I found this letter to the peoples of ECPC (written back in 2020). East Calvary Baptist Church had just given ECPC the 10101 property…

Let’s talk about this “new” building. At some point the Covid-19 saga will come to an end and we will resume our regular gatherings. The best thing about ECPC is that y’all are affectionately desirous of one another, and you’re ready to share not only the gospel of God, but also your own selves, because your siblings in Christ have become very dear to you (1 Thessalonians 2:8). One of the most hazardous things about “owning a building” is the danger of forfeiting familial fellowship in favor of preoccupation with property.

Don’t get me wrong, we are certainly entering a joyful season of property stewardship; filled with work days, renovation projects, and routine maintenance. And all of you are invited to roll up your sleeves and participate in the rigorous work of beautifying and servicing 10101 Robinson Church Road with the utmost excellence and enjoyment! Just like Chip & Jojo! Be inspired and get excited!

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6K_3_DPpfA&feature=youtu.be).

But as we gear-up and get-going on the beautification this property let’s never lose sight of what we do best …Feasting on the Word of God, and enjoying familial fellowship as we experience life together. Let’s commit to enjoying God and one another more than ever as we transition to a new meeting location, and labor together to transform 10101 RCR into a place of human dignity and holistic hospitality. Let’s recognize that the building is not “the church,” the church is a body of people (the bride of Jesus) not bricks and mortar. And as the body and bride of Christ, we now have the responsibility and pleasure of stewarding this property for whatever true, good, and beautiful endeavors God positions us to participate with. Certainly ECPC will utilize the property for Sunday worship gatherings, but we must also be shrewd and intentional about making the space available to the CLT Eagles, AA groups, HOA meetings, ESL classes, Young Life, and other organizations doing good work to help ‘the least of these’ in the East CLT area! Furthermore, we must do all we can to retain the robust ethos of life together in each other’s homes, which ECPC has richly experienced these past 6 years! Let’s dream and be diligent about continuing to cultivate the experience of being together and having all things in common (both in our private residences and at this “new” property).   

As good as it is for us to begin preparing for the work that awaits us at 10101 Robinson Church Rd., we must presently set our sights on the opportunities available to us this month. As my friend Isaiah recently reminded me, the primary goal of our lives is to know God. God will settle for nothing less than a real, robust, relationship with us. And full fellowship with God is experienced through wholeheartedly accepting and enjoying 4 primary gifts:

[1] Imaginatively inhabiting the stories of God.

[2] Psalm-esque dialogue with God.

[3] Life together with fellow Jesus addicts. [Acts 2:42-47; 1 Thessalonians 2:8, 19-20; Hebrews 10:24-25]

[4] Encountering Jesus disguised as the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, and the imprisoned. [Matthew 25:35-40; Isaiah 58:6-12]

So for the month of May 2020 here are some tips:

1. Allow yourself 1 hour of Netflix per/day, and then turn off the television and engross yourself in the Bible for an hour. Write out your questions and reflections in a journal, or call a friend and ask them what they think about the passage you read; or write a letter to someone sharing some of what you received from God’s Word.

2. Commit to actually talking to God three times per/week (30 minutes each), and then show up and really do it. Tell God how you’re feeling. Be blunt, straightforward, and expressive. Write letters addressed to God, or pray out loud, or take a walk while you talk to God.

3. Call 2 people from ECPC per/week, just to ask how they’re doing. Attend 4 Life Group Zoom meetings in the month of May. Attend 4 ECPC Sunday school classes on Microsoft Team Meetings in the month of May. Identify one person at ECPC you have lingering relational tension with, then call them and have an honest conversation, and clear the air if you can.

4. Identify 1 hungry person, 1 thirsty person, 1 stranger, 1 person in need of better clothing, 1 sick person, and 1 person who is imprisoned or invalid …and then do 1 thing to serve each of them.

Peace be to you, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.