By Charles Honey, Faith and Leadership.
Eight years ago, a Grand Rapids congregation left its stately but deteriorating church for a plain, empty building in a tough part of town. Today, the risk has paid off with a smaller but committed congregation heavily involved in neighborhood ministry.
Dennis Johnson readily admits it: one of the reasons he and his wife, Donna, joined Bethlehem Lutheran Church 30 years ago was the building. He loved its neo-Gothic architecture, its handsome woodwork and its majestic organ.
“It was my image of what a good Lutheran church should look like,” Johnson said of the stately structure in the historic Heritage Hill district of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
His image of a good church, however, turned out to be far from where this now 142-year-old congregation decided it needed to go. Today, Bethlehem’s new home looks nothing at all like a traditional church.
It is a nondescript former post office maintenance garage, set in the city’s gritty Heartside neighborhood of soup kitchens and lost souls. Johnson used to drive his children through Heartside to see how “the other half” lived. He never imagined he’d end up worshipping there, in a building right next to a homeless shelter.
But when Bethlehem’s members decided in 2007 to sell their old building and buy this one, Johnson voted yes. And though at first he had his doubts about the new building — which does not have a pipe organ, merely a piano — today he is sure it was the right move.
“As you read the Bible and hear the lessons, what Christ was like was pretty simple and straightforward about loving people,” said Johnson, a former president of Bethlehem Lutheran’s church council. “I feel like we’re getting closer to that than we were before.”
18 Comments. Leave new
A must read for any Church going through a stay or leave discenment process. Proof that God takes care of the faithful.
I hope the louisville sluggers read this article, and realize that money and buildings are not everything.
Reading the full article it becomes evident that this is an ELCA congregation concerned about their social justice ministry. ELCA is much like PCUSA with no real standards any more regarding sexuality and authority of scripture. I read this article as being about liberal guilt among a group of self-professed white hipsters, driving them to relocate. While this relocation is not a bad thing, in and of itself, I doubt the Gospel is being preached faithfully by these folks. Social justice without the power of the Gospel preached truly and faithfully leaves them as just another social welfare organization.
He used to be a good musician friend of ours but, he has turned into a pretty bad ass Director so, hopefully we can work with him on that.
Christian Louboutin Wedding Casual [url=http://www.dormasan.com/Waitresses/en/gaogenxie-2/wtkqrllh-p-810.html]Christian Louboutin Wedding Casual[/url]
2 years ago (1 child)sorry, this has been archived and can no longer be voted onWhy is Graph Search still in opt only beta.
Giuseppe Zanotti Antibacterial RDS314 005 [url=http://www.dormaclean.com/Waitresses/en/gaogenxie-3/pklbhqxl-p-597.html]Giuseppe Zanotti Antibacterial RDS314 005[/url]
Florida is an important state in presidential politics.
Jimmy Choo Vibram Croc Leather [url=http://www.aficfp.com/Waitresses/en/gaogenxie-4/ivfqnvaz-p-291.html]Jimmy Choo Vibram Croc Leather[/url]
Contact Us Steam Store Archive Privacy Statement Terms of Service Top Powered by vBulletin®.
Jimmy Choo Caged Victoria Beckham [url=http://www.eskortatakoy.com/Waitresses/en/gaogenxie-5/rlzynfcr-p-472.html]Jimmy Choo Caged Victoria Beckham[/url]
Braun requested the hearing after a reported positive test for a banned substance at the start of the postseason.
Giuseppe Zanotti Gift RDM303 001 [url=http://www.axelrein.com/Waitresses/en/gaogenxie-5/lzamthjr-p-344.html]Giuseppe Zanotti Gift RDM303 001[/url]
I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses.
Jimmy Choo Talva Shimmer Pure [url=http://www.cloudcomtech.com/Waitresses/en/gaogenxie-4/avcmkkil-p-038.html]Jimmy Choo Talva Shimmer Pure[/url]
long year acer trends show only 001 more acelenolysunci topics now pr18 in 2012 new here By Unbekannt on 21.
Bogner White Pink Blue Red Waterproof
and (Just A) Couple of Kicks adds pills, dancing, and promiscuity to the party.
Duvetica Yellow Wearable
When you purchase an item from us on eBay we will use information provided by you to eBay or PayPal to complete your order.
Duvetica Dark Red Anti-static
Balding is usually brought on by unique, inherited genes increasingly being to correct.
Wellensteyn Ecofriendly Schneezauber
The NYOS® Twister Extreme air performance and the finest bubbles are one thing.
Belstaff KYLE Soft
000000 CMYK Cyan CMYK PROCESS 100.
Canada Goose Breathable
Es ist dir nicht erlaubt, auf Beiträge zu antworten.
Moncler Acorus Leisure
But it isn’t long before those plans are quickly derailed.
Wellensteyn Sport Zalida
sn order nolvadex uk b6p3bdk9, Benniehex Kommentar hinzugefü.
Woolrich Brown Anti-static