We have been in our current building for just over 4 years. We bought it in the midst of the COVID restrictions in 2020 and I remember with strange fondness preaching for the first time in our new digs… to no one but a worship team and a few A/V people. A weird feeling to be sure.
Now, in 2024, we have made it our home. An almost too small home. We have realized over the last number of years that the old building we bought is just that, an old building, and thus is in need of some maintenance, expansion, and beautification to ensure that it will serve us well for the next 4 years or 14 or 40 or whatever.
Why do we need to do these kinds of things? A few reasons. First, it is the place of our ministry and thus we need a proper place to do the things that God has called us to do. Second, we are to be good stewards of what God has given to us. We need to take the 5 talents God has given to us and invest them so that he may grow his kingdom. (cf Matthew 25:14ff) Third, the state of our building is reflective of who we believe our God to be. Not that we need to construct a great cathedral, but surely God’s house is worth as much care and attention as our own houses. More actually. How we treat God’s house shows the world what we think of our God. Last, since we are to do all things to the glory of God, how we treat our building is an act of worship. As God says to Israel in Malachi 1:14, “Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished.” May we not keep our best for ourselves and offer God only that which is left over.
It’s easy to miss, but we’ve already been doing a lot. I’m sure you’ve noticed the recent foyer changes designed to give us more room to gather before and after services. We did similar work downstairs to make a larger more usable space for those who sit downstairs Sunday morning to watch the service and for our potlucks, men’s and women’s nights, and other gatherings throughout the year. The kitchen has been given a facelift and we’ve added a water softener and new taps which don’t get noticed but are a big help. All of the bathrooms, up and down, have new fixtures and paint. We’ve added a whack of new technology which enables us to livestream our services and make life a bit easier for our speakers and musicians; not to mention allowing us to declutter the stage somewhat. We’ve renovated the small, but perfectly functional space beside the sanctuary for use as my office and we’ve created a recording room / library downstairs. We’ve also painted almost every wall in the church.
Things have come a long way in 48ish months.
But we must continue. There are many things that still need to be done… the blessings of an old building to call home we could say. The outside of our church looks terrible and needs refurbishment. That will come sometime in June. We plan to put concrete curbing around our newly planted trees and to create clear borders between the parking lot and the new sod we hope to lay down around the back and east side of the church. In the future, we hope to add a gazebo in order to create a space for people to meet after church to continue their fellowship. We also need to do some additional cosmetic upgrades inside the church - a new coffee bar, drywall, paint, etc. Next year, we hope to address our parking lot, which often looks more like a field as summer hums along. But for now, grass and borders are a good start. In the Fall, we need to do a long-needed replacement of our upstairs windows and the main outside door, as well as upgrading our roof insulation. As we look into the (not so?) distant future, we are going to need more space. If God continues to add to our number, we will need to expand our meeting place to accommodate his work among us.
As you already know these kinds of things take time, money, and energy. So let me begin by saying a big ‘thank-you’ to everyone who has sacrificed, and continues to sacrifice, in order to lend a practical hand to get this kind of stuff done. Walls don’t paint themselves; wires don’t run themselves; and toilets don’t get swapped out themselves. I am so encouraged by all the willingness this church has shown to get stuff done and then when one project is finished to ask what else can be done. What a blessing!
Another big ‘thank-you’ is needed to all of you who give your money so sacrificially. I have never been part of a church in any capacity - as elder, pastor, or other - that has given so faithfully and so generously. I’m truly staggered by how your faithfulness has allowed us to do so many things - not just in the building but in ministry as well.
It is with great confidence, then, that we undertake some larger projects. The windows, doors, and insulation will probably cost around $15,000-$18,000. This upgrade will help to make us more efficient and lower our monthly heating / cooling costs. Once the final numbers come in, we’ll put out a breakdown of the costs and a final dollar figure. The parking lot next spring / summer will cost at least that as well.
The elders have created a budget line for these bigger projects; simply called - building fund. We aren’t an imaginative group, as you can tell. We ask that you prayerfully consider contributing to these building projects but please do not do so at the expense of your monthly giving. If you desire to contribute, please donate with the tag ‘building fund.’
If you have any questions about what we are doing, or if you have any ideas about how to raise funds don’t hesitate to contact me.
Soli Deo Gloria