breaking through

It is usually only in hindsight that I recognize monumental moments. Somehow it is just easier to see them retrospectively then when you are in the midst of them. This week marked an exception to that rule.

On Saturday night two long held dreams were realized. First, our general contractor lifted the church’s new skybridge into place. Two massive cranes swung the steel frame over the closed 5 lane road around 1030 Saturday night. Several hundred of our church members where there to witness the work of God become reality. It was awesome. The bridge is really just an expensive hallway, but for us it is so much more. It is the symbol of the whole campus expansion. In many ways, it is a symbol of the past and future of University United Methodist Church. Just as our founders stretched themselves to find new room to grow when they moved out to our current location, so now we are bridging the way forward once again. Seeing those workmen drive those bolts in place was the culmination of years of work, prayer, and the faithful generosity of God’s people.

The second dream took place before the bridge went up. We held our dress rehearsal – our consecration for our new Saturday night, “unite” service. Our official public launch is next week, August 25. It was a spirit filled time to be sure, but I didn’t realize how significant it was until we had completed Sunday morning services. For the last several years, the upraise services have been stuck. It is a not so invisible space barrier – we simply haven’t had room for more people. We have averaged between 800-900 people per week in worship, but always found a ceiling around 1000 people. It was a hard rule that if we ever edged above 1000 it was too crowded and we would see less and less folks until we were back to our average. People want to know that there is room for them!

Between unite and upraise, we had around 1200 people in worship this weekend. And, we now have room for even more. Ten people joined the church and two were baptized. Praise God. It may be that we have finally broken the barrier and will now set a course for exponential growth once again. Just in time too, since our new facility will be online this January and our new sanctuary will hold 1500 people per service!!!

I feel as though God is on the move. It has been a season of preparation and soul shaping. Now is a season for growth and new life. Even the weather has turned from drought to deluge. It’s as though God is using every means to communicate the outpouring of his blessing – beseeching us to commit ourselves to holiness and following where he goes.

As tired as I am from all the work this week held, I am energized by the Spirit of my God who is fulfilling his word and honoring his promises. And so we move onward with the sure and certain hope of our Lord Jesus for whose sake we labor night and day.