For the past two weeks, and with one to go, we have been
displaced from our Worship Center. Renovations, that were planned long before
Harvey came calling, are underway. The goal is to provide a freshly renovated
space in which we can worship the Lord. Much like our homes, we want our campus
to feel warm, inviting, and well cared for. While the Worship Center is a major
step, we will not stop there. We will continue to work our way around the
campus as time and finances allow.
As you can imagine, moving a congregation the size of ours,
out of our Worship Center and into the Fellowship Hall caused a little bit of
stress. Our fear was that people would just take the next three weeks off and
not come. We also feared that the inconvenience would cause people to become
discontent and frustrated. In fact, on May 26th, I wrote this in my
prayer journal, “I pray for tomorrow’s services. Things will be different for
sure. Instead of the change disrupting and making things miserable, let it
bring a freshness that will allow us to hear from you. Lord, let it be fun.” I
must say, that God has answered that request over and again.
Instead of people complaining, I have heard, multiple times,
how much you have enjoyed the intimacy of a smaller space. I have heard testimony
after testimony of how God has spoken to people, despite the venue change. I
have even heard people say they are almost sad to return to the Worship Center.
It has served, yet again, to amaze me at the heart of Northside. This church is
literally committed to the old mantra, “Improvise, Adapt, Overcome.” What a
blessing.
The truth is, we cannot hang out in the Fellowship Hall
forever. We must return to our Worship Center where the size of our church is
more effectively accommodated. Doing three service each week is rough on our
staff and volunteers. And, we want to make sure we are in a place that there is
plenty of room for others to come and meet Jesus. So, we must prepare our
hearts and minds for the return.
I would like us to keep two words in mind as we get ready to
move back in; “Refresh and Renew.” This is the process that the Worship Center has
gone through over the last several weeks and even before. However, it is also
the process that we want our hearts and lives to go through. No one grows to
the point in their faith that they do not need refreshing and renewal. So, we
make it our prayer, “Lord, Refresh and Renew, not only our Worship Center, but
our hearts too. One more week in the Fellowship Hall and then we will return to
the Worship Center. May God bless that space for years to come. May people both
meet Jesus and grow in their relationship with Him.
Honored to be your pastor,
Darrell
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