Last week we had a visit from a senior minister to share with us an idea that would allow us to own property suitable for our needs and release capital for mission and ministry.  It was an innovative idea where by we'd have a 'presence' combining an element of accommodation suitable for a minister (one with a family even) in part of a building and small rooms suitable for offices, drop in meetings etc.  Everyone thought it was great...

Last night as part of another Special Meeting, I asked them to share further thoughts and we were back to 'our first priority is a permanent worship place for us', alongside other ideas guaranteed to make a minister feel insecure.

So, why is it that when Mr Outside Minister comes along they all say "yes that's great" and when I ask them their views they "no, that's not a good idea"?  It feels as if we are doing yet another circuit of the same bit of desert and recalling Egyptian cucumbers.

If the honest desire of this group of people is to own a new worship centre, then I can help them work towards that.  My concern is that in twenty year's time there'll be another redundant building because we live with the cloud cuckoo land idea that if we have a building people will come in to it on a Sunday for worhsip as we've always done it.

Perhaps I'm a faithless pastor, but until we get mission higher on the list than buildings, I feel this fellowship is on a one way street to demise.

There, now that's honest to the point of risky!