What practical steps can we take to support church maintenance and growth? Building on Josiah’s Blueprint “Let them deliver it into the hand of the workmen appointed to the LORD’s temple, so they can pay the workers repairing the damages to the temple.” (2 Kings 22:5) Josiah literally handed over resources to skilled people who could get the job done. Because this historical account is fully reliable, the pattern still guides us. Practical Ways to Keep the Lights On and the Body Growing • Regular, planned giving – 1 Corinthians 16:2: “On the first day of every week, each of you should set aside a portion of his income…” – Treat giving as a first-fruit priority, not loose change after the bills are paid. • Designated maintenance funds – Just as in Josiah’s day, earmark a portion specifically for facilities, technology, and future repairs. • Skilled volunteers alongside paid professionals – Exodus 35:30-35 shows God gifting people like Bezalel with craftsmanship. Identify electricians, painters, plumbers, IT techs, and landscapers in the congregation; schedule workdays; supply materials. • Transparent oversight – 2 Kings 22:7 highlights trustworthy managers: “No accounting shall be required… because they deal honestly.” Keep open books, publish quarterly reports, and rotate counting teams to maintain integrity. • Adopt-a-space projects – Families or small groups “own” classrooms, flowerbeds, or fellowship-hall kitchens, inspecting and refreshing them throughout the year. • Proactive preventive care – Proverbs 24:27: “Prepare your work outside… afterward build your house.” Regular HVAC servicing, roof inspections, and software updates cost less than emergency overhauls. Guarding Integrity and Accountability • Acts 6:3: appoint “men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom” over practical matters. • Use written job scopes and timelines so workers know expectations and the church knows progress. • Rotate trustees or deacons overseeing bids and contracts; three quotes minimum for major projects. Fueling Spiritual Growth Alongside Physical Upkeep • Ephesians 4:11-12—equip the saints “for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” Maintenance without discipleship is paint on hollow walls. • Consistent Bible teaching (Acts 2:42), prayer meetings, and small-group fellowship ensure the congregation grows as the building stands. • Outreach events use a well-kept facility as a welcoming platform (Matthew 5:16: “so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven”). Putting It All Together 1. Prioritize regular, cheerful giving. 2. Allocate a clear maintenance budget. 3. Mobilize every member’s skills. 4. Maintain transparent oversight. 5. Blend practical care with ongoing discipleship and evangelism. Follow Josiah’s example: place the resources in trustworthy hands, empower skilled labor, and watch both the building and the body thrive. |
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