Next Sunday, December 13, 2015, is the last Lord’s Day our congregation
will be meeting on this campus. Community Christian Church moved onto this
property on November 18, 1973. The church began meeting in Building A (our
current worship center) in January 1977. Community Christian Church met and ministered
here a long time. But much has changed. The vast majority of those worshipping
with us today were not part of the church two years ago. In the last 27 months
our congregation has gone through extraordinary transition, including
significant changes in our doctrinal and ministerial focus, strategy, and
leadership. We experienced great division; many long-time and part-time members
left, while many new believers have come and made this church their home. Our
new name is quite fitting since we truly have gone through a period of reformation catalyzed by the teaching of
the Bible.
It is appropriate for there to be mixed feelings about leaving this
campus. There always are in situations like this. We are excited about the
future but somewhat anxious. None of us had any idea what God had in store for
us two years ago, and none of us know for sure what lies ahead. This church has
seen good times and bad times in forty-two years on this property. Long-time
members will take away good memories, and all of us should look forward to the
open doors for ministry that lie ahead.
Transitions are always a little scary. Even Israel second-guessed the
exodus and wished they were still slaves in Egypt. How silly we are as human
beings, preferring the misery of the familiar for the blessing of the future.
It is okay to be a little scared or uncertain about what lies ahead. But let’s
not allow the Adversary to rob us of our joy and convince us the best years are
behind us. That is never the case for a Christian.
This is a time to be thankful. We should be thankful for past blessings.
We should be thankful for God’s faithfulness in the last two years. We should
be thankful for the provision He has made for our future, not only temporally
as a congregation on earth, but eternally as part of the Body of Christ. There
may be some tears; there may be some heaviness in our hearts, but there should
also be hope as we look ahead. All things in this life change, but we trust One
who never changes. He holds our future in His hands. –JME
