The last two Sundays have certainly been different for us. Little things that could have potential consequences caught us by surprise. For example, we now have to remember to lock the building after the morning services. We haven’t done that for more than two decades.
I’ve been making a list of things I notice that need repairs and a list of possible changes that we could make. The Korean signs is one. How can we use these in some way? Maybe we’ll change them to “Jesus Saves” and “Jesús Salva” (although the phrase in Spanish might need to include the word “Cristo,” too). The empty offices is another one of those “what do we want to do?” changes. At this point we decided not to move with haste until we have considered all the options we are aware of at this time.
Two questions in particular have been asked by several individuals. The first is “are we going to find a replacement for the Korean congregation?” The second is “what will the church do about the loss of income?” (or, “will the church be able to make it financially?”).
We remembered that twenty two years ago we weren’t looking for another congregation to share the facilities here. The very small Korean congregation approached us. After learning that there was sufficient compatibility both doctrinally and the way we carried out our ministries practically, we began a relationship. Looking back, we can see that God was instrumental in making this arrangement and guiding us to make it work. Faced now with this new prospect, we don’t want to run ahead of God. First and foremost, we want His will to be done. So, we are not now actively looking for another congregation. We’re praying that God would help us see just what He wants to accomplish through us. If another group comes along, we’ll then consider whether this is God’s will for us. But at this time we are sensing that another group may not be what God wants to do.
The leaders were “wise beyond their years” twenty-two years ago in the decisions they made regarding the use and sharing of the facilities here. They saw this place as belonging to God not one particular group. Although legally, someone or some corporation has to hold the title-deed. They recognized that no one within the leadership at that time helped purchase the land or assisted with the expenses of the construction of the buildings. However, they had contributed to continuing the proclamation of the Gospel by utilizing the tool that had already been provided. They saw our role as “stewards” that would one day give an account to God in what we did with His resources. And that in turn, everything would simply be passed on to someone else. With those values in mind, the leaders came to a couple of conclusions.
The most significant was that “we” would not receive funds from other groups that would directly benefit “us.” They believed if God could not or would not provide for “us,” then He must be leading “us” in a different way. However they also believed it was appropriate to share the common expenses (things like utilities, maintenance, insurance, taxes, or improvements). When this arrangement began, each of the three congregations contributed $500.00 a month to a fund from which these common expenses were paid. In all those years, the monthly amount had only risen to $750.00 each. Because of that decision made long ago, there is not much of a “shortfall” (if that is what you want to call it) to cover.
God provided for His church prior to the Korean congregation coming to Bell Gardens. God provided for His church while the Korean congregation was here. God has provided for His church to purchase another property and building that the Korean congregation can call their own. God will continue to provide for His church that meets in Bell Gardens, as He sees fit. We are all called to walk by faith and we each have the privilege of living by faith. Whether English, Spanish, Korean, or none of the above, hopefully our faith in Him will continue to be strengthened, tested, purified, and refined in times of (both financial and spiritual) prosperity and poverty.
Explore