Little help here?
So I’m trying to figure out exactly what this blog will look like over the next couple of years. I’ve committed myself to putting some serious time into RLP. I thought maybe you could help me think about this.
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Covenant Stories: Sabbath Rest
Story #14 in the Covenant series
I would have to say that our time meeting at Fox Run Elementary was wonderful. Unfortunately, we were facing a hard deadline. The school district was very accommodating to churches that wished to meet in schools, but they would only allow a church to meet in their schools for two years. They weren't wanting permanent residents, so their policy made good sense. We hoped that we would grow while we were at Fox Run and reach a place where we could afford our own building. Unfortunately, though we added some wonderful families in those years, we also lost the last of the families from the Kenny era. By then there were only 2 families from the original church. Though the land was paid for, we did not have the money to even consider beginning a building project.
Our two years in the school would be up in the middle of 1997. As the date approached, we began looking for a new place to meet. We had even less money in our budget than we had when we left the Duckblind Lounge, and schools were no longer an option. I drove around our neighborhood, as I had two years earlier, looking for a place where a church could meet for a few hundred dollars a month. I didn't find anything. There were places, to be sure, but none that we could afford.
It was pretty discouraging, and I began to have renewed doubts about whether our church would be able to stay together...
READ MORE at the High Calling Blogs website.
Works in Progress
“Lenten Satchel” a short essay on the strange items that make up my Lenten journey this year. Because of Tracy’s comment.
“The Bottom of Things,” an essay in progress.
“Last Things,” an essay about my final days at Covenant. Soon to be published by the Christian Century. Will be linked here when it is online at the CC website.
My Latest Book
I’m proud to announce that Turtles All The Way Down came out in November of 2009. This was my first experience with the Consafo model of social media community publishing.
2000 copies were printed. We sold well over 500 as advance purchases or in the weeks leading up to Christmas. This paid for the printing costs completely.
Good story
Submitted by James (not verified) on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 09:37.I'm one of those who discovered this blog through the Orthodox gossip network. This ongoing story about Covenant's journey is terribly interesting. Your writing is compelling and I'm glad to have found your blog. Thanks!
I recently discovered Real
Submitted by Paige (not verified) on Fri, 06/12/2009 - 12:35.I recently discovered Real Live Preacher through a link on someone else's blog and have been working my way slowly through the entire archives. I am greatly enjoying the series about how your church came to be - please continue! I'm taking what you might call baby steps toward some sort of faith and your writing is lighting a path for me. Thank you for what you do.
sabbath
Submitted by Holly (not verified) on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 11:05.As someone who plans + schedules "programs" for church, one of the things that troubles me is how church sometimes conflicts with actually having a weekly day of rest. It's a balance that's tough to tread, for families especially, who are so busy. I am big-time in favor of sabbath rest, and I hope churches can find a way to make sure we are not just one more task to conduct during the week, but contribute to a spirit of restfulness, whether it's on Sunday or Saturday or whatever day. Thanks for your thoughts Gordon. Still enjoying the Covenant series.
Thank you so much for these
Submitted by richard (not verified) on Sat, 06/13/2009 - 19:42.Thank you so much for these Covenant Stories, Gordon. As a small church pastor I find them interesting, helpful, and edifying. Please keep it up!
Blessings,
Richard
nice story
Submitted by Judy Patterson (not verified) on Tue, 06/16/2009 - 09:12.it is an inspiring story, thanks for the read.
Difficult
Submitted by Pollard on Sun, 06/21/2009 - 13:57.I think it would be very difficult to grow your church when meeting at a school. Some people would have a tough time attending church at a school just because they would always think of it as a school and not a church. It's sad that you have actually lost a few people and not the budget has less money as you stated. Have you thought about approaching a few busines or building owners to rent space? They may let you have it (being a good deed) at least for a few months till you can rebuild. casino en ligne
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