Are we there yet?

Almost 10 years ago Becky and I decided that we needed to move to a bigger home. When I say we decided you know that means I agreed after it was decided. Anyway, we were blessed to find a great house that was in bankruptcy and purchased it at a price that the German loved. Little did I know that purchasing an older house also meant a lot of repairs. It began with the first leak of a pipe. That led to me learning about plumbing and eventually replacing every piece of "blue poly" pipe and re plumbing my entire house. In the course of that with numerous leaks the flooring was ruined and had to be repaired and then carpet replaced. In the beginning I hated the experience but there was the expectation that one day it would be done. Here I am a decade later and the house is significantly different but "being done" may not be a reality.

Community Christian has been somewhat like that for me. I can remember when we started the goal was pretty simple - create an environment where people who didn't have a relationship with Christ or His church could come and be connected. Here we are 16 years later and now more than half the people who are part of our community didn't go to church before they came. I had the thought at some point that once we had that DNA in place then we could relax. That maybe when we built a facility and had some staff we could relax.

This Sunday many of us who consider Community Christian "our church"will be making three year commitments to give what we can to reach the 60,000 unchurched people that are right in our front door. Last week I announced that 40 leadership families had committed more than $750,000 to lead the way in this effort. I am really moved by their commitment. 3/4 of a million dollars above and beyond what they already give to support what God is doing through Community Christian. I was moved again this week when some committed followers of Christ who aren't a part of Community Christian made commitments to the Chapter 2 effort. Some of you may be wondering why people who are already leading and giving their time are now committed to giving above their normal level to this effort. I can only say that the ones who have talked to me personally have said it's because they realize we aren't done - we're not there yet - the 60,000 have made it clear.

I've come to realize that like I may never "be done" with my house, Community Christian may never finally arrive and relax. We aren't there yet just because we've developed a place where unconnected people can find their way home. We aren't there yet because we have a great staff and we have great services and great community. We aren't there yet when more and more people are turning away from Christ and His church. God has given us the chance - at the right time, the right place, with the right people to make a difference in Coweta County. Yes it requires us to commit and sacrifice and continue to work. But we are on this adventure with God to reach unconnected people and together grow to full devotion. So until Jesus returns and tells us to stop - we aren't there yet.