Three weeks ago, God put a prayer in my heart that I haven’t been able to shake.
An Invitation to a Radical Prayer
From Pastor Chris
Three weeks ago, God put a prayer in my heart that I haven’t been able to shake. I wasn’t asking for it or even thinking in its general direction. But in one of my prayer times, when I was still enough to listen, this is the question that God asked me to ask him, and I want to include you in the asking as well. Here it is:
How can we maximize our campus to magnify God’s reputation in our community?
God has tremendously blessed us with 7 acres of land, upon which sits 3 rental houses and a 35,000 square foot church building. These are means to an end, and the end is magnifying God’s reputation in our community. As we have seen in the biblical story of God’s name–his character, identity, renown, and reputation–this is the end, the goal of why the church exists in the first place: to display God to the world. So the question is how. We know that we are here to glorify God, to magnify his reputation, but how does he want to do that through the building we have?
For those who are quick on their feet, we could brainstorm possible answers to this question right away. That is not what I am asking for. Rather, I am inviting us to begin asking God what he wants. This could take months. But I believe God wants us to begin this journey now.
Let me share two points of clarification and one opportunity.
First, I believe God’s reputation is already magnified in our community through how we use our building. We are known locally for our clothing and food ministries, hosting support groups, Vacation Bible School, and other ministries. I am grateful for all of these and how they speak of God’s mercy and compassion. The question, however, is how God wants us to maximize our campus. There is so much more that could happen in our building throughout the week to engage the needs of our community and to proclaim the life-giving news of Jesus’ death and resurrection. What expanded vision is he giving us for this work?
Second, our concept of mission and magnifying God’s reputation should not be constricted to our campus. Jesus has called us to go and make disciples. This may involve increased activity in the community, whether with schools or in your neighborhood or with existing ministries. This prayer is not ultimately about our building but God’s renown, and he will likely mobilize us both in our building and in other places in our area.
Finally, an opportunity. One way to dream God-sized dreams about reaching out to our community is by hearing stories of what God has done in other churches. The point is not to simply duplicate what others have done but to have our sanctified imagination sparked with new possibilities.
As you can read in the announcement above, we have such an opportunity coming up next week when Adam Estle joins us on Wednesday, April 11th at 7 PM in the Lower Chapel. Please make plans to join us for this event as Adam shares the story of Orangewood Church in Phoenix.
How can we maximize our campus to magnify God’s reputation in our community? Please pray this with me and look for upcoming opportunities to pray, brainstorm, and dream about the greater things God wants to do through Groveton Baptist Church.