8:45 Sunday - I park in a spot by the recycling bins. There is already a car next to me and several cars out in the "back 40". 10:25 Sunday - Jim gives us a ride on the shuttle in a full parking lot to my car. We need a new parking lot. Sermons about taking up Christ's cross, about sacrifice, about fulfilling our potential are as important (if not more important) than the basic stuff. Some of us may not like to hear them, but we NEED to hear them. God is calling us to follow Him, we need to listen.
I found out on Monday that Sunday was a tough day. Out of bulletins, out of classroom space, 65 in attendance in the marriage class, 40 in the new connections class. Every single parking space full. Some people could not park so they went home, and they were not happy about it.
The cross, grace, how we treat each other, spiritual fruit, and such are all the cornerstones of faith. I am always glad to preach on them.
It is the application that is tough to talk about. Not simply the being nice to each other, but the kind of talk that requires sacrifice. Do we really want to sacrifice?
Let me tell you some of what I hear on occaision: "I have given enough money, I should have my own parking spot." "I have attended here a long time, this is my church, and I keep being asked to make room for others." "I have a place I like to sit and I get here early so that I can sit there." "Don't ask me to attend a different service."
Folks, I am not even sure what to say when I hear such comments. If Jesus died on the cross for us, shouldn't we be willing to change? To sacrifice? To take up a cross? Maybe that means parking further away. Maybe that means sitting on the very front row. Maybe that means giving 10% or more, and gladly.
Our willingness to make sacrifices is going to have a lot to say about the kind of people that we are, and the kind of people that we attract. But I want to be clear, if we do not continue to sacrifice to make more room for others, we will not be attracting any more folks.
We had over 500 people at the 1010 service on Sunday, that is a record for a non-special day. How will we continue to reach new folks if they have no place to park and they have to be escorted all the way down to the very front row to sit. How would you feel if you were new and that happened to you?
The PTA, The Water buffaloes, and most organizations exist for the benefit of their members. You join, you pay the dues, you get the benefits. The church is not like that. The church is the only organization on earth that exists for the benefit of those who are not it's members. If we are not sacrificing so that others can come to faith in Jesus Christ, maybe we should change our name.
Oh sorry about that, didn't mean to be so direct, but hey, let's remember who we are and whose we are.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
5 comments:
It's tough to maintain perspective all of the time. I guess I should say its easy to lose perspective.
We should be celebrating the parking and seating issues. I personally know of two churches in eastern Jackson county that are dying. Literally. Tough decisions need to be made becuase we are being successful achieving our mission statement. Sort of a confusing disconnect.
Erik B
Thanks for reminding me that what I give of myself and financially to this wonderful place I love to share with other believers doesn't buy me the "right" to anything. WCC is a wonderful priviledge in our lives and whatever it "gives" back to us is "icing on the cake" of our lives! Christ made a sacrifice that I'll never be able to repay or am expected to, but I love the opportunity to try! Bless You! Cara
Buy Everets. Lots of parking there.
Dave H
This isn't my church, this isn't your church, this isn't Jeff's church. This is Jesus Christ's church. We need to make room because Jesus hasn't finished His work at Woods Chapel. I'll park at Everetts and walk. I'll carpool with friends. I'll sit on the stage in the choir seats. I'll go to services in the gym. I love the contemporary services but I'll come at 8am. I'll cut something selfish out of the budget to pledge to another capital drive. I will do whatever it takes to make sure that each and every person that God brings to the Woods Chapel parking lot comes in, is comfortable and is connected to His Son.
PS. Will you?
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