My grandfather would say ‘the folly of fools is revealed in their utterance’. I would say it slightly differently, suggesting ‘small comments reveal small minds’. I guess the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree!
Here at ZION, we’re excited and apprehensive about our impending move. We’ve announced our plans to vacate and repurpose our church property on Racecourse Road to see a fresh approach to housing solutions developed. This plan is not yet approved by the Council, but we are working with many aspects of the concept to get it across the line.
What surprises me is the rumour that this somehow means ZION will be no longer, that the church is “shutting for good,” and the people who call ZION home will suddenly become homeless. Of course, this is far from true and only proves that those who speak don’t always know the truth.
Central to the core of the Christian faith is the desire for people to live and serve alongside each other as a demonstration of the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. While Jesus attended church often, (synagogue), the significant portion of his life of serving people was conducted outside of the church. Therefore, I would contend that a church is far more than a building.
church is far more than a building
Cities across the world are filled with glorious church buildings constructed with magnificent details, but largely void of life and mostly void of God’s Spirit. This proves a church building is no guarantee of God being present or God’s people being effective. As I said, church is far more than a building.
a church building is no guarantee of God being present or God’s people being effective.
Here at ZION, we have a catchphrase emblazoned on our hearts, believing “everyone needs a spiritual home.” We don’t believe for a minute that this refers to a building. A home is where family is, and family is where love is. Wherever people gather in love, a spiritual home is formed.
Wherever people gather in love, a spiritual home is formed.
Jesus reinforced this when He said, “where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” We say that church happens when a few people gather and acknowledge Jesus in their midst. Jesus also reminded us that the words that come out of people reveal their heart; “a bad tree cannot produce good fruit.”
The world is changing, and we are seeking to serve a community that has needs. We will continue to search for innovative ways to serve in love, and if that means making a sacrifice in the process, so be it. As reported previously, we are sacrificing the corner site we have occupied for over three decades in order to make a community of homes for others.
What does this mean for the future of ZION people? We are confident that our future is as secure as it needs to be. And we are definitely not worried about a roof over our heads or a sign on the corner.
I invite you to watch our journey to see the evidence of God doing amazing things. When you do, you may just have to accept that God is always faithful.
God is always faithful.