It’s not every Tuesday evening at the start of Autumn that a local church passes what some would describe as two monumental proposals… 1) new double glazed windows in the Old Church Hall, and 2) a complete new sound system in the sanctuary. Add on to that permission to install three new signs to show people exactly where we are and you will see just what a busy night it was.
The first, way overdue, was a plan to replace the very first windows that were introduced to Moortown way back in 1955. When we first opened what we call now the creche room (formally to those of over say 50 the Old Church Hall) was pretty much all we had. In fact that was where we held our Sunday Services. The second was a new all singing, all dancing sound system and control box which we are told can be controlled by an i.pad and will replace the one that has been up and running for more years than most of us can remember. The third, something that in more normal times would have had us all discussing design and layout etc. is simply this… three signs to show people who we are and what we stand for.
But why I hear some of you cry? Why spend all this money when we could give it away to people in greater need?
Well, we reckon that for a church delivering at least 52 Sunday services a year, plus toddlers, plus Beacon, plus Lunch Club, plus bible study and prayer groups, numerous funerals and “live” performances, plus craft groups etc. etc. it’s our duty to deliver not only God’s word but his compassion in the clearest way we can.
Strangely enough, although I’m sure the cynic would assume it’s coincidence these decisions were taken just five days before we begin our new theme and that’s about Ezra and Nehemiah and how God used these two visionaries and rulers to rebuild Jerusalam.
Following a brilliant presentaton from Nathan Dring and Andy Berry the “upgrade to the tech system” passed it’s test with flying colours even if Andy did have to explain “in ear monitors” and the reason for a “screened off drummer” in a bit more detail than Nathan spent unpacking some of the much more simple points.
Add on to all this MBC’s Warm Space agenda and sudden uptake in the Lord’s Pantry and our new contract with 3mobile and you will see pretty soon how and why we believe God is taking us down a particular path and that is outwards and much more into our community.
For the more reserved among us there’s no need to concern yourself about our reserves – these decisions were only taken following a thorough examination of all our finances.
As for the third proposal, the three signs, they do what it says on the tin… they simple signpost people to where we are.