52 Days of Learning

Over the last 52 days, Centerpointe Church came together to renovate, restore, remodel and upgrade the church facilities and systems. People gave generously of their time and resources to "Make it So." I am so proud of the unity and sacrifice of our people. We studied the book of Nehemiah as a congregation and we tracked along closely with the people of Israel in the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem and the later reforms.

During this time, we have learned some valuable lessons together that are worth mentioning:

1. Working together is more about people than projects. Personalities come to surface as we are put in pressure situations, but at the end of the day, we are still a family and God gets the glory. The building simply houses the activity of God's people for a few hours a week, the rest of God's activity happens outside of the church walls.

2. We can dream what seems to be impossible dreams. In God's hands, nothing is impossible. With a church of 200, it did not make since to tackle such a project in such a short amount of time, but God specializes in things thought impossible.

3. It's amazing what can be done when God's people work together. There is no way we could have accomplished what we did if we did not have many volunteers show up and work together.

4. Although change is necessary, change is hard work. Even when people work together, it is difficult - but so worth it.

5. Doing anything for God demands courage and commitment. If you are going to do anything for God, you will take a little heat. I am so proud of the leaders of Centerpointe who took a risk to move forward. They agreed on the plan and stuck to it.

6. Vision has to be communicated over and over again for people to buy into it. Even though the staff grew tired of talking about the 52 days after the second week, the congregation was just catching on. Constant communication is critical.

7. God is willing and able. Every time something came up that we could not handle, God sent someone along at just the right time with the right skills to help. He seemed to be saying at every critical moment, "I got your back." He is not only a mighty God, He is an active God who is involved in the details of our lives. 

 

We still have a lot to learn. For one, just like the Israelites, we will have to learn how to live in a new environment. It will take a lot of love and patience. In fact, we will have to be more like Jesus than ever before, so that's a good thing.

We have "readied the house", now let's "fill the house."