We are architecturally stagnated.
Here I have a confession to make: After our fourth major building program at Westside (2002), I said, “No more building.” Last November the Lord showed me that my refusal to consider building had limited our influence and expansion.
For the last five years, I have been receiving prophetic words from visiting Christian leaders who have told me we are architecturally and spiritually capped, stagnated by a refusal to add space for new arrivers. (It’s easy for us to forget that growth isn’t about us. We don’t grow for ourselves alone, we grow for others.)
I resisted the whole idea, but … thank God for his patience with me. Finally, nine months ago, bolstered by Westside leaders who encouraged me to face this giant in faith, I agreed to lead our church into the Growing Better expansion adventure! The pressure on me and the change in me in the last nine months has been grueling and glorious at the same time. I’ve been living in the ‘water-walking’ zone where “I’m through if God doesn’t come through.” My flesh hates it, but it is good for my spirit. Will you follow my lead? Will you get out of the boat?
Somewhere between caterpillar and butterfly,
