July 2024 News - National Association of Church Facilities Managers

Embracing the Freedom of Sabbath Rest
MESSAGE FROM NACFM VICE PRESIDENT LARA WOOD

Wow…what an amazing week we just had in Grand Rapids!! I am still processing all that was shared and experienced. We expanded our career knowledge, experienced great worship, and took part in times of excellent fellowship. Upon returning home, however, the pressures of day-to-day ministry supporting family and church activities came rushing back like a tsunami! Can you identify with this?

On our last day at the conference, our NACFM Board Treasurer gave a great message on “Spiritually Preparing Your Heart for Your Role in the Kingdom.” One of the key freedoms given to us by God himself is Sabbath. The Sabbath is more than just a day off; it is a divine invitation to step away from our labor and find rest in the Lord. When God established the Sabbath, He demonstrated that rest is not only necessary but also holy. It's a time set apart to renew our bodies, minds, and spirits by connecting deeply with our Creator.

Sabbath was given as a freedom to the Israelites who knew nothing but work, sunup to sundown, every day of the week. The children of Israel were in survival mode. The gift of Sabbath was a symbol of their deliverance from bondage. It reminded them that they were a free people chosen by God. It was a celebration of their newfound freedom and a reminder of God’s saving grace.

In the hustle and bustle of ministry and everyday life, it can often feel like there's never enough time to get everything done. We rush from one task to another, juggling responsibilities and often sacrificing rest. Yet, amidst this busyness, God also offers us the precious gift of Sabbath.

Jesus emphasized the true purpose of the Sabbath in Mark 2:27, saying, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." This means that the Sabbath is a gift from God meant to benefit us. It’s not a burden or a legalistic obligation but a blessing and an opportunity for restoration. This gift will come back to us multiplied in the service we are able to give to others!

So, I challenge all of us to use the practical strategies that Scott Couchenour presented in the “Goal Mastery” session. Let’s set and write down a goal of embracing the Sabbath as a divine gift with the purpose of fostering an environment and legacy where individuals, families, and communities can deepen their relationship with God. When we focus on this it will perpetuate a rhythm of life that will go a long way to balance work and rest. Determine what actions need to be taken in your life to make this a priority, visualize the journey and commit to it.

The freedoms we experience in the United States are a precious gift. The freedom found in Jesus Christ is of eternal significance. As we enjoy our earthly liberties, let us not forget the spiritual liberation and invitation to rest that Christ offers.

May God continue to bless and keep you all, and may God bless America!

Lara Wood
NACFM Vice President

The 2025 NACFM National Conference took place June 17-20 in Grand Rapids, MI. We are grateful to Calvary Church for being such a welcoming host. Excellent attendance, fantastic speakers, spiritual renewal and wonderful fellowship are only a few of the reasons that this year’s conference was a huge success! Enjoy the photos below from our 2024 conference.

Congratulations to our newest
Certified Church Facilities Managers!

Shop Your Online NACFM Store Today!

We’re thrilled to announce that we now have branded NACFM merchandise available for purchase! Proudly display your association with the NACFM and let others see your devotion to our organization. Here are the new items:

• 21oz metal bottle with screw top lid
•. Trucker hat
•. Dad hat
•. Journal with zippered pocket

To order simply login to the NACFM website, click on the Resources tab and find the Online Store.