An Extraordinary Grace: Partnership in the Gospel

Months ago I posted the story of our church's pursuit of larger space for our meetings.  We live in Southern California -- land of very high priced real estate and dense development.  Most churches move from renting school space to leasing some kind of commercial space.  It is the only path for growth that seems possible -- either that or they share a facility with another church.

We concluded that it was time to seek a larger place and began a quest with prayer and fasting. God provided a landlord and gave our people grace to give in an extraordinary way.  But here in San Diego there is no land or lease-able space zoned for church use.  You must buy the land or sign the lease and then apply for permission to use it as a church.  We signed the lease and applied for the permit.  This process usually takes 4-6 months.  We budgeted for this.  We hired the best help to expedite the process we could get.

Quite to our surprise the local community and the city looked with disfavor on our request.  In their desire to serve the community, they did not want to compromise the industrial park for non-industrial use (certainly an understandable position).  In the months that followed God gave grace to walk with honor toward the planners, provided free legal counsel, free environmental impact studies, and wonderful persistent faith and unity in the church.

In short, 13 months later we have our permit. 

That brings me to the extraordinary grace we have found in our Sovereign Grace Ministries family of churches.  I want to honor God's grace in this post and tell you of this grace.

First, there has been nothing but support and prayer and counsel from our leadership.  Every step of the way they have cared for us, asked great questions, stood with us, given us time and counsel.  They have prayed for us and led others to pray for us.

Second, our costs have been large as we have had to pay the lease on an empty building -- but our people have given with great sacrifice and the Sovereign Grace leadership team has helped.  And more than that, two other churches, without our asking, have given substantially to our project.  When the checks came from these other churches, I was struck by the sense of Gospel-partnership they represented -- not something I have seen anywhere else in ministry in the USA.  One church gave 10% of their building fund.  The other gave with abundance as well. This last Sunday we announced this exceptional gift and there was an audible gasp in the congregation, then spontaneous applause.

God is to be glorified for such grace as it is only grace that would call and enable a church to sacrifice to serve another fellowship in need.  This is NT partnership.

I want to ask readers of this blog to pray for us . . .  we are seeking final bids for making the space useful to us as a church.  God is at work.  The budget is tight.  But we are trusting Him for the future.

Comments

[Rachel Ellis]

Thanks for letting us know how God provided, dad! I will keep praying for the San Diego church!

[Jane Reinheimer]

1 Peter 5:6-8 -- Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around looking for someone to devour.

God answers prayer. He hears me and he listens to me. I must sound like a nagging child to him, begging and pleading for things I pray for.

Things I want to do, but can't without his help and permission.

Places I want to go, but can't without his approval.

So I keep asking, but not moving until I get what I figure is a sign. Then I pray that I haven't misinterpreted what he may have thought was a pretty clear signal to me.

Oh, my Lord, you have the patience of the universe in your heart. Thank you for loving me.

Then there are times in my quiet prayers when other people's thoughts meander through my consciousness. They're the ones who says to me, "God doesn't answer my prayers. You're just lucky."

To which I counter, "No, I'm not. You just need to be more specific -- more visual. Give God a picture of what you're visualizing. Draw God an image of what you're hoping for. He's waiting for a really clear idea from you. That way he can be sure of what it is you're praying for. Give him something he can act on."

And the conversation continues, "But God can read my mind. If he knows what I'm thinking, why doesn't he just figure out what I want?"

Then I counter, again, "So your idea is that God should do all the work and you just have to sit by and wait for something wonderful to happen? And why do you suppose God give you the ability to create beautiful and clear images? And why do you suppose God gave you the amazing ability to solve problems through the gift of intelligence? And why do you suppose God made us all active beings, not passive whispers that move hither and thither in whatever direction the breezes blow?"

Oh Lord, I thank you for the gift of courage that tells me it's okay to bring my wants and needs to you. I pray that you will bless me, just as you did Jabez, thousands of years ago.

I pray that you will give me the power of insight and discernment so that I can help the anguished people you have sent to my door.

I pray that you will protect me from Satan and all that is evil, so that I will not bring pain to anyone.

I pray that you will continue to bless Quint and me with good health. Thank you so much for relatively minor physical ailments that are merely nuisances, not life threatening disease. I pray that you bless all our children with peace and good jobs and prosperity for all the days of their lives. I pray that you will bless all our grandchildren so that they continue to learn and do well in school -- especially if they are having tests today. Getting good grades means so much to them and their fragile little identities that are just starting to bloom.

I thank you for the opportunities you have given Quint and me so that we can do your work for in doing your work, we have enjoyed the prosperities that you have so richly blessed us with.

We thank you for keeping our homes warm and dry and for bringing us the necessary money to pay all our bills.

We pray for each and every person who comes across our threshold in the weeks and days and months that we serve them and you. Keep us all strong in our faith.

For those who are struggling with forgiving others, please send them the gift of your Holy Spirit to counsel them and intercede with the struggles in their hearts that are put there by Satan -- the struggles and pains that they have made idols of. Wash away these painful thoughts from them and make Satan leave them alone so that they can enjoy peace in your embrace.

I especially thank you for the increase in traffic to our web site. I pray that we will be able to reach even more people -- some in far distant places around the world.

You are truly a wonder to me, Oh Lord. I am thankful to be one of your children. I thank you for all the gifts you have given to me. In Jesus' name, I pray.

Amen.