1 Chronicles 28
The Sagrada Familia is a large church building located in the city of Barcelona, Spain. Construction began on the 19th of March, 1882, 135 years ago. After the original architect resigned from the project, a young man named Antoni Gaudi took over. His engineering style transformed the project combining Gothic and New Art styles.
But construction went slowly. In fact, people started talking about the length of the construction period. When someone asked Gaudi about this he is said to have remarked, “My client, meaning God, is not in a hurry.” By the time of Gaudi’s death in 1926, the basilica was between 15 and 25 per cent complete.
Yet work continued until the 1936 Spanish Civil War. During that time parts of the basilica and Gaudi’s notes were destroyed. The project remained inactive until sometime in the 1950’s. Construction reached the mid point in 2010 with some of its greatest challenges remaining.
Yet the work has progressed. The current Chief Architect, Jordi Fauli, announced in October 2015 that the project is 70 per cent done. The goal is to complete construction of the church’s structure by 2026 on the 100th anniversary of Gaudi’s death. The project currently receives no government or church funding. It is solely funded by admission fees to visitors which bring in around 25 million euros each year.
Yet work continued until the 1936 Spanish Civil War. During that time parts of the basilica and Gaudi’s notes were destroyed. The project remained inactive until sometime in the 1950’s. Construction reached the mid point in 2010 with some of its greatest challenges remaining.
Yet the work has progressed. The current Chief Architect, Jordi Fauli, announced in October 2015 that the project is 70 per cent done. The goal is to complete construction of the church’s structure by 2026 on the 100th anniversary of Gaudi’s death. The project currently receives no government or church funding. It is solely funded by admission fees to visitors which bring in around 25 million euros each year.
If it is finished in 2026, it would have taken 144 years to build. Now would we accept that timeline in our day and in our part of the world? No. We would think it completely inefficient and ineffective. After all the church sanctuary you sit in took just around a year to construct. If we had to wait 144 years to complete it, I think we might get somewhat frustrated.
Yet, in a way, we are in the middle of a building project just like the Sagrada Familia. We’re no longer part of a physical building project. But we are part of God’s spiritual building project called Sturgeon Valley Baptist Church that started nearly 41 years ago and will continue as long as God serves as chief architect. The question we face today is “what role is God calling each of us to play in the next phase of His building project here at SVBC?”
Yet, in a way, we are in the middle of a building project just like the Sagrada Familia. We’re no longer part of a physical building project. But we are part of God’s spiritual building project called Sturgeon Valley Baptist Church that started nearly 41 years ago and will continue as long as God serves as chief architect. The question we face today is “what role is God calling each of us to play in the next phase of His building project here at SVBC?”
