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 Have you ever seen a 3D Printer? It is an amazing “tool” or maybe just a “toy.” It is piece of equipment that takes filament and makes a toy, a part or anything else you might want. It takes a 3D image put on a computer, and it then can make that item. It may sound crazy, but it is finally affordable so lots of people are getting them.

You can only imagine the possibilities of having a 3D printer. They are limitless and I did not realize how limitless they are until I heard about a church in Austin. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Austin is in real disrepair. Their current buildings were originally built in 1959, but about 30 years ago these buildings started to really deteriorate. The foundation rests on rotting telephone poles, the roof leaks and Asbestos hides under every carpeted surface. They even have racoons running around in the attic.

They have spent money on plans, but these plans only sit in drawers or closets because the cost of a new building exceeds 8 million dollars. The people were not interested in investing in that kind of project. So, they have sat on the idea, and the church continues to sit still and fall apart. But then a construction company was contacted that could build up to 30 feet high walls all made by a 3D printer. And the idea was hatched- “We could build a church with this thing!”

It was determined that this building could be produced with different designs, cheaper and more durable than a conventional construction. The church’s floor plan shows an oval outline with an altar in the center and rows of pews going outward. The plan for the church is very odd (I don’t like it) but it is interesting.

As I read about this, I thought about how some things change, some things bring improvements, and some things should never change. Church buildings are important and the styles of churches have definitely changed. The buildings may bring great improvements. Our new building I believe added so much to the existing buildings, but there are also some things that must never change. The power of the Gospel or the purpose of the church should never change. Acts 2:41-47 describes what the church should look like. It says;

41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. 1

As you see, people accepting the Gospel and being changed is the primary purpose. The Scripture says, they came together and grew together and praised God together. That is the picture of a church. God is adding to our number, and we praise God for that. Our Sunday School is growing. Our Wednesday night activities are about to start again, and growth is happening there as well. As we get ready to get back into the swing of our activities, I want to challenge you to get involved. It is more than just attending, it is being a part of what God is doing here at FBC. I think as God continues to bless us, we must also remember that change is inevitable. As we grow, we must
also prepare for new growth. With growth brings new challenges, but nothing the Lord can’t handle. I know that as our church grows it changes, and as it changes, we must be willing to change with it, because God’s plans are big. So get ready and remember we can trust God even if He decides to use a 3D Printer to get us there.

In Christ,
Brother Alan

1 The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Ac 2:41–47. 

 Think about how gold is processed. When gold ore is pulled out of the dirt, it looks like a rough rock full of junk. The guy refining it doesn't try to scrub it clean with a brush. Instead, he throws it straight into a blazing hot furnace to melt it down. Under intense heat, all the cheap, worthless junk separates from the gold and rises to the top so he can skim it off. The fire doesn't destroy the gold; it proves it’s the real deal and makes it pure.

The Apostle Peter says that the exact same thing happens to us. In 1 Peter 1:6–7, he writes that our trials come so that the tested genuineness of our faith—which is more  precious than gold—may result in praise and glory when Jesus is revealed. 

We all hit weeks where everything feels heavy whether it be brutal deadlines, arguments at home, or just the low-grade anxiety of paying bills. Our automatic reaction is to ask God to fix it or get us out of it, thinking that if God loved us, life would be smooth sailing. But the heat we are feeling isn't a sign that God has abandoned us; it’s a sign that He is working on us. Even after we accept Jesus, we still have "impure alloys" clinging to us. These are elements of our character and faith that don’t belong—things that masquerade as genuine but completely crumble under pressure. When life is easy, we can live comfortably with pride, bitterness, and performative spirituality for years without ever realizing they are there. It’s easy to say you believe a rope is strong while you’re using it to tie up a cardboard box on the ground. But hanging from that same rope over the edge of a cliff reveals whether your belief is real.

Comfort- dependent faith looks good until the storm hits. Trials come to expose these impurities, these impurities are not to destroy us, but to refine us. Our sufferings make our hidden sins blindingly obvious. As the heat brings them to the surface, we’re finally able to deal with them, skimming and scraping off ungodly qualities until what remains is pure and beautiful. The fire burns away the false confidence and shallow convictions, leaving only authentic faith standing. You aren't being punished; you are being refined. Your God is massive, your inheritance is secure, and the fire you're in right now is only making you stronger.

We are having our worship night on the 9th and it will be structured like a regular service, not to be confused with a sing along where people just get on stage and start singing. But don’t fret, we are still going to have an amazing time together as a family worshiping the LORD. Afterwards, stick around because we will have an ice cream social! This month will also start our cantata practices. We will start practice at 4 PM on August 16th.

Much love Yall,

Tyler