We were just told, to our utter surprise, that the entire '55
building will not be habitable during construction of the new
building this next school year. That's the building where the
offices are and where almost all the Sunday School happens –
plus a hundred other things. This message came from the contractor
on the basis of how torn up the building will be. For example, the
roof comes off in order to build the new fourth floor, and much of
the Fellowship Hall gets ripped up as they move the bathrooms to
different locations.

This means that there will be no children's Sunday School onsite
on Sunday mornings next year, until we are in the new building on
(Lord willing) Labor Day, 2003. It also means that all the other
events that usually happen in the '55 building will have to cease
or move out of that building – including children's programs
for Wednesday nights. In other words, it will be a radically
different year.

We are devoting a lot of time and energy these days dreaming
about what we should focus our energies on next year. Our attitude
as a staff is one of hope-filled expectancy, because when God
evicted his people from Jerusalem it was because he wanted the
gospel to spread in new ways (Acts 8:1, 4; 11:19). We are an
inveterately optimistic staff (because of Romans 8:28).

Yes, we must find office space offsite for about 30 people. That is
a given. No, it was not budgeted for this year. But God will
provide the space and the funds. And with them, great blessing in
ways we cannot now see. We will keep you posted on what we find.
Little has been decided at this time with regard to children's
ministries. Pray for us and share your ideas.

My own confidence is that God is up to something good. Whatever
else we plan for next year, it seems very likely to me that a
tremendous new emphasis will fall on small groups and home meetings
and parent-based children's ministry in homes. For many of us, this
looks very healthy. Not that we think programs are wrongheaded.
Rather we believe that there is so much more that can be done and
should be done in homes and in small groups.

Everyone knows that in a large church to build and maintain
friendships requires effort. A healthy network of relationships
does not happen without some intention. Is God pressing us to work
harder at this? For example, if you do not have Sunday School on
Sunday morning, what will you do with the extra time? God forbid
that you will go home and watch TV! What about families doing
something creative together that would be as good as Sunday School?
What about couples and singles (and couples with singles!) doing
brunch together in a "sermon-discussion-setting" and praying for
each other. What about bringing an unbeliever to worship service
and then going out to lunch? What about calling your own family
together before worship and having a time of prayer for the service
before you come?

We are not sure what the ministry will look like during the
week. So I ask again, please pray for us. Let's live out our
theology of confidence in the goodness and sovereignty of God. That
means: "Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you
may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in
the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine
as lights in the world. (Philippians 2:14-15).

Steady with Christ at the wheel,

Pastor John