God Hasn't Moved
Gill and I are still in Scotland, but got word today that last night (Tuesday) the Town Board slipped the proposed code change onto their agenda and passed it. This means that to build more than 15,000 square feet in a residential area now requires a variance. In our case that variance must be applied for to the Town Board itself.
While I am surprised and disappointed that this was passed, we will continue to follow what the new law stipulates and will now prepare an appeal for the Town Board. I expect them to reject it,as I am sure the sole purpose of this amendement is to stop our building. If this indeed happens, we will pursue the legal road of suing the Town to establish what our attorney advises is our first amendment right. His work would be pro bono and the Town will be compelled to pay his expenses when they are found to be denying us our constitutional right.
So where does this leave us?
+ It leaves us coming to the end of our seventh year with a good strong, vibrant church.
+ It leaves us with eight men serving others in Mississippi, 22 ready to go to the Dominican Republic in three weeks, 2 leaving for India in late October and six people going to South Africa on October 31st to encourage hurting children.
+ It leaves us on the edge of one of our most exciting Sundays ever, with 154 visitors expected on October 2nd.
+ It leaves us building up to our 40 Days of Community campaign that will draw us closer to one another and help us reach our communities.
In short, nothing has changed. God is still on the throne, we are still functioning very effectively as a church. This decision does not stop us, harm us or hurt us.
We will continue to pursue our building application. But remember one of the most effective churches in our country - Rick Warren's Saddleback Church - grew to 10,000 people over 15 years without a building of their own. This may be taking longer than we expected, but God has it all in hand. Let's build the church and the church building will come together in its time.
While I am surprised and disappointed that this was passed, we will continue to follow what the new law stipulates and will now prepare an appeal for the Town Board. I expect them to reject it,as I am sure the sole purpose of this amendement is to stop our building. If this indeed happens, we will pursue the legal road of suing the Town to establish what our attorney advises is our first amendment right. His work would be pro bono and the Town will be compelled to pay his expenses when they are found to be denying us our constitutional right.
So where does this leave us?
+ It leaves us coming to the end of our seventh year with a good strong, vibrant church.
+ It leaves us with eight men serving others in Mississippi, 22 ready to go to the Dominican Republic in three weeks, 2 leaving for India in late October and six people going to South Africa on October 31st to encourage hurting children.
+ It leaves us on the edge of one of our most exciting Sundays ever, with 154 visitors expected on October 2nd.
+ It leaves us building up to our 40 Days of Community campaign that will draw us closer to one another and help us reach our communities.
In short, nothing has changed. God is still on the throne, we are still functioning very effectively as a church. This decision does not stop us, harm us or hurt us.
We will continue to pursue our building application. But remember one of the most effective churches in our country - Rick Warren's Saddleback Church - grew to 10,000 people over 15 years without a building of their own. This may be taking longer than we expected, but God has it all in hand. Let's build the church and the church building will come together in its time.
posted by Roger Blackmore | 6:09 PM
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