Mark Jones – In His Dust

Another book that I’m in the middle of reading as part of my internship is Courageous leadership by Bill Hybels. I’ve just about finished reading a chapter called ‘The resource challenge’ which talks about the challenge of funding, resources, etc… and how without proper resources… the local church can and does starve to death.

Again, I find myself thinking about the current situation with Re:Hope (see previous blogs).

Bill Hybels talks about his vision of an ‘Acts 2′ church, and facing the harsh reality (when first starting out with Willow Creek) of ‘trying’ to fund one.

In Psalm 50:12 God Himself hits this theme when he says “the world is mine, and all that is in it”. In a nutshell, God’s resources are unlimited.

I think (this isn’t the case with Re:Hope, but I’ve certainly been there with my own personal financial support) that we can rely too much on people… when in fact, “God alone controls the flow of the financial river we (I) need.”

He hits it right on the head when talking about people giving, not as the suppliers, but the ‘conduits’ through which God supplies.

God is not just able to help, He’s eager to help. Especially with regards to the local church – His bride. No one wants to see the church appropriately resourced more than God does.

Re:hope is in the thick of it. The owners of our building want to sell it, and scoff at what we offer. We don’t have the ‘finances’. BUT… God is still the ultimate supplier, the God who I firmly believe will finish what He CLEARLY begun. We just have to keep on moving forward in faith.

“The ultimate supplier for the resources (and buildings/finances) we need is the God who wants to see HIS church built even more than we do. And He has plenty.”