The Alaska Missionary Conference

The Passion: Opportunities for Discipleship

Pastor's Ponderings

It lacks the drama of the tumblin’ down of the walls of Jericho or the fall of the Iron Curtain, but last week the back wall of Christ First sanctuary came tumblin’ down. Soon an arctic entryway will be ready to receive Ye cold, wet, and winter weary. Soon new carpet will be installed, chairs ordered, and the chancel redesigned for flexibility. This new construct will seat 175 worshippers. Our trustees are empowered to bring this temporary remodel of our facility into reality. We are grateful for their leadership. Thousands of dollars have poured in for the purchase of chairs. We are grateful for the generosity and vision of our members and friends. Yet, we must keep in mind, this remodel is not intended to be permanent . Soon we will begin looking at our next phase of expanding effective ministry to the community. This probably will include construction of a new building designed to engage the Wasilla culture with new possibilities for community life, worship, and mission.

Our current building is a means to the end of being the church of Jesus Christ in Wasilla; it is not an end in itself. Sacred space is where the human soul meets with its Divine Friend and Maker and finds healing and hope in the encounter. Sacred space is where persons face each other and say “Hallelujah, its true! Christ is indeed present in the gathering of two or three.” A church building facilitates these halleluiah moments. As pastors, we uphold this notion of sacred space. Within this visible structure of wood, sheet rock, and furnishings, covered with paint, stain, and cloth, it is us, the body of Christ gathered, who live as sacred space. A verse from a 9th Century hymn says, “Where charity and love prevail, there God is ever found; brought here together by Christ’s love, by love are we thus bound.” A more succinct and poetic description of sacred space than any of my rambling thoughts could pen.

In the midst of our growth, pray for awareness of the light of Christ within each person. New people do come to our church to find God, hope, healing, and community. But they never come empty. They come bearing the image of God, they come most often not knowing the gift they bring, but they walk through our doors and we meet Christ as if for the first time. They are not the lost. They are like us: those being saved. We are healed together, not alone. Never alone. The Bible would have to be totally rewritten if it was all about private salvation. Sacred space is the gathering of two or three in Christ’s name. A church building is to serve the church gathered. The love of God and neighbor form the foundation, walls, and sheltering roof of any church found worthy of Jesus’ name.

Yes, a wall came a tumblin’ down, and out of the dust rises up our church. Halleluiah!

Pastor Robert

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