Consultant's Pessimism

Back in 1994, I was called to Sea Point Evangelical Congregational Church. The Church was in dire straits. We called in a professional consultant. He looked over our books. He looked over our buildings. He jotted everything down on a large notepad. I remember little of what he said now. However, I do remember this. We walked into the Church garden together, looking out to the Main Road – he with his large notepad in his hands. His final words to me were, “Sell the Church and distribute the proceeds.” I didn't agree at all. God had a great future for this Church. God could do anything with any Church. In fact, some 20 years later, the Church was thriving, and in my last year, we had the strongest income in generations. OBSERVATION: The consultant and I stood in the garden in the photo on the left.