Narrative & Minutes of Sept. 20, 2006 meeting to

CONVENE The Building Committee … Messiah United Methodist Church

Building Committee Members per Aug. 20, 2006 Church Conference are Betty Jane Wyrick, Howard Albrecht, Heather Deutsch, and Kevin Plasterer.  Meetings are open to all who desire to attend.

ALL members of the Committee attended; Pastor Howell is a member by virtue of the pastoral office.  Members of the congregation in attendance:  Marlin Johnson and Brenda Gabler.

The meeting was convened at 7 p.m. by Pastor Howell who will serve as facilitator in opening sessions as the Committee reflects on its assigned task, its scope of work, and decides on how it will be organized. 

A)  Opening Conversation centered on these aspects with reflections as noted: 

1) How is it that we’ve arrived at this point? 

*  The Committee named the core “genesis” issues/reasons that led us to this point.

The main 3 that were identified were: 

1)  Appearance/hospitality and welcoming aspects (or lack thereof) such as

            accessibility, environment, etc. 

2) Space.  Need for additional space and/or reconfiguration of existing space to

            support ministry growth.

3)  Facility refurbishment to address building issues that hamstring our ministry

            efforts & resourses. 

            2)  Expectations and Pulse:

            *   The Committee sought to name what has been heard insofar as thoughts, hopes, concerns on how this

                        is moved forward … where things go from here.  Overwhelmingly, what has been heard has been

                        very positive, with a strong sense that the Committee can move forward, identifying next steps

                        in ways that lead to concrete proposals for action.   Expectations clearly seem to be that we as a

congregation have come to a realization that these areas need to be addressed and action taken.  The sense was that the 95-0 Aug. 20 Church Conference vote confirms that.

3) The Building Committee’s connection to what’s been done to date.

This group agreed to proceed with appreciation to the Ministry & Facility process and leadership, but with no commitments, directives, etc. to which it is bound.  The Committee agreed to constantly hold its “charge” for it as the work progresses.  “Our Charge is within the umbrella of the 5-point pathway adopted 95-0 by the Aug. 20, 2006 Church Conference.”  (Need a copy?  Contact the church office).

B)  What is God’s Will?

  Pastor Howell then led the group in a time of reflection, asking God for help that the Building Committee might “keep the main thing, the main thing.”  The Committee prayed together:  (and invites readers of these minutes to pray the same)

Dear Lord, save us from taking ourselves too seriously in this process.  But, help us to take very seriously the challenge to ask your will at each crossroads, in each decision, in all moments.  We need your Wisdom, O God, and we ask for your Grace.

     Save us, also from the arrogance of centering ourselves in opinion … whether ours alone

or that of others.  And guard us, O God, from the ignorance that would even go there …

     We have been entrusted with leadership in an exciting season in the lift of this faith community, and we are honored by that.  We ask, then, for your strength and encouragement to lift us through this process.  Find us faithful, O God.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

The Committee also prayed this portion of Psalm 127: 

   If God doesn’t build the house, the builders only build shacks.  ^{(… Labor in Vain …)}

   If God doesn’t guard the city, the night watchman might as well nap.

   It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone.

   Don’t you know God enjoys giving rest to those he loves?

Pastor Howell then reminded the Committee members that “This Process is not meant to exhaust us, or to burden us.  If and when we sense that occurring, we must pause to determine if we need to be better equipped, better ‘staffed,’ or re-focused to continue the journey …

C)  OUR CONVENING TASKS:

The Building Committee spent time with the following:

1) OUR SCOPE – We looked at the authorizing language from Aug. 20 Church Conference

2) The Discipline – We reviewed the “fencing” (or boundaries) of The United Methodist Discipline … with appropriate caution to be open to God’s work and will in our context.  In other words, we will not use the Discipline in a fundamentalistic way.  We will, however, to be guided by it. 

3) How are We To Approach Our Task?  We talked about possible models to fulfilling our work: 

· Traditional way   (hire an architect and pursue an over-arching project guide)

· Design-build  (work with a consultant/architect with more hands-on Building Committee involvement)

· Modified Model  (some variation thereof to meet our needs/reality)

· Renovation Wedded With Construction  (weave existing plans & Trustee work into new design and planning)

No decisions were made on #3.  In fact, the Committee will collect much information before it makes a determination.

 The Committee Agreed that “Form best Follows Function.”  Consensus was that as we hear what’s been done, remain faithful to the “genesis” issues, and proceed, a “form” that best suits how we will proceed will become clear.

4) The Committee Agreed to “HEAR OUR WAY FORWARD” in upcoming meetings by doing the following:   

1)  Oct. 11, 7 p.m., Fellowship Hall:  The Committee will receive information from Bill Spencer, Trustee Chair, and the Trustees on their work, data collection, learnings to date on those issues/areas which dovetail with work under our commission.  This would include but not be limited to Fellowship Hall HVAC & renovation, etc., Evangel Center HVAC, electrical, etc. 

2)  TENTATIVELY:  Oct. 18, 7 p.m., Fellowship Hall:  The Committee hopes to receive input and guidance from Mr. Blain Bargo, an experienced project manager/designer and tradesman, who is a Certified United Methodist Layspeaker, to speak with us about the pitfalls and mistakes churches often deal with and learn only in hindsight through such a process.  Mr. Bargo offers his expertise as a ministry to churches as part of his stewardship call to assist churches in using gifts and resources wisely.  He first walked through our facility about five years ago and offered detailed input that has guided much of our Trustees’ response to things to date.  Blain also facilitated installation of the sanctuary AC through his connections … a project that ended up costing $30,000 less – a conservative estimate – than what we could have faced without his input. 

Committee members shared thoughts on several aspects, including:

• COMMUNICATION – we commit to communicate regularly our work and status.
• OPENNESS – ALL MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO ANYONE DESIRING TO ATTEND.  MEETINGS WILL OCCUR AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE ON WEDNESDAY EVENINGS SO THAT WE HAVE A GENERAL MEETING NIGHT.  WE WILL NOT MEET EACH WEEK … BUT AS NECESSARY.  MEETINGS WILL BE ANNOUNCED. 
• REFLECTION ON:  a)  How to foster an atmosphere in which any member of the congregation knows that their advice, questions and input are welcome.  b) Additional discussion needed on how any “advisory group” would work; what it would look like, AND c) discussion near-term on whether the current size of the Committee is sufficient.
• A RECOGNITION:  There was a Recognition that leaders will be misinterpreted and will receive criticism, but that resolve and commitment by those serving on this Committee to what God has called them is of primary importance.
• AN UNDERSTANDING:  There was an understanding that this process will require prayerful presentations on status and next steps to Messiah Church …   AN EMPHASIS:  No one need fear that a major plan or project is being unleashed behind-the-scenes.  This project will evolve as God leads, and the congregation will be informed, and prayerful gatherings to either Confirm or otherwise DISCERN “God’s Will” will be announced and held.

It is essential, Messiah Church, that you hold these leaders and this ministry in your prayers.

Meeting Adjourned, seeking God’s blessing, at 7:45 p.m.