What
would you do if your city chose to take the property on which your church
building was located? That is the challenge the Cottonwood Christian Center faced
in 2002. The City Council of Cypress, California voted to seize the
congregation’s property in order to build a Costco.
The
church filed a lawsuit. Ultimately, a settlement was reached where the city
offered the church property to build a new facility in the same relative area.
According
to the book of Hebrews, part of the persecution the church faced was the
confiscation of property. Granted, that was more likely private property;
however, it was still painful for the Christians—so much so, some were leaving
the faith.
Our
American culture has not marginalized Christians to the extent of ancient Rome,
but we are headed in that direction. In the past, it would have been
unthinkable for a city council to make a decision like that of the city of Cypress.
I
feel the Christianity is headed for more adversity. Will we respond in faith as
Hebrews calls for us to do?
