1 July 2009
What is going on with our location situation?
Negotiations.
As high as the heavens are above the earth so great is the price the developers are wanting for our church building. Last Wednesday, I met with them and was unable to come up with an agreed upon price. For the next 6 weeks however, they are wanting to continue to negotiate with us. I am firm on not paying more than we can afford. Some days it feels impossible, but all days I find myself encouraged with the expectation that the same God who led us into this building in extraordinary circumstances two previous times is more than able to bring us back a third.
While negotiating, we have been exploring many other options. Warehouses, rented spaces, university halls, schools… the list is large and pricey.
Last night we met out behind the old church building and prayed prayers of remembrance. Remembering who God is, what He has done in ages past, what He has done for us thus far, and asking Him to remember our situation and intervene.
We have also formed a small ‘location strategy team’ which is exploring raising more funds (which we will need no matter what option we pursue), venue options, official negotiations for the old building, and long-term strategies for our church ‘home’.
Pray for Susan and Nichol whom God has brought to our church just at the right time to help us navigate these days. They have lived in Glasgow for a long time and know much more about commercial property than I do.
I cannot help but be encouraged by the timing of everything. This is the perfect Summer for this upheaval to happen as I am not in Seattle. Summer is the perfect season for this to take place as the students vacate Glasgow and many people are here and there on their holidays. I cannot think of a better week to have moved out than the one we did – the last weekend before the start of summer. God seems to be in all of this, even in these small details.
Keep praying!
July 18th, 2009 at 4:55 am
Your faith amazes and encourages me. God is certainly active and working on you and the churches behalf. I am looking forward to being with you all soon.