In Case You Missed It…
Dear Church,
We shared some exciting news on Sunday and I wanted to send the details out to our whole church in writing. After months of praying, and discussion, our offer on a building has been verbally accepted. Today we will be sending back the signed letter of intent which will begin a process to purchase a home for Calvary Chapel Petaluma. I’ve included photos to help you pray and get a feel for what’s next.
To be sure, there is a long process ahead to see a project like this come to full fruition, but it has begun. We want to walk with open hands, trusting the Lord, not forcing anything, but diligently walking through the process to see whether or not God confirms and provides this place for us. On Sunday, as we rejoiced together in the possibility of what the Lord might be doing, I asked two things of us:
1. That we would dedicate ourselves to work hard to maintain the unity of the Spirit as this process unfolds. If this really is the will and work of the Lord, there will undoubtedly be increased spiritual warfare around it. Like in Nehemiah the enemy always seeks to distract, discourage, and divide. Let’s not allow that to happen. I want to invite you to keep short accounts, pray continually, and be especially sober-minded. Ephesians 4:1–3 (ESV) I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (ESV) Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV) Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 2. That we would pray for God’s help to keep our eyes on the main thing. Jesus is building His church, but the church is not a building. The church is the people of God gathered to worship, love each other, and then scattered to serve and reach the world. We don’t want to lose site of the mission in light of all the additional demands and decisions. A building is a tool for ministry, so let’s pray that more and more ministry would take place. Matthew 5:18 (ESV) For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.Mark 12:30–31 (ESV) And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Philippians 1:27 (ESV) Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,
I know that there are, and will be, many questions about what the process looks like from here. We are currently planning an information meeting for Sunday October 1st at 4PM so please watch for more information on that and join us if you can. We hope to share as much helpful information as we have at that point, and answer as many questions as we are able to.
I am excited to go on this journey of faith together, and I can’t wait to see all that the Lord will do.
Love,
Zach