“Priorities”As a congregation, we have accomplished much over the course of the last 6 months. We have a lot to feel good about. We all saw the need to get organized, and to set our affairs in order. We had projects that required decisions to be made, and required the means to fund them. We took control of the church’s expenditures and got ourselves in shape financially to accomplish the projects we set out to undertake. When our building’s exterior was in desperate need of repair and repainting, we not only funded the work, but marshaled our forces and did the work ourselves. When our baptistery’s circulation pump needed replacing, again our members were up to the challenge and made sure the job was done. When two of our exterior signs were stolen, and the remaining one damaged, the congregation rose to the occasion once more and replaced and remounted the new signage promptly and efficiently. When we recognized that the exterior landscaping was in need of attention, the members took charge; choosing, purchasing and planting new greenery to make the exterior of the building look beautiful and well-kempt, as it does today. Soon we will be resealing our parking lot, and building a new storage shed and pump house; tasks I am sure that we will complete as cost-effectively and as enthusiastically as we have done with all the projects we have undertaken this year. There are many other improvements completed and scheduled that I did not mention, but suffice it to say that we have made great progress in six months and we should all feel a sense of accomplishment. We have set ourselves a goal of getting our house in order, and we are pressing on towards it faithfully. But we should ask ourselves, “what about our spiritual house?” Is it in order? Are we assessing the spiritual condition of our congregation as thoughtfully and seriously as we do the physical condition? There is no doubt that we possess the determination, the will, the drive, and the enthusiasm to accomplish great things; we already have. It is my belief (and God’s too) that if we bring that same type of energy and dedication to our fellowship and personal evangelism, we can accomplish even greater things. Sometimes we become so concerned with the people and things that are already there around us, we lose sight of the people and things that AREN’T there. When we see the building needs attention, we supply it; but what about when one of our number is sick or troubled, or absent; do we try and give that brother or sister the attention they may need? Do we look for things that need spiritual repair? Jesus tells us
in John 13:34-35 And we read again
in Philippians 2:4 And who are all those “people” Jesus spoke of; are the “others” we read of in Philippians just fellow Christians? We have a responsibility to do spiritual repairs and improvements outside the body of Christ. So, are those non-believers on our spiritual “to-do” list? “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28: 19-20 The progress we have made as a congregation thus far is commendable. But as we undertake upcoming projects around the building and the building grounds, let’s all remember our greater responsibility: the responsibility to edify, instruct and encourage each other and our fellow man; making sure that the attention and care and concern we show as Christians extends beyond immediate physical needs. If we can do this, we can build something beautiful; not just physically, but spiritually as well. — Paul Seely, September 18, 2011 |