We Made It

After nearly two-and-a-half years, Salem gathered for our first worship services on November 21 in our own, new location. God is good! Considering it was new for all of us, our first Sunday went very well. We had about 215 people in the two services. A week later, on November 28, we had 249 for our Grand Opening celebration. Following the ancient tradition, we consecrated the church building for the proclamation of the Word and the celebration of Holy Communion.

At the beginning of this year, the big question for Salem was: Where would we land as a congregation? Like the Israelites who wandered in the wilderness for forty years before entering the Promised Land, it felt like Salem did not have a home. The flood in 2008 forced Salem on a journey.

Now we have taken our first steps in a new place. In many ways it feels like we need a moment to take a breath and relax a bit. It is good to celebrate and thank God for the ways in which God has taken care of us.

While we celebrate, it is good to remember our new building is not just a place for us to gather. It is a base of operations for our mission. I like how the Department of Defense uses the term infrastructure to refer to all buildings and permanent installations necessary for the support of military forces when they are deployed in operations (barracks, headquarters, airfields, communications, military equipment, etc.). Likewise, the church needs buildings or other installations to support the body of Christ as we are deployed in our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. 

So congratulations, Salem. We made it! I hope we will be encouraged now that we have finally landed. I hope we can take a breath and relax a bit. I hope we will celebrate all the goodness of God. I hope we will participate in God’s mission to bring Salem (shalom, peace, wholeness) to the world, especially to the neighborhoods surrounding our new home.

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