Sacred Places Spring 2013 | Page 19

Its size had become a dilemma for the congregation as building maintenance overshadowed ministry. Large spaces throughout the church were unused and underutilized while others were only used one day a week. The church considered the possibility of moving several times, recognizing that it could not maintain the building without new uses and partners. “Pride or fear could have made the whole thing fall apart. People here were patient with the process” Otis Thornton, Homelessness Program Director for the City of Fort Worth, about the process of creating the Community Eye Clinic of Fort Worth. The strong relationship between First Christian Church and Partners for Sacred Places began with the opening of the