By: John Scott, Scott-Long Construction
One church I know has total clarity on the end product: exact number of seats in their future auditorium, exact number of members in two years, exact number for the project budget, they even have a business plan laid out for their multi site ministry for years to come. This was all provided by God to the pastor and the church is firmly holding to that direction.
My church has very little vision of the end. All we know is that we need a home. We are expecting God to provide a home that will help shape who we are. Of course we have our principles, our style of worship, and ministry type that speaks to our property search but we just don’t have clarity.
Do we want God to provide clear direction? You bet. I don’t know why He hasn’t. But, we have grown by “pushing on the doors” presented to us and seeing which ones open.
Which way is right? Both. I think as leaders in our congregations we ask for clarity and then start pushing on doors. We need to keep walking through until each door is shut.
Of course we need to make solid stewardship decisions regarding purchasing land, finances, design, and construction. That starts with asking God to send people from the congregation or outsiders to facilitate stewardship. My thought is that if we humbly bathe these decisions in prayer and wait for peace then He will provide clarity. Clarity for the whole project or maybe just for the next step.
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