The following document explores 5 different aspects of the upcoming church expansion.
Sometime in 2009 it is possible that we will be ready to break ground for the church expansion. We are working with Rockwell Construction, a company in the process of developing plans for a 2-phase project. Phase One would include an expanded foyer, additional classrooms and an area for worship services that would seat several hundred people. Phase Two – which would begin several years after the completion of Phase One – would include additional classrooms and a large (approximately 1,000 seat) auditorium.
The following is important information regarding the upcoming church expansion.
Part 1- Exploring Options and Making Plans
Part 2 – Finances
Part 3 - Difficult Decisions
Part 4 – Turning the Page
Part 5 – Why Expand?
Part 1 - Exploring Options and Making Plans
Back around 2000-2001 - after more than a decade of consistent growth – it became apparent that it was time to begin talking about another church building project. The addition that was built in the early 90’s was serving us well, but continued growth would bring increasing pressure in regards to foyer, classroom and worship space.
RELOCATION AND RENOVATION
Discussion took place regarding the possible relocation of the church. A Land Search Committee was formed to explore potential sites, including what used to be the Ice Skating Rink in Zullinger. A combination of cost and ties to our present location led to the decision to develop and expand the land that we currently occupy.
Once the decision was made to remain here, a Land Development Committee was formed. This committee explored many options, and presented them to the Planning and Development Committee (made up of the pastors, church board, trustees and finance committee). These options included remodeling and adding on to the parsonage, putting a building on the upper parking lot, putting a building in the area of the small white house at the church entrance. After many months and many drawings, it was decided we would get the most use from a building that would be connected to our current facilities. A Building Committee (currently consisting of Mark Flohr, Jay Wenger, Ron Strite, and John Groves) was formed.
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN JUNE 2003
Five years ago - in June 2003 – a Special Council Meeting was held to discuss what was called “The Next Big Step.” The P & D Committee was seeking the congregation’s approval for a church expansion. The congregation was presented with plans* that included an enlarged foyer, additional and larger classrooms, more worship space, more activity space, more offices, a covered drop off area, additional restrooms. At this point there were no plans for an auditorium or sanctuary. The Recommendation to build passed 165 to 18. Cost of the building was projected to run (best case scenario) at least 2.5 million dollars.
* The church was the beneficiary of much work and many hours put into the design by John Harvey, who attended Five Forks at that time and has since moved to North Carolina.
SECOND COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN JUNE 2004
The Building Committee continued to meet and receive input from the congregation. In April of 2004 they recommended to the P & D Committee a modification of the 2003 plans, and these modifications were presented to the congregation for their approval. These modifications included a 900+ seat auditorium. This recommendation passed 151 to 4. The drawings were published and displayed in the foyer. With the addition of an auditorium the original minimum cost of 2.5 million dollars would increase substantially.
Part 2 - Finances
In 2004 the congregation gave the go ahead for a church expansion project. The cost of the original 2003 project was estimated to run a minimum of 2.5 million, and then plans were modified in 2004 to include a large auditorium, a decision that would significantly increase the cost of the project. Come the end of 2004 we had a little over $340,000 in our Building Fund.
HOW MUCH DOWN…HOW BIG A LOAN?
The Planning and Development Committee has been working with a goal of having 50% of the total cost of the project in the Building Fund before breaking ground. Therefore, if the building were to run between 3 and 4 million dollars, we would like to have 1.5 to 2 million in cash before breaking ground. Note: Eventually the congregation will need to determine the size of the loan we can and should take out prior to breaking ground. We believe the congregation would support a loan in the amount of 1.5 million, with monthly payments running approximately $15,000 per month.
Back in 2004 we acknowledged that while $340,000 was a good start, we would need to work hard in order to get to the 1.5-2 million dollar mark before growth begins to slow due to space limitations (crowded classrooms, foyer and hallways…limited seating in various worship services and limited parking).
THREE MAIN SOURCES OF INCOME
There are 3 streams of revenue that go into the Building Fund…
1. Monthly transfers from the General Fund into the Building Fund.
2. Monthly or Annual contributions from the congregation via the "Laying Bricks For Jesus" envelopes.
3. Contributions from Special Events such as the Church Bazaar/Auction, Rent of the church facilities, Memorial Gifts, etc.
Here’s how we’ve been doing since we paid off the loan on the 1993/94 addition and became “Debt Free in 2003”…
2004
Money transferred from the General Fund = $72,000 ($6,000 per month)
Contributions from the Congregation = $277,000
Contributions from Special Events, etc. = $37,000
Total = $386,000
2005
Money transferred from the General Fund = $93,200* ($7,766 per month)
Contributions from the Congregation = $180,000
Contributions from Special Events, etc. = $46,895**
Total = $320,095
* = includes $20,000 that was given from year end surplus funds
** = includes $15,000 that came in through Project Serve II
2006
Money transferred from the General Fund = $108,000 ($9,000 per month)
Contributions from the Congregation = $99,977
Contributions from Special Events, etc. = $43,121
Total = $251,098
Note: $23,877 was taken out of the Building Fund this year for land development fees as we prepare to build.
2007
Money transferred from the General Fund = $144,000 ($12,000 per month)
Contributions from the Congregation = $127,146
Contributions from Special Events, etc. = $46,133
Total = $317,279
Note: $33,312 was taken out of the Building Fund this year for land development fees as we prepare to build.
FINANCE COMMITTEE GOAL
The Finance Committee has set a goal of transferring $15,000 each month from the General Fund into the Building Fund. This Committee is not comfortable breaking ground until we can show that we are able to handle the monthly mortgage payment (which will run around $15,000 per month). The Finance Committee is phasing this figure into the General Fund over several years…$9,000 was transferred from the General Fund each month in 2006. $12,000 will be transferred each month in 2007, $13,500 will be transferred each month in 2008, and finally it is our goal to transfer $15,000 per month in 2009. The Building Project would be delayed or put on hold if we see that we are unable to make this monthly transfer. (Contributions from the congregation and income from Special Events can and will be used to purchase tables, chairs, stage, speakers, screens, projectors and many other incidentals that will be needed once the building is complete.)
Part 3 - Difficult Decisions
In 2004 the congregation gave the go ahead on a church expansion project and for the past four years we have been contributing and transferring money into the Building Fund in an effort to come up with 50% cash down on the total cost of the building.
DISCOURAGING NEWS
A day was set aside in December of 2005 for the Building Committee and the Staff to meet with various construction companies. Each company gave a presentation about their company and shared with us their thoughts regarding the plans that we had drawn up.
All were in agreement that we would find it very difficult to build what we had designed on paper for 4 million dollars. In the Spring of 2006 we received an estimate of 6 million dollars from one of the companies. The other companies did not submit estimates, but based on discussions with them we had every reason to believe that the 6 million dollar figure was not out of line.
This was discouraging news of course, and caused the Building Committee and the Staff to take a step back and consider where to go from here.
Suddenly we were looking at the prospect of raising 3 million dollars and looking to borrow 3 million. We would not feel comfortable recommending a loan of this size to our congregation, and it would take many years (more than 10) for us to be able to raise 3 million dollars at our present rate.
POLLING THE P & D COMMITTEE
The Building Committee met with the Planning and Development Committee to discuss how to proceed. Discussion revolved around how much of a loan the congregation might approve, and how much money could we expect to raise over the next year or two, before some of the services – specifically the 9:30 and 11:00 services in the Worship Center - would face increasing pressure when it came to seating. Certain Sundays where attendance was strong was already causing the ushers to work a little harder to find a block of empty seats for families.
Because the Planning and Development Committee consists of over 30 men and women from the congregation, we believed this would give us a good representation of the church as a whole. A very large majority was comfortable with a loan of at least 1.5 million, and eventually this figure will need congregational approval. Based on this meeting, the Building Committee began making plans once again.
Part 4 - Turning the Page
Review: After approving a church expansion in 2004, and contributing money to the Building Fund over the past few years, an estimate of 6 million dollars for what was designed came in early last year. This figure was more than the Building Committee or Planning & Development Committee (Pastors, Church Board, Finance Committee and Trustees) was comfortable with. A loan in the amount of 1.5 million dollars was set as the cap, and this figure would eventually require congregational approval in order to proceed.
BUILDING COMMITTEE CONSIDERS OPTIONS
The Building Committee continued to meet and seek the Lord’s direction. Consideration was given to the 27 acres of land we purchased a mile up Five Forks Road several years ago. If we are going to invest around 3 million in a building project, how far would 3 million dollars go starting from scratch? The input that was given indicated that 3 million would not get us very far, and so the focus of the Building Committee remained here at our current location.
It was eventually decided that the best way to proceed would be to remain here and build in 2 Phases. To identify immediate needs and include these in Phase One, and delay some of lesser needs and place them in Phase Two. A limit of 3 million dollars would be placed on Phase One with a goal of saving 1.5 million and borrowing the same.
Discussion revolved around “immediate needs.” In order for the church to continue to grow, we identified three major needs…First: worship space for adults - for if we cannot find space on Sunday mornings for unchurched adults, growth will certainly be challenged. It is not as simple as asking people to come on a Saturday night or come to the 8:00 service. Second: Space for our children and our Youth – Because as adults come, so will their children. And we have been making continual adjustments over the years to maximize the space we currently have. The Youth Service is currently being held in classrooms which do not lend themselves to a Worship Service. This will continue to be a challenge as growth continues. Finally, Foyer space. There are times when the foyer is not very crowded…however there are times when it’s hard to move even a short distance, and this will only become a greater problem as the church continues to grow.
While acknowledging that Worship Space for adults is needed, the Building Committee believed it wise to put off the thousand seat auditorium and make it the primary piece of Phase Two. The auditorium in and of itself is a significant part of the overall cost of the expansion. In the meantime, the Building Committee would be looking for a large room with a ceiling at least 12 feet high – that could seat several hundred people during prime hours on Sunday mornings. This would allow for the church to continue to grow for years – until we are prepared to begin Phase Two which would include the auditorium.
ROCKWELL CONSTRUCTION
Late in 2006 the Building Committee chose Rockwell Construction Company to work with on this project. They will be involved in the continuing design as well as the construction of the building. Currently the plans are evolving from the existing plans that were drawn up in 2002 and 2005.
This Summer we hope to be able to present to the congregation detailed plans that will enable us to work towards our goal of continued growth and most importantly, changed lives.
The Building Committee will report to the Planning and Development Committee to get their feedback, and we will look to you, the congregation, to seek your approval of the plans and the financial recommendation sometime later this year.
Part 5 - Why Expand?
Review: After approving a church expansion in 2004, and contributing money to the Building Fund over the past few years, an estimate of 6 million dollars came in on the original plans. The Building Committee explored other options, and came up with a plan to build in two Phases…which would allow for us to meet our immediate needs and continue to grow if the Lord is willing.
18 YEARS OF GROWTH
Starting in the late 1980’s, Five Forks has grown by an average of 42 individuals per year. With growth came the need for additional space as worship services and classrooms began filling up. The Lord helped us to meet this challenge two ways: Adding additional services through the years, and building an addition (The Worship Center, foyer, offices and classrooms) in the early 90’s. We were able to buy land that was attached or close to our original property which enabled us to add parking.
After 18 years of growth, we experienced a decrease in attendance in 2007. This decline took place during a 6 month period in the middle of the year. Growth resumed during the last three months of 2007 and we continue to humbly ask the Lord to send us three groups of people: Those who don’t know Jesus (so that they can come and hear about Him and form relationships with those who do know the Lord)…those who are hurting (so that we may help them and encourage them and show them how Jesus loves)….those who can help us minister to the lost and the hurting.
God has been gracious to us by answering these prayers, and we are going to continue to ask. If the Lord continues to answer our prayers, we will surely find it necessary to either: Add services or expand once again. We believe that it would be difficult to find much relief by adding additional services.
The two services that will soon pose the greatest challenge in regards to space are the 9:30 and 11:00 services in the Worship Center. It does not seem practical to expect a majority of those now attending these services to come to the 8:00 service, or come to an evening service, say, on a Saturday night. An informal poll indicated that interest in a service on a Non-Sunday morning would not be appealing to our congregation…at least not enough to create significant space in those two mid-late morning services.
And so if we continue to grow, it would seem reasonable to continue to add on to our present property.
“THAT’S ENOUGH LORD” OR “SEND US MORE LORD”
What is so very important is the current mind-set of the congregation. For the past 18 years the Lord has answered our prayers and has changed many lives, and has brought a level of participation and excitement that often leaves us in awe.
For many of us it would be hard to imagine being a part of a church that is not committed to growth. It is all that many of us know. And yet it is easy to become complacent because our needs are being met, and there is always a price to pay when it comes to growth.
And so we must be honest and ask ourselves, “What is our current mind-set?” Is it, “That’s enough Lord”, or is it “Please, send us more, Lord.” It takes more than talk of course, it means looking for opportunities to invite unchurched friends, co-workers and family members to come and join us here at Five Forks. Not so that we can build another building, but so that they can come to know and love and serve Jesus. So that we can continue to reach out and help meet the needs of those in this community and increase our support for missions around the world.
One thing that worked in our favor in the early 90’s was the mind-set of the church back then. Five Forks was growing, but still we were a church of less than 300 people. Instead of being content with two services, we continued to ask the Lord to send more people. Those who led the way were those who were part of a core of 30-40 families who have been attending Five Forks for years, and were willing to accept the inevitable changes that come with growth.
Is this next generation willing to follow in their footsteps and are we still willing to pay the price that it takes to grow?
TESTIMONIES
Our Baptismal Services are very special. If you usually attend these services, you have found this to be true. If you don’t, you have missed – through the years- testimony after testimony of how Jesus has worked and is working through the Five Forks Church. How this person or this group of people reached out to them, invited them here, loved them, encouraged them…and as Jesus spoke to them they responded to Him and arrived at this special night in their life.
When we talk about building, we have to emphasize again that it’s not about us. It’s not about being a part of the largest church in the area. It’s about the countless people who are all around us who do not know Jesus and who desperately need His presence in their lives.
EXCITING TIMES
We are at an exciting and yet challenging time in the life of the church. We hope you are of the mind-set of “Send us more, Lord.” If you are, we would like to invite you to join us in “Laying Bricks for Jesus” through your financial support and through your prayers.
What a great time it is to be a part of the body of Christ at Five Forks! Let’s look to the future and ask Jesus to work through us so that many, many more will be able to say these very same words.