Envisioning healthy congregations
engaged in effective

Christian Ministry
locally AND globally.

Dan Edwards is the pastor of Roodhouse First Baptist Church. He was called to this pastorate after serving many years as senior pastor of Mt. Sterling Baptist Church then the Emmanuel Baptist Church of Quincy. Dan was also one of the New Life 2010 team that represented the GRR in Milwaukee.

In the following article Dan shares how discerning need and priorities are God's way of showing us God's vision for ministry and mission. Dan connects this with observations of how "Sharpening Our Tools" - one of 5 GRR Goals - needs to be done in more than a piecemeal manner but in the context of God's vision for our churches.

What Should our Priorities Be?

In May 1997, I arrived at the church as their new pastor. I had been told that they had a dream of a new fellowship hall and kitchen. They had even had plans drawn up several years before. At that time the cost was over $300,000 which had overwhelmed, even scared, them --- especially since the church was down in the 40s in worship attendance.

I began to focus on ministry of the people and to the people. As is always the case, as you love them, they see your genuine compassion - not only for them, but also for the community. They see your devotion and heart for Christ. The church moved forward in love and in growth. We went from the 40s in worship in 1997 to 100 plus in early 1999.

The church comfortably seated about 70, in theater style seating. We had a very small basement that was our fellowship hall, Sunday School, and AWANA game floor. There was also a small upstairs above half of the sanctuary that contained three more small S.S. rooms. We were out of worship space, Sunday School space, and fellowship room. Many stated, “We need to build that fellowship hall.” It would have been a separate building with no connection to the church. We would have to go outside to enter the new building. But, having this new building would not have solved a pressing problem of worship space.

We began a building campaign to reach $100,000. When that goal was reached we would begin to build.

Early in the campaign I began to share some new thoughts with key leaders. I asked, “What if we built a new worship area?” Of course, some felt that we needed a bigger kitchen and fellowship hall. I suggested that we put in those things, as well. But, we needed to re-think from a different perspective.

It was very evident that worship was outgrowing the space. We were filling up the aisles, the stairway, and on Christmas Eve and Easter, some were standing along the walls and back of the church. Something had to be done!

The vision I felt God giving us was one that would meet the most need: build a new worship space beside the existing building. It would not need to be as big as the “gym-sized” fellowship hall. Then, we could redo the existing church into a new fellowship hall and kitchen. And, downstairs there could be more Sunday School space. We would not attach the two buildings except to have a double door walk way that is only 30” from building to building. That way, if the old building got too far in need of repairs it could be torn down without effecting the new building. The church embraced the new vision as key leaders understood the mindset change and got behind the new vision.

We quickly reached the goal and the new facility was completed in April of 2000 at a total cost of about $275,000. The new kitchen was completed that summer by our own church family. And, another phase could easily be adapted now for an attached gym-sized fellowship hall, if need be.

It is easy to see how mindsets can be formed and how sometimes a new perspective can be hard to see when a previous mindset is in place. However, it can be overcome. If asked! I think many would say it was their idea to change to a worship facility - which only says they embraced the new vision. Which is great! Yet, all glory goes to God and His goodness.

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