When to move and when to get out of the way

I don't often talk about our faith and spirituality (or religion if you will — though religion is a markedly "push button" word). Our church has been in existence for about 3 years and is what is called a "church plant" (people leaving and starting a new church, with the blessing and help of the church they are leaving). We've moved from the setting of a Rave Motion Pictures theater to a High School auditorium to a high school gym. This past Friday we learned that we're no longer allowed to use the school; and our last day was this Sunday.

That gave us 6 days — yes, 6 days — to find a new home. From day one we've been nothing if not mobile; assembling a full stage, sound system, very large video screen, seating, community stations, cafe tables and dinning and 5 huge inflatable bouncies. Fortunately for us, the janitors of the school loved us and gave us a few extra day warning of the possibility that we'd have to find a new home; and toot-sweet.

About a year ago we face a temporarily, but similar situation when we were unable to use the school facilities. We asked everyone to go to another church on that one Sunday, write down the successes and assets of that church, and we'd determine one to give a portion of our donations to them. Across the street from our offices is a church called Zion Global Ministries — a newer church of 1200 people; and a predominately African-American church. We loved what they did, how they did it. So we gave them a portion of our donations (and at the moment, we weren't really in the position to give, but we felt that God wanted us to do this). It turned out that Zion was in great financial need at the time, and our gift was an answer to prayer.

Jump to Friday, this week. After learning of our impending exit and scouring the entire countryside for a place, we remembered the church across the street (literally). Zion Global has 2 church building on their property; their main building and another one at the end of their property. Our pastor candidly asked if the building was available, and to our delight it was. Zion was ecstatic to provide us space, to give back to us, and help us in our plight.

The building isn't exactly fitting for our "culture", but its about the people, not the place. The blessing of giving, with an open heart, of building a relationship and trust; has been beneficial in more ways than we could have ever foreseen that year ago. We'd prefer to give our $1000 a week to a worthy cause we believe in; to walk side by side with our brothers and sisters in faith, to truly act out what we believe (that its about who you are, not what you look like, what you say, what you wear, what you drive or make).

I'm amazed and excited to think that we — a very white church — will be mingling and sharing time and space with a predominantly African-American church; regardless of faith or belief, the mere fact that we will be doing what is so often "preached" of tolerance, equality, but so seldom acted upon -- is a testament to acting on faith, doing what's right and not easy, and focusing on the community and people (the message, rather than the method). (Listen to the story here)