07/15/2014
It's hard to believe it has been almost a year since any posting has taken place on this page. I'd like to update those of you who are following as to the situation with our church. I would also like to ask for your prayers as we decide the future of not only our building program, but also our organization as a whole.
After beginning a study through the book of Acts, it became glaringly obvious that we at Life Fellowship were lacking an essential ingredient in the make up of the New Testament church. But putting our finger on the specific something has proven to be a difficult task.
I asked the church to pray about a number of things, first of which was the future of the building program. There was a sense in the church that the building was totally unnecessary for the work of ministry and was draining the life out of the church body. Considering that we inherited the program from others who preceded us and where no longer there, it was a difficult project to take ownership of. However, wanting to insure we were not overreacting, I asked the church to pray. There was a strong sense of unity in the same thing - we need to dispose of this property.
Secondly, I asked the church to consider a move from the Garden Club in Live Oak, to another church where no rent was charged, and we could meet in off-times from the other church. So far, it all seems to be going smoothly with this, as the other church has approved our request.
However, the more I study Acts, the more I come to understand that God calls people to form a body of believers for a purpose that is unique to their make-up. It may be that a church is started in a town or city because no other church that teaches the truth of God's Word is present. The problem with our congregation is that the building program was started in a community adjacent to two or three good Bible-believing churches which believe as we do. They could do the work of ministry in this community without the additional cost of another church budget.
So I asked members of the church to pray about combining our fellowship with one of the other churches, after the disposal of our assets and dissolution of the legal entity. And this is what I am asking your prayers for - God's leadership - has He called this body to be separate from other local churches for a specific purpose? If so, could He make it known to us? Pray for someone to come and take over our property and use it for the glory of God. Pray for a direction that will lead us to His purpose for us. Pray for commitment and a conviction in the members and myself to be faithful until God answers our petitions. Pray for encouragement and the inspiration to see a piece of God's plan for each of us as we face this uncertain future. Please pray!
