I need help finding scripture

[Telrunya]

Hello everyone. I need your help on a project. I belong to a small rual church of about 300 members. We have around another 200 who attend our church regularly. Our church has been really growing by leaps and bounds (PRAISE GOD!!!) but this has raise a problem. Our current church is old and too small. We only have a seating capacity for 200 in the sacuary. I have gotten reports about people pulling into one of our two small parking lots and being unable to find a space, left. I know that our second servive is packed to standing room only. I have even heard that some people have looked at our nursery and left because that part of the building was built in the 1920's. Our church leadership knows all of this and wants to do something about it. All of that isn't the problem I need help with. We're remodling our nursery, we've posted signs on the first rows of parking for visitors only and we are training our hospitality ministry to address these problems before people leave. The one thing we really can't get around is the lack of room. Our building commity came up with three options. 1. Buy some property a block down the road that is available and build a new facility there while we continue to use our current facility. Then completely remodle the existing facility which we own to use for our youth ministries. 2 We can use the local high school to meet and tear down the current facility and build a new church on the same site. The problem with this option is that we would loose a parking lot because we would have to relocate the septic system there. We have the option of extending the larger parking lot but that is all on land that is leased from the city and they are talking about putting in a railroad track through where the parking lot would be extended through. 3 Tear down the old section of the building and leave the current sancuary and then add on a metal building to that. This is the most expensive option and we have all the problems that we have with option 2. Now before we can do anything our church charter requires a major decision like building a new facility to be ratified by the members. We have some of our members who don't want to change a thing. I'm trying to find as much scripture as I can to show them that we aren't being good stewards by not addressing the problems. Can you guys help me find scripture about this? I know God wants us to grow. (Matt. 28:18-20) and I know he wants us to use our resources wisely (Matt. 25:14-30). Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. I have to give a presentation on this Saturday.

[twistedsketch]

Well, if I think of any Scriptures I'll let you know. My church has recently had a building campaign. We were also bursting at the seams. We had would-be first timers leaving angrily because they couldn't find a place to park, and at the Easter service, despite the fact that we had one more service than usual that morning, people left because they couldn't find a seat (assuming they could find a place to park in the first place). I don't know how many of them were lost or in need, but every one of them counts to God. Rather than driving people away by not accommodating their needs to park and sit down, churches should expand their facilities (unless God gives a clear NO).

[Asaph]

I don't know if this will help much but:

Mark 4:1-2
4:1 And again He began to teach by the sea. And a great multitude was gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole multitude was on the land facing the sea. 2 Then He taught them many things by parables, and said to them in His teaching:
NKJV

Here it appears that the mulitudes were so large in number that Jesus uses the boat as an impromptu speaking platform. The point being that there was a problem with too many people and He solved it rather than ignoring it or chasing people away.

Asaph

[Telrunya]

Thanks Asaph. You make an excellent point.

[Stinker]

Hello everyone. I need your help on a project. I belong to a small rual church of about 300 members. We have around another 200 who attend our church regularly. Our church has been really growing by leaps and bounds (PRAISE GOD!!!) but this has raise a problem. Our current church is old and too small. We only have a seating capacity for 200 in the sacuary. I have gotten reports about people pulling into one of our two small parking lots and being unable to find a space, left. I know that our second servive is packed to standing room only. I have even heard that some people have looked at our nursery and left because that part of the building was built in the 1920's. Our church leadership knows all of this and wants to do something about it. All of that isn't the problem I need help with. We're remodling our nursery, we've posted signs on the first rows of parking for visitors only and we are training our hospitality ministry to address these problems before people leave. The one thing we really can't get around is the lack of room. Our building commity came up with three options. 1. Buy some property a block down the road that is available and build a new facility there while we continue to use our current facility. Then completely remodle the existing facility which we own to use for our youth ministries. 2 We can use the local high school to meet and tear down the current facility and build a new church on the same site. The problem with this option is that we would loose a parking lot because we would have to relocate the septic system there. We have the option of extending the larger parking lot but that is all on land that is leased from the city and they are talking about putting in a railroad track through where the parking lot would be extended through. 3 Tear down the old section of the building and leave the current sancuary and then add on a metal building to that. This is the most expensive option and we have all the problems that we have with option 2. Now before we can do anything our church charter requires a major decision like building a new facility to be ratified by the members. We have some of our members who don't want to change a thing. I'm trying to find as much scripture as I can to show them that we aren't being good stewards by not addressing the problems. Can you guys help me find scripture about this? I know God wants us to grow. (Matt. 28:18-20) and I know he wants us to use our resources wisely (Matt. 25:14-30). Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. I have to give a presentation on this Saturday.



The logical thing to do would be to divide up services on Sunday morning. One assebly meeting at the High School and the other assembly meeting at the original building. Try this for one year before committing to so much money.

[Flynmonkie]

My first reaction on reading this? I sort of agree with some of your members on not expanding at this momment, God said "He will build His church!", he needs no assistance! The best thing for you to do is talk about FAITH in that. Allow God to show His glory in taking care of the problems for you. And if things do not happen the way you might think they should, You know God is Sovereign, there might be things in the future that are yet forseen. He might just be telling you to "look up" for these needs! It sounds like you have a wonderful church group/family growing already, it seems to me that should be the most important thing, remember what happens to a House divided! In my very humble opinion :)

[Sephania]

2 Enlarge the space for your tent, extend the curtains of your dwelling; do not hold back, lengthen your cords, make your tent pegs firm. 3 For you will spread out to the right and the left, your descendants will possess the nations and inhabit the desolated cities. 4 Don't be afraid, for you won't be ashamed; don't be discouraged, for you won't be disgraced. You will forget the shame of your youth, no longer remember the dishonor of being widowed. 5 For your husband is your Maker, ADONAI-Tzva'ot is his name. The Holy One of Isra'el is your Redeemer. He will be called the God of all the earth. Isaiah 54

[Telrunya]

Thank you all so much. You've been a great help. The money actually won't be that big of a problem. Our youth ministry is now at 160 kids from 12-24 years old and growing rapidly. We had 20 come to Christ this last Wed.!! They won't fit in the old building anymore either so once we build the new facility we can sell the old to pay for the new. God has already provided alot of it and I am assured He will cover the remaining amount if there is any. Our presentation got pushed back until next weekend for the all church business meeting. Please pray for God's guidance for us. Thanks again all.