Twelve Months Ago...

The San Antonio Spurs bested the Cleveland Cavaliers to win the NBA championship. The average price for a gallon of gas in the United States fell from May’s peak of $3.11 to$3.00. Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to aim nuclear warheads at Europe for the first time since the end of the Cold War, if the United States was allowed to pursue development of a missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic. Paris Hilton was released from jail. And, oh yes, Rudy Giuliani and Hillary Clinton were pegged by pundits as the inevitable frontrunners heading into the 2008 Presidential contest. It was June, 2007. What a difference a year can make.

I have only vague memories of those headlines, though (the $3.00/gallon-at-the-pump seems especially vague just now!), because June, 2007, was also the month our congregation moved into its new home at Madison Park. It was a whirlwind, in a way, and yet, strangely, also a season of perfect calm and clarity.

The weather was perfect. The building project came together almost flawlessly (although the concrete floor finish in The Commons proved to be unsatisfactory and carpet would not arrive for a few weeks after our first Sunday). The projectors were not positioned properly in the Main Auditorium and, yes, the roof began to creak, every now and then. But, in the big picture, all of these were incidentals. The sparkling new Madison Park Church opened its doors on time on Father’s Day, 2007, and welcomed an overflow crowd for what would be an historic moment. In the life of our church. In the life of this community. In my life. And yours. Unforgettable. Blessed. Sobering. Exciting. Humbling. Exhilarating. Terrifying. And, filled with promise. All at once.

In the weeks and months that followed, we experimented, we adapted, we wondered, and we watched. We took some chances. We stubbed our toes, every now and then. We experienced some stunning successes, too. We welcomed hundreds of new friends. Sadly, we said goodbye to a few, as well.

But, in the end, we found ourselves stretched, growing, stronger, better. We found ourselves reaching out in unimagined ways to folks we never dreamed would walk through our doors. We found that the facility quickly became an anchor in Madison County’s life, as we became a community resource. Pastors’ Conferences. Civic banquets. School programs. Teaching seminars. All-day retreats for hospital staffs that provide health care for us all and strategic planning round tables for mission agencies that circumnavigate the globe. Public officials. Private agencies. Charities and no-profits. Businesses. Quilting societies. Weddings. Funerals. Anniversary celebrations. High school baccalaureates. Mark Lowry. The Everlasting Love Tour. Stephen Arterburn. They’ve all found sacred space at Madison Park. And the list goes on.

To meet the opportunities and grow with the promise, we’ve rearranged some staff assignments, brought in some new team members, and worked to develop our staff and lay teams already in place. There’s still so much to be done and so much to learn; there’s still so much to improve and so much to do better. But, as I look back over the last year, I, frankly, stand amazed. Amazed at what God has done among us. Never have so many been engaged doing so much good, in Jesus’ name, in this church’s life. Never has our impact for the Gospel been greater. Never have we seen more baptisms.

Heard more testimonies of God’s goodness. Seen so many lives transformed. And the list goes on.

Celebrate with us this Sunday (June 15), Father’s Day, 2008. Help us mark one year at Madison Park. It will be another historic moment. We’ll have three services: 9:00am and 10:45am in the Main Auditorium and Current (our new contemporary service with an edge) in the Crossroads Auditorium at 10:45am, as well.

Great transitions have taken place over the past 12 months, but some things never change: God’s love for us and this church’s commitment to Him. God’s promise to lead us and our willingness to follow Him. Our providential opportunity to be salt and light for Madison County. This church’s faith to take a chance-to risk and to dare for Heaven’s sake.

My love for you, this most precious and amazing church family. These have not changed. Thank you, Madison Park. What an honor it has been to walk with you always, but never more than during this last sea-change of a year. Be encouraged. Praise God. Celebrate with us, June 15.