I'd like to tell you why.
Over 10 years ago an amazing group of people created a church like no other called Doxology in Corvallis Oregon. They met in a night club downtown and welcomed any and all who needed a place to wrestle with God. It became a shaping experience for many who invested in the mission to 'Introduce the City to a Person', Doxology was known throughout the Willamette Valley as an innovative and courageous church, willing to do things that hadn't been done before. The ministry this church was a part of was phenomenal. So much so, that when I heard they were looking to replant and rebuild their church 2 years ago I jumped at the opportunity to lead the replanting effort. Dox quickly became precious to my family and I as we poured all we had into this beautiful community.
When I sit down and try to understand and explain why Doxology closed, the easy answer is that we didn't have enough capital in the bank to sustain the planting efforts. But, it is more complex than that and I think many can sense this, so allow me to share from a passage that has been helpful for me.
John 12 describes Jesus in the last stages of his life, before offering up his life for humanity, spending some time in a home with friends. As they are reclining around the table one of the guests, Mary is overcome with the beauty of the moment seeing her once lost brother Lazarus sitting, eating and laughing with his rescuer Jesus. Driven by gratitude she runs to get her most prized possession a flask of perfume. This was not just any flask of perfume this was special perfume imported from India, costing a life savings. This perfume was precious it was likely the thing that had brought her joy in owning it, comfort in knowing its value and hope for a use worthy of its specialness. The story tells how she takes this flask and breaks it over the feet of Jesus.
The thing most precious to Mary broken and poured out to fragrance the feet of One going to His death...
Waisted?
Judas thought so... "why was this not sold for the poor?"
Mary didn't seem to think so... If you read the story she breaks the jar, pours out the perfume and the room is filled with the aroma of her love as she kneels down to rub what is most precious to her into the feet of Jesus with her hair.
Waisted?
Jesus didn't think so. “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me." (Mt. 26:10)
We like Mary tasted a bit of heaven as we saw the power of Jesus bringing new life and healing and we are so filled with gratitude for this. Doxology for myself and many others was more than a church, more than a community. If was an expression of Heaven, a thin place where heaven and earth would consistently draw near each other. And that is why I don't fully understand why God put his finger on something so precious, so valuable, so comforting and said it is right for us to pour it out on the feet of Jesus.
All I know is holding onto anything other than Jesus is ugly, even if it's a beautiful Church. So we humbly loosened our grip and offered up what was never ours.
If there is a fitting picture, it is the picture of open hands, the church was never mine, always His and I trust Him.
"The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
- Job 1:21
As a family we stand in awe of God and all that he allowed us to be a part of over the last two years. We ask that you join us in prayer as we seek to see where God may be leading us to further expand His Kingdom.
If you would like to send any financial support or letters of encouragement to bless our family in this season please mail to:
6985 NW Concord Dr.
Corvallis Oregon
97330
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