fancy decorations that were so attractive at first glance were lifeless -- they didn't mean anything.
When we came to St. Joe, we felt the warmth right away. We saw the children's artwork on the walls, hanging from the ceiling, etc. We marvelled at the creative use of space -- a church service in a fellowship hall! We were blessed to see kids playing ball in the gym and a pastor who invited all to come to a Thanksgiving meal whether we had enough space or not.
I'm happy to see things getting crowded. I'm delighted to hear about possible growth for Upwards. I'm exicted for St. Joe's future. I would just like to caution against the big show. Please don't let the pretty new spaces change the heart of this church and the people who lead. I don't think it would -- the pastors are amazing! I just think that what sets St. Joe apart is the willingness to scoot over and make room. To use evey inch of space however God leads. I like spaces that are "lived in" -- that means I can live there too!
Great comments. We talk a lot on staff about the fact that we are a Church and not a "Museum." Therefore, things will not always be in perfect order, because so many different people use them. Thanks for your comment.
Shalom,
russ
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home