Would you rather build or rebuild? Melanie and I remember the excitement of the church building our parsonage when we were newlyweds. A wonderful lady named Bert climbed the ladder to work on the roof. In each of the four churches we have served, we have shared in a building program. No question. It is hard work but it is fun to build. Rebuilding not so much.
Imagine Solomon’s joy in seeing the temple built in Jerusalem. Then think of the dismay of the people of God when Babylon desecrated that temple. Years passed in exile. The people returned. They had to rebuild their own homes. Years passed, but the temple remained in disarray. Haggai preached to the returned exiles and encouraged them to complete the temple. He told the leaders Zerubbabel and Joshua to be strong because God was with them.
We remember when Tallowood built five new buildings on our present campus. We also remember the remodel of our current chapel. After Hurricane Ike tore the roof off the sanctuary, we remodeled it into our chapel. Sacrificial gifts enabled hard work to produce sacred space.
What is the great need of your church today? The church is not finally a location or a building. Peter would later say the church is comprised of living stones connected to Jesus, the cornerstone (1 Peter 2:1-10). Christ is building his church as congregations across our city and country rebuild their membership after the challenges of recent years.
All of our fear is caused by calculating without God. You may remember a time when the church was larger or more active. My friend Paul Rummage had a sign on his desk when he was pastor of FBC Buffalo, Oklahoma: “Ask not what your church can do for you. Ask what you can do for your church.”
Let’s listen to Haggai: Be strong, all you people, and work, for God is with us as we rebuild. What if the glory of God’s presence in his rebuilt church will be greater even than it was before? This is our hope. It is time to work. Best of all: God is with us in this labor of love. His Spirit remains among us. Do not fear.
