While the approval of the continuance of the work of the Task Force to make plans for the birthing of 250 new faith communities was exciting the approval of an 8 million dollar financial campaign to renovate and add onto the Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center in Blackstone demonstrated the a lack of foresight on the part of the Conference and reinforced the need for a recalibration of the missional mindset as found in people like John Wesley and Francis Asbury.
While the arguments for and against such a campaign are emotional for many, the crux of the issue has to do with setting priorities. Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, your heart is." Is our heart to be in a building or reaching people for Jesus Christ? How many new disciples were made at Blackstone last year? How many people could be reached with the good news of Jesus Christ for 8 million dollars? Is this 8 million dollars spent "on us"? Yes. How will having such a grand renovation help us in making "new" disciples of Jesus Christ?
The Great Commission says go and make disciples not build buildings for retreats. It is indeed a sad day in Virginia when we are focused on buildings instead of people.
No comments:
Post a Comment