Mark, a minister in his late thirties, sits hunched over a notebook, scribbling ideas and prayers. His eyes are pensive, reflecting both hope and exhaustion. He glances at a map of the city, circles drawn and crossed out—evidence of his search for the perfect church location.
Mark walks between the pews, hands clasped, whispering, "God, where do you want your people to gather? Why can’t I find a place to start this church? What am I missing?" He pauses at the altar, overwhelmed by longing and frustration. The weight of tradition presses in, and he wonders if he’s chasing a dream or simply an idea handed down.
A sudden clarity washes over him, not a voice but an unmistakable impression in his spirit: "Why do you need a building?" Mark’s breath catches. He sits motionless, the question reverberating within, shattering his assumptions. He recalls childhood Sundays, the importance placed on buildings, and feels the foundations of his faith shift.
Angela[/@ch_2], a fellow minister, whose eyes are bright with curiosity. The aroma of espresso fills the air.]
"Angela, what if we’ve made church more about a place than a people? What if we’re missing the point entirely?"
"You mean, church isn’t just a Sunday event?"
"Exactly. The more I pray, the more I feel God calling us to be the church, not just attend it. Maybe the veil was torn not just for access, but to break us out of our routines." Their conversation stirs something deep, inviting more questions than answers.
Mark ponders the rituals and routines of church, the times he’s seen people seek God but felt something missing. He recalls counseling sessions, generic prayers, and wonders if God desires more—a living, breathing church carried within hearts, not confined to structures. "Lord, if you’re calling us to something new, give us courage to follow," he prays silently.
He realizes church isn’t an obligation, but a calling to live out faith every day. The next steps are uncertain, but his heart is open to change. "Maybe Sunday’s church is over, but something greater is beginning," Mark muses, a quiet joy rising within him as he walks forward, ready to be the church wherever he goes.
