A Plan
Laila watched the TV screen for news of closings of churches because of snow. More than 40 of the churches listed were new churches in our area.
Many of these churches are small groups to a few dozen people meeting in rented buildings, homes, even garages. A few churches have moved from home-to-home on a rotating basis.
Over the past few years several churches have closed. Others have divided (not peacefully).
Reasons for new churches vary. New communities, new people groups, new cultures, growth and division, etc., can be positive reasons. Other churches have begun because of contention and theological differences.
A growing number of new churches are independent. In the spirit of social revolution groups of people and ministers posit their liberation from all authority and association with an organization. Reading their websites and listening to their leaders leaves the impression that “independency” is a higher form of spirituality.
It is important to understand that independency is a spirit of our times. Since the 1970’s Watergate political capers distrust is sold at a premium. Talking about not trusting leadership has too often been considered a virtue.
Let's be practical. Covenant Church was begun in 1952. A church in Northern Albemarle gave its pastor and some of its finest members to seed a church in Charlottesville. The first sanctuary in East Charlottesville was built with volunteer labor at a cost of about $8,000. In time the property was sold and 2 acres of land was purchased for $33,000 at the current site in late 1970’s. Today the 7 acres and 50,000+ square feet of Covenant buildings is tax-assessed about six million dollars.
What is the point? New churches starting in Charlottesville need about $500,000 to have hope of a building and parking that will accommodate growth. This is part of the reason why Covenant is commonly asked to rent facilities to other congregations: They cannot afford property of their own that will offer growth potential.
Covenant offers more than buildings. Covenant has been a stable ministry for 58 years. Solid in biblical foundations, excellent children’s ministry, committed to missions (foreign and local), good music, excellent location, strong pastoral staff, ad infinitum…Covenant has continued to stay in the forefront of community leadership. Covenant is a home for growing leaders.
We are a part of an international body of about eight million. We are Pentecostal/charismatic/evangelical. We live and practice being born-again of the Spirit of God, living a sanctified life, and being filled with the Holy Ghost. We do not practice infant baptism as a confirmation of salvation.
We practice tithing--which keeps our economy stable and allows us to be strong in mission outreach.
We believe that we are living the New Testament in our time. We are not afraid to make appropriate changes for our time, but we do not chase after fads and fashions. When we have struggles, we do not quarrel, we go to prayer and scripture.
God has honored Covenant. We are strong. We intend to be strong when Jesus comes for His Church.
As we all commit to totally follow Christ in 2010 we expect our best is yet to come. God’s Word cannot fail. We will teach and preach and practice the Word! We have a plan, and it is God’s plan.
Committed,
Pastor Bare
Jeremiah 29:11