Anticipating the Benefits

I have set aside July 20-24 and August 17-21 to meet with those of you who may be called to the Sunnyside downtown site. Before I go on vacation (Monday) I’d like to fill August 17-21 with appointments. Please email kronberg@sympatico.ca if you are interested. During those conversations, I will update you about the site, hear your thoughts and questions, find out where your gifts and interests lie and pray with you for wisdom and direction.

It has been a joy to meet with several of you this week. “This is exciting!” is the phrase I have heard most. I think so too. At present, 11 have confirmed they will go downtown, 8 are very interested, and 15 are wondering.

It is not too early for you to make your intentions known. The first launch team meeting of 60-80 people is scheduled for Sunday, September 27 at 12:45pm. The downtown congregation will start to form that day. I haven’t heard from a lot of families. Keep in mind, as you discern your ‘place’, there will be children’s Sunday School and nursery at the downtown site.

It’s time to pull out the stops a bit and celebrate the benefits of establishing a Sunnyside congregation downtown! (These benefits are relevant to Sunnyside Grosvenor too.)

Relational Benefits – When a medium-size group of people comes together in Christian unity with a common vision and mission in mind, spiritual friendships grow.

Faith Benefits – Obediently moving forward when much is unknown has a way of forcing reliance on the Lord. Faith grows as we take risks and experience God’s faithfulness.

Unexpected Surprises – God shows up in the most unlikely places. You think you are making a big sacrifice and you find unusual joy.

Enlarged Heart – There’s nothing like prayer-walks and intentional relationship in a yet-to-be-determined place downtown to expand your heart’s capacity to love people that you hadn’t considered before.

Opportunity to Serve – An initiative like this requires all hands to be on deck! Every kind of spiritual gift is needed and there is no such thing as being redundant. It’s a forum in which you can practise living in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Kingdom of God Expansion – We can expect as we, by faith, move into a neighbourhood and love as the body of Christ is meant to love, the kingdom of God will come (on earth, even as it is in heaven). People will become followers of Jesus. Ongoing transformation will happen.

I believe the benefits will outweigh the costs! I’d be interested in hearing what benefits or costs you identify. Please feel free to contact me for further conversation kronberg@sympatico.ca.