This article was originally published in June ’10.
Stand Your Ground!
by Pastor George Pearsons
Pastors often face the challenge of needing a new sanctuary when their facility becomes too small. We faced this situation as our congregation increased. We simply ran out of space. The decision was made—it was time to build!
I had no idea, however, what kind of a learning experience lay ahead. I did not realize to what degree I had to learn how to stand my ground.
I discovered that standing is not always easy—especially when building a debt-free church. The “easy road” would be to borrow the money. “Get a loan and get it done,” they say. But as you know, Kenneth Copeland Ministries does not borrow. Everything at KCM is debt free—including our sanctuary. Praise God!
Construction of our sanctuary began with a bang. We celebrated. We broke ground. Offerings were received. But, as time passed, the cost of construction increased. The process got complicated. The pressure began to mount.
At one point during construction, I had to get away. My family and I were on vacation when the phone rang. Someone from our construction team was calling. “Pastor George, the price just went up $1 million.”
“It did what?”
The next day they called again. “It’s gone up another million.”
“Did I hear you correctly?”
Third day: “Another million.”
I said, “I’m coming home.”
I had to cut short our vacation in order to return home and keep the price from escalating any further.
I discovered something very interesting. The finances were not the problem. The real problem was that I got under pressure. I let down on my faith and began to waver. That eventually opened the door for the devil to step in and bring confusion.
My faith was up and down and all around throughout the project. There were too many sleepless nights and stress-filled days. We eventually finished the building, but not without a fight. After a time of deep reflection, I realized what I should have done: I should have cast the care, entered God’s rest and stayed in faith. I should have stood my ground!
Stand Firmly in Your Place
In Ephesians 6:10-11, "Amplified Bible, Classic Edition," Paul talks about standing. “Be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.” We can stand against the devil. It is possible. We can stand against fear, lack and sickness. We can even stand against an overwhelming building project—and succeed!
BVOV : 9
