God's System of Church Building
It is our belief that God's system of building is based on faith.
Faith is the single element - throughout the Scripture - that guides our lives.
By faith, God created the Heavens and Earth (Heb 11)
1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
4By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
5By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
By Faith, we are saved. By Faith, we receive our healing.
The just (justified) shall live by faith. Hebrews 10:38
Living by faith means depending on God for our every sustenance.
Too often, we turn to credit, instead of God, to fulfill our needs.
Credit is not wrong, but it is not the best either. God is the best.
The First Rule for Building using God's system is to get your congregation,
both the church and the individuals, out of debt.
How? By teaching them to get out of debt.
That means you, pastor. Lead by example. Sell that new car, have a yard sale, cut up the credit cards.
Some of the best lessons on this are taught by Dave Ramsey.
Getting out of debt usually means your credit will get ruined in the process. That is good. You do not need credit to survive in God's plan. Really, you don't. Remember, until the 1960's there were NO CREDIT CARDS.
If your congregation was out of debt, they would and could really GIVE to the Lords work.
If you have 50 families, and the average family income in the USA is now $42,500 per year, then the tithe of that income should be $4250 per family x 50 = $212,500. If your income is $200,000 per year at the church you will be able to save for a modest building very quickly.
You should also realize that there are brothers and sisters in Christ who can help you build. Have you heard of the Amish? They all come together to build their barns, schools, etc. Have your heard of Carpenters for Christ? These are men who come and build your church. The Mennonites have a ministry for churches that have been in disasters. Many denominations do. (if you are an independent church, you may be missing out on some of these blessings.)
Build with Partners
There are other congregations in your area that are in the same boat you are in. Consider joining together with them, either merging congregations or sharing a building. Some other denominations meet on days other than Sunday, Seventh Day Adventists and Baptists, Jewish, some Catholics, etc. There is nothing in scripture that says we should worship on Sunday. The Sabbath starts Friday nights! Perhaps you can do as this church did and share a building. Remember, this is God's work, not yours. It is His people, not yours. Yield to Him.
King David Syndrome
Pastor, let me speak with you.
Most pastors fail in this one area - they get a big head.
Like most Pastors, David started as a man after God's own heart. Anointed, chosen by Samuel because....
'Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart'.
David, King of Israel, man of power, prestige, wealth.
Until Bathsheba. At the very root of David’s problems, we find a king who wasn’t where he belonged. If David had been out in the battlefield, where the king was supposed to be, instead of hanging around the palace looking at naked women, this whole incident would have never happened. Some have suggested that David may have been battling depression, or having a "mid-life crisis." In either event, he wasn’t where he belonged -- which, at least in my life, is often the first step of a downhill slide. What is he remembered for? The sin of wanting what he could not have.
Lots of pastors today are the same. They want a grand building, paved in gold. They want a Cathedral. They want the biggest, best, most expensive stuff you can put in a building. They want to be King David.
Get real. Start with a realistic building. KISS (Keep it simple, stupid!)
Summary
Get out of debt.
Get your people out of debt.
Teach them to be givers.
Lead your church to tithe its income to other ministries.
Sow your seeds. Ask God to provide by faith.
People will learn faith when they see it in action at church.
Plant your seeds, water with patience, the harvest will come.
See the miracle of provision by God take place
Next: Building to Minister Plan
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