January 2006

“Building A Firm Foundation”

It's Unbelievable!
The lower floor is being capped this week. In four short weeks we have moved from ground breaking to the beginning of framing. The foundation has been laid and the basement walls have been poured. The drainage tile has been set and the sand has been spread. The northwest corner basement blocks have been sledged or pulled down. Now the changes will start to be seen in a big way. Many volunteer hours have already been given. For over four years we have been looking forward to the expanded ministry that the building addition will give to us. The process has been good with a great deal of time in prayer and planning. When we started it was important get the process right.

We started by determining the purpose of the building. We asked the questions, "Why are we building it?" "When it is completed how will we use it?" "What needs will it meet in the greater purpose of our ministry." After that was determined we then began to work backwards. We designed the look and utilitarian aspects of the building. We tried to figure out how the new building would fit with the old and how each room should be designed to meet its purpose. You draw the floor plans and the detail plans all the way down to the footings. It's note worthy that the foundation is one of the most important aspects of the building but will never be seen. It requires figuring out all the costs so you know how much to save or raise to complete the building. You make a list of all materials needed. Planning and timing are vital as you begin the process. No one wants to stop half way through the building process because something was forgotten or overlooked. I have a greater appreciation again for all who are apart of the construction industry; it is complicated work.

What I have found is that the principles of building an addition are very similar to principles of building your life of faith in the New Year. Here are a few of the major principles.

Plan ahead – Are you thinking about how you can grow this year. – What books to read, what Bible study or small group to get involved in. Make a plan.

Set your purpose – What aspects of your Christian faith are important to you? Can you summarize your purpose in a simple sentence? Hebrews 12:1-2, Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of (our) faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Follow the Plans- Problems arise when the workers ignore the plans. Use God's word to give your life direction – Psalm 119:105 "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

Build a Strong Foundation in Christ- With Jesus Christ as your foundation, let that be the firm foundation of all your life decisions. Psalm 31: 2 "Bow down thine ear unto me; deliver me speedily: be thou to me a strong rock , a house of defense to save me. 3 For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me and guide me."

Understand that the Building components work together. Many people try and live as if each aspect of their life is a separate room. The truth is that our lives are one big structure with interdependent parts. The Bible's metaphor of the church being like the human body is also a good picture of our personal life.

Don't Work Alone- God never intended us to be solo Christians. We need accountability and encouragement from each other. Hebrews 10:23-24: 23 let us hold fast the confession of our hope that it waver not; for he is faithful that promised: 24 and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works.

As we begin a New year I pray that the building program of the church will help you focus on your own personal faith building program and give vision for the future to our shared ministry.



Pastor Craig