The House Is On Fire

Resurrection Band wrote a song by this title for their Innocent Blood album and while it's both a great and simple song, sadly for our friends at our Bridgepoint Church, in southeastern Michigan, the song become a reality.

Yesterday afternoon, there was smoke on the holy ground, as multiple fire departments responded to the call... their house was on fire. Taking out the sanctuary, daycare facilities and offices among the damaged, witnesses say the sad moment of truth was when the steeple toppled through the roof.

I can't imagine.

Some parishioners have attended the church for 40 plus years.

Miracle, of miracles, no events where being held on the campus at the time of the blaze and the community has already circled around them in support. Services for the 400 member church are being held at one of the local school facilities.

Which brings us to this #effectiveSunday. It's easy to look at an organization and ministry and think of how much more could be done with more money, more space, more equipment, resources or people. And while God uses those things to advance the kingdom and His people to proclaim, the effectiveness of ministry is in the people and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Though the buildings are nice and the technology is great, it is the people coming together to worship God and hear His Word that allows for a church to be equipped to impact their community.

Thus, on this sad, yet glorious morning, pray this #effectiveSunday that the body of Christ would be quickened and strengthened as we come together to glorify God. Despite great tragedy and loss, may the words of our testimony point a lost world to the person of Christ. Though we don't have the answers may our lives point to truth; that God is sufficient for all that we have need. May today be a celebration in God's provision in the past and the promise of the future; that He has plans and purpose for our lives, of hope and a future and not of harm. Pray for the leadership and congregation of Bridgepoint; may today be a day of new beginnings in what God would desire to accomplish through this loss. May their ministry return and recovery exponentially, as it did for Job.

For it is God who works in all things;
Beyond our understanding.
According to His riches in glory,
For the advancement of the gospel of Christ.

- PNC

---