The Blessings and Challenges of a New Church Building?

October 2017 is a big month for Hope Lutheran Church in Farmington, Minnesota. Not only are we and our Synod celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation, but in October, we at Hope are also celebrating our ten-year ministry anniversary as well as our one-year anniversary in our new building.
The Lord blessed us with a building after nine years of hard work in the Farmington community. Now that we have been in the building for a year, we are able to see a little clearer what kind of blessings we have with a new church building and, at the same time, see how the Lord tests us with challenges.
The biggest practical blessing we have received by having a new church building is enjoying an established presence in Farmington for the first time. When Hope began, we started in a school cafeteria and then moved to a storefront space in a mini-mall. Both were not very visible to the community, which posed challenges. But with a new building, built in a visible location, we are easily seen by the community and give the feeling of something that will be part of the community for a long time.
With the new building come new opportunities for the members. Not only is this an opportunity for members to use their God-given talents toward church upkeep and decorating, but we also enjoy the convenience of having everything under one roof. This means people won’t need to devote time to setting up and tearing down spaces for temporary worship, but instead use their time toward furthering Hope’s mission.
Perhaps the most important blessing we have received overall is a spiritual blessing. As anyone can imagine, with a brand-new building comes huge debt. We view this, though, as a blessing in that it is a new and great opportunity to trust in God and work hard knowing that He will provide. Countless times in Scripture, we have seen God do the humanly impossible with ease. Having a debt that initially looks insurmountable is a new way to trust in Him as He provides through offerings and the Synod’s gracious help.
But with those blessings come some real challenges. The biggest, and perhaps most spiritually lethal, challenge is the temptation to think that “we have made it” and that some finish line has been crossed. It is a challenge at times to keep focused and realize that moving to a new church was not a graduation ceremony where we can now relax. Instead, the building sets new goals and opportunities that beg our attention. Volunteers are needed now more than before. Focusing on keeping to budgets is more important than ever.
But in the end, we have so much for which to be thankful. Our Lord is a constant provider who has been with His children, showering grace from the moment Adam and Eve fell into sin. Since then, our God of constant blessings has blessed us through the Reformation, through anniversaries, through new ministries, and continues to do His will when He blesses congregations with new buildings.
Reverend Daniel Oberer
Contributing Writer
Hope Lutheran Church
Farmington, MN