At our last Deacon's Meeting, it was announced that the Elders are giving serious consideration to the need for a new facility. Of course, this is a major undertaking requiring a major commitment of the entire family. What do you think?
Monday, December 05, 2005
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7 comments:
I'll go first... I have mixed feelings. I'm a little excited about the possibilities of a new facility, new location; however, considering the ultimate financial obligation this will require, I wonder about other options. We are definitely constrained by our current facility. The idea of 2 services seems worth serious consideration.
I agree with Jamie about needing a new building but being concerned about the 2 separate services splitting us up. I really hope the new building doesn't have carpet in the auditorium. I SO LOVED the way we all sounded when we sang during the time we were waiting for the new carpeting to be put in the auditorium! It was great!
I'm all for the change as long as Sunshine will remain together.
Just to add to the mix of thought...
Resistance to the idea of split services is understandable, my feelings resonate with those previously expressed. However, if we grow in numbers (like we hope we will), then a time will come that we will not be all together even if we worshipped in a big facility at the same time. Around the country, numerous congregations have evolved to split services. That doesn't make it the right choice for us, but it does suggest that it's an idea worth long-term consideration.
At our last leadership retreat, Gary Bradley made the statement, "If you want to get bigger, you have to get smaller." He explained that the life of the congregation is in the smaller groups.
Just thinking out loud...
I think it's great and essential that we are talking about expanding in some way or another. Planning for future growth LEADS TO growth for a congregation. Not just for a building, but in faith, spirituality, and leadership. If a congregation is to grow the first thing that must happen is that the leadership must act in a manner in which growth is welcome and expected. This could mean more elders needed, more deacons, more staff. More parking, more seating, etc.
How about more worship. I was just thinking if we went to two morning services, maybe with bible study in between, how many people would be there for both services! I probably would! More worship, more opportunity for involvement. This is exciting!!!
God will provide what we need. And certainly we need to weigh each decision carefully, but the easiest way to kill a growth movement is to do nothing at all. Let's all pray very hard about what may be coming in our future and keep a positive attitude about God's provisions.
When Tim and I travel to Maryland, we attend a church of Christ that has 2 separate services. Something interesting about it is that one service is very traditional and the other service is more contemporary (new fangled stuff). Tim and I love it! There are many things we've noticed about that particular congregation and the way they do things that we have fallen in love with. The only thing about having 2 separate services is the fact that if you don't stay for both services, you don't ever get to see the rest of the congregation. I personally NEED everyone every week. I can just make sure I eat a big hearty breakfast before going to church that way I'm not starving to death when I attempt to stay for both services. ;)
We CAN make this work. God will see to it if this is what He wants us all to do.
You know that. ;)
In my few years at Sunshine I have seen Sunshine grow tremedously by having faith in GOD that he will lead the way. He has given us shepherds that always look to the LORD for the direction Sunshine needs to go and it seems to be working. My personal opinion is whenever I have seen a church expand their facilities they grow, as evident by our expansion a few years back. The couple of churches that I know have gone to two services have struggled for reasons that I probably do not know but has been evident by outside people. But I have confidence no matter what we do, our shepherds and family will make it work.
Well, guess it's time to throw in my two cents worth.
I missed the meeting...planned to be there but just forgot. I'm glad to hear this news! I feel it's time to look at a new facility as well. My only hope is that we do a better job at it than we did with our fellowship hall and recent remodeling project.
The construction there took several years to complete something that should have taken 6 months or so. I realize that some of the delay was due to our financing it out-of-pocket and not going into debt for it, but even at that it shouldn't have taken as long as it did.
Also there was a lot of changing horses in mid-stream. The original plans and the final product are dramatically different. A lot of things were done and then un-done and done over a different way.
If we decide to go into this, we need to do it right.
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