Excerpts from, “From the Pulpit,” By Tom Holloway – Published in the Cedar Springs Post on January 24, 2014
Community Building and Building Community—are they one and the same? They are the same words for sure. But do they mean the same thing? I hope that our answer in Cedar Springs is “Yes.” A community building is a place where a community would come together in a physical space that is common. A physical space where the needs of the community are both felt and met. In order for this to happen, or course we need to first build a sense of community.
Right now in Cedar Springs there is great enthusiasm for a “Community Building” to be put together to meet the ever-growing needs of an ever-growing community. Even now people are working hard just to find out what our community needs so that we can not only survive, but we can thrive. We have a vision for a building that will enhance the great things already taking place in Cedar Springs, and that will also take us to the next level. I’m sure that all of the details will be coming out soon to answer all of the questions that the community must have, but you can know for sure that our primary goal is not to just build a “Community Building,” but rather to “Build the Community” of Cedar Springs. I love these words spoken to the prophet Jeremiah:
Jeremiah 33:3: 3 “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’”
When a community comes together united in their goal, and united in their love for their community ahead of their own personal interests, there is no end to what God can do. We are called to be the church in our community, which means putting the needs of others ahead of our own. We as a community are called to see the needs of our current generation as well as the needs of future generations. Hang on—it’s going to be a great ride!