I'm beginning to realize that I've never felt really alone. As comforting as God's presence should be, His promise of constant companionship has often felt annoying. I have taken physical comfort for granted so what then have I done with the presence of the Comforter? In disobedience, His grip becomes as uncomfortable as a father clinging to the child who is in danger of falling into a canyon. I cry from the depth of my soul, "Please don't let go." even as I feel the foolishness of my inability to walk with confidence. Many or our scars are not only the wounds of a cold world and cruel enemy, but also the furious grip of a Savior who refuses to let us be destroyed by them.

Patience, Faithfulness, and Obedience

It was astonishing the other day when I looked at the calendar and realized that it was 2003. You can’t let yourself think about these things you know. Time is just something you have to flow with because let’s be honest, it’s going to flow with or without you. I have now spent a third of my life at a church that I came to ‘volunteer’ at a decade ago. I have learned many things but the most significant would have to be the power of combining three powerful forces, time(patience), faithfulness, and obedience. One can exist without the other but put them together and the blessings multiply before your eyes. Not that things happen quickly though. Often it isn’t until you look back that you see clearly God’s Divine guidance and you realize who was really in control all along.
Such has happened here at Calvary Worship Center. Six years ago we put a bid of five thousand dollars on five acres of prime highway property in north Austin. This property was owned by the local school district and was being auctioned off publicly. Though the property was worth nearly one hundred times our bid amount, we were notified that our bid had been accepted due to a historical clause in the title that the land could only be used as a school, church, or cemetery, forever. We were simply the only church that bid on it. We knew God had a plan for this body so we prayed that He would give us a clear vision. We began to feel as though this church was not destined to become a body of 10,000 in one location but that it was a body of 100,000 in 500 locations. So much of the spiritual growth and maturity in this body has come from those who have committed themselves to the birthing process and developed patience, demonstrated faithfulness, and exercised obedience. We felt as though the worst thing we could do for the kingdom of God was to produce a place where every program is in place and run by professionals. That formula works if all you intend to do is build a congregation of onlookers but that’s not what we’re called to do. We are called to make disciples and that involves believing in God’s ability to use those who feel as though they have nothing to offer the kingdom and there are many people like that in churches today. So we have devoted ourselves to uncovering the hidden gifts within this body as well as equip the priesthood of the believers and in doing so we have discovered that the five fold ministry exists all over our congregation, not just in the pulpit. So our vision became clear as we realized that we would not be holding onto people but we would be building them up only to send them out to take another group of disciples through the same process of pioneering and birthing a work not only in another part of the city but most importantly, in them.
Further investigation into the history of the property uncovered some incredible confirmation of that vision. We found that the site had actually been a settlement in the 1850s called Merrilltown and was at that time the last outpost between here and Colorado. A church was built there and thrived with revival but not among the membership in the community but in the many people who were making their way west in search of gold and a better life. The treasure that many found, however, came at an altar in that little church where newspaper articles from that day speak of the sounds of prayer and praise extending long into the night as people came from all over to worship and watch lives changed forever. One article was written by a man who remembered his time as a child in Merrilltown attempting to sleep under a wagon outside but not being able to for the “sound of those praying was like thunder”. The pastor at that time realized that he would never build a church where people would come and stay forever but that he would have to send them out and if he was to do so he would send them out as pioneers not for gold, but for God. That church building sat upon the exact same spot that our new facility is currently being built.
As of this writing the site is being prepared and forms are being built for the foundation of a 12,000 square ft Texas limestone building that while much larger will look very similar to the original structure. The beautiful reality of all of this is that we are not a part of an original vision that began with us but we are a part of a vision that God gave to a church 150 years ago and has now extended farther into the future than they could ever go. Should Jesus tarry we pray that this vision of expanding the Kingdom by producing patient, faithful, and obedient disciples will continue farther into the future than we could ever reach as well.
Grace and peace
Bill

Recently I was asked why one would benefit by going to a small church with needs as opposed to a large church with professional caliber programming. The following was the response.

"Whenever a person looks for a church it involves a step of faith. CS Lewis (I believe) said of faith, "If we consider the unblushing and staggering nature of reward promised in the Gospels it would seem that our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak." Keep that in the back of your mind and I'll come back to it in a sec.

Believers look for churches with a few things in mind. They may want to join a class. That is that they have plenty of relationships as it is and simply want to come to further their theological education. They also may want to join a family. That is that they don't really care about the details of what is taught. The only question they want answered is, "Am I accepted?" Or they may want to join an army. That is they want to be a part of a group of people who have a purpose and are on a mission. They have something to offer and want an outlet. As a class we're blessed with a church full of people who are 'apt to teach'. As a family CWC is a truly loving community. But as an army we are sorely lacking. Not in purpose and mission but in soldiers with specific skills. There are many many many many .... opportunities that exist at CWC to be used by God to create something that has never existed within this body before. Certainly having polished ministries and programs in place is a welcome option, but I have come to believe that a crucial part of the Spiritual maturity of people is the priceless process of birthing a mission fuelled by the greatest cause of all.

Now think back to the CS Lewis quote. In this light consider that what you desire in a church may not exist yet. But perhaps God has placed in you a desire to be a part of a church that you will help create as opposed to a body that has been already created for you."