Build And Keep Building.

"Don't stop at the building. As much as we need it, and we need it, don't stop there, because that's only a launching pad for what God is going to do..." -Reverend Art Alexander

One of the things I appreciate about Reverend Art Alexander is that he doesn't have a problem with being prophetic. As District Superintendent, and as our brother in the Lord, he came to us last Sunday and told us what we needed to hear. Today, let's consider the implications of the above quote.

The physical building is a necessary means of adhering to our mission. We recognize that God has placed us in the Bronx, and we have a responsibility to serve the community in which our main properties exist. Part of our strategy in having "a place for everyone" is to create spaces where everyone can be served. For years now, our community children and youth have been relegated to spaces that are inadequate; today, we are on the threshold of opening new spaces of service for the youngest in our faith community. With our donations and our construction, we are going beyond words and moving into actions that fulfill our mission and vision.

"Don't stop at the building." Pastor Art noted that the building is only one of several steps our church must take in fulfillment of mission and vision. There are some actions that have already begun, as evidenced by our Summer Serve initiatives. We are showing the love of Jesus to our community not merely through providing food, but also through connecting with local community leaders and politicians. Being "practical and compassionate" goes beyond Bible study. We are cleaning sidewalks. We are informing residents of educational and civic concerns. We are getting out of the church buildings and into the neighborhood, because the neighborhood also needs to be built up.

The launching pad. Pastor Art, in tagging our new building as a launching pad, hinted at our Christian responsibility to not just serve, but also to send. Our Lord allowed us to see a glimpse of this last summer as several people from our church went on their first missions trip to Colombia, South America. In its first few decades of existence, Bronx Bethany was known as "the singing church". Today, we are moving into being identified as a serving church. Our future, if we are to be "a redemptive influence in the Bronx and in the world", must involve a significant number of persons being sent from our church to the far reaches of the world as true ambassadors of Christ. Let us pray that over the next few decades, we will be identified as a sending church.

"... for what God is going to do." Over all these things, Pastor Art reminded us that any work "we" accomplish must be made manifest by the work of God's Spirit in and with us. God has graciously allowed us the privilege of participation in His project. We must never forget that without God's hand upon us, Bronx Bethany cannot do anything of merit. Let us continually submit ourselves to the Lord, giving ourselves completely and exclusively to Him, so that He can freely do His works through us.

Yes, Lord, we submit individually. We submit corporately. We serve faithfully. Please teach us and position us to be sent as Your ambassadors locally and globally. Thank You for the physical and spiritual buildings You have spoken into being. We look forward to the future You have planned for Your people. We love You, Lord Jesus.