The Q & A
The Q & A
Project Urgency
Is this project really necessary?
The results of the assessment study indicate that this is necessary.
Each child (pre-school) needs 15 sq. foot
Each child (grade K-6) needs 20 sq. foot
Each youth (grade 7-12) needs 20 sq foot
Our children and babies up to youth need "activity space"of which we have none.
We have 5 classroom spaces...we need space for 10 classes.
We have no storage space in this building.
How was the building project timing decided?
The timing of this building project was in response to three factors. The council conducted a space-need assessment and determined there was a need. We then hired Siebenlist Architects to assess further and begin planning. This has resulted in a basic master plan. Finally, the Council launched the Together We Build His House effort to help determine if we have sufficient funds to pay for the project. The Council has indicated that now is the time to pursue this project.
The Decision to Give
How can I handle this faith promise (pledge) with the economy the way it is?
Your decision to make a faith promise to this building project is one that should be driven by prayer. With God's help, decide what your faith promise will be. If you encounter financial hardships, you may deal with your faith promise in the way that works best for your situation. Your faith promise is not a binding contract.
Since three years is a long time and my financial situation could change during that time, can I make a faith promise for only one year?
Again, your faith promise is not a binding contract. We encourage you to make a faith promise for the three-year period. If you encounter financial hardships, or if your situation were to improve, we ask you to prayerfully decide how to handle the remainder of your commitment.
I don't want to be told what to give.
Many people are uncomfortable being told what they should give. Therefore, for the Together We Build His Church project the Church Ministry Fund Team will not suggest a percentage gift for each family. The goal is for equal sacrifice among our membership, not equal gifts. It is through prayerful consideration that you should decide the amount of your faith promise.
How will this building project affect our general budget and outreach giving?
Statistics show that churches experience an increase in annual and other giving in the years following a capital building project. This is because Christian stewardship is a virtue that continues to grow once people begin to practice it. Also, a building project stimulates growth in membership, which positively affects annual giving.
Nationally, only about 5% of Christians actually give 10% of their income. The average giving rate is 2%. Therefore, many people are not tithing at the 10% level with their gifts to the church. This building project gives all of us the opportunity to grow in our giving, regardless of our current giving level.
It is our desire that we do not forget our "missions" focus. We will maintain our duties as Christians to reach the world for Jesus Christ. This includes giving to missions, praying for the lost and going.
Giving Details
How long will the faith promise period be?
The faith promise period is three years following Commitment Sunday, October 31, 2010, through October 2013.
Can we designate gifts to a specific project?
Gifts to the Together We Build His Church initiative will all be placed into the building fund, and they will be utilized as directed by the Church Council. We feel that the Council have the best vantage point to use the funds as most needed by the church.
What if our proposed building plans cost too much money?
If sufficient funds are not raised to build to meet our ministry needs, we will approach building in phases.
What if we raise more money than is needed for the building project?
That will be a wonderful problem to have! If this occurs, the matter would go to the Church Council for a decision on how to handle excess funds. Remember, we still owe for the building we are currently in. Our goal is to raise enough funds for both the new building and to pay off the current building.
Other Funding Sources
Could we borrow to cover part or all of the expenses?
Depending on the amount raised by the Together We Build His House effort, we may also need to borrow funds...however, it is our desire to borrow nothing. Right now we want to focus on commitments through this building project to cover as much of the project's cost as possible. Even if we do borrow in the future, we will still have to raise funds to pay off the loan...that's why we don't want to borrow.
Isn't there a building fund that could fund some of this work?
Yes, we do have a building fund that people continue to contribute to. This fund helps pay for the current building we are in. We used some of this fund to begin our work with Siebenlist Architects.
Project Details
Why can't we just remodel/expand the current building we are in?
This option was explored when we went through the assessment phase. We learned that there will be major obstacles if we decide to remodel/expand the current building we are in. Some examples: the City of Fort Worth would require that every aspect of this building be brought up to code. There are some things that just would not be able to be done, such as the restrooms. We also need to enlarge our worship space and the current design of the space would not allow for much expansion. The cost for basic remodeling and adding 2,500 sq. feet to the current building would come to around $1.1 million.
Once the building project is completed, will there be an increase in annual operational (maintenance, insurance, etc.) costs? How much of an increase? Can we afford to pay for them?
Some improvements will introduce new maintenance costs, such as higher utility bills. However, we anticipate that increased church growth will lead to increased giving to our ministries.
What kind of sanctuary are we building and how many will it seat?
Our goal is to build a multi-purpose room which will serve various purposes such as: sanctuary, gym and fellowship hall. Our desire is to have a sanctuary that can seat up to 400 people.
What are we building? And what's the cost estimate?
Our current assessment has us building in various phases. It appears that there could be up to 3 phases for NLDF. Our priority is worship and classroom space. There are also spaces that we need such as: offices, fellowship hall, youth building and children's playground. All of that will be determined by the outcome of the Together We Build His House faith giving commitment.
Phase I - 7,000 to 9,500 sq. feet
Phase II - 5,000 to 8,000 sq. feet
Phase III - 2,500 to 5,500 sq. feet
Cost for Phase I - $900,000 to $1,500,000 - This is a rough estimate and more detailed information will be available at a later date.
When will this project start and how long will it take?
We are currently in the application phase with organizations that help build churches at low costs. When the project will start and how long it will take depends on some variables such as: the organization we qualify with if we do, and when they are available to begin building. The time table for completion would have to be determined by the builder.
Will the Church Council decide the project order?
The Church Council will determine the project order. However, additional feedback and input sessions (Town Hall Meetings) will also be held to gather the ideas of the congregation. Ultimately the Council will provide oversight for the overall project. There is a good chance the project will be done in sessions. The Council will determine what plan is recommended to the congregation for a vote.
*Understand that we welcome questions any time! The Town Hall Meetings are set up for those who would like to hear questions or reports from the Church Council pertaining to the Building Project.
How much confidence can we put in the budgeted costs?
The price estimates were obtained by an architect who toured the building and analyzed our needs. More precise estimates will be done as we get closer to building, but these preliminary estimates have given us some basic guidelines for developing our building project plan.
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What about specific building needs?
There will, of course, be a long "wish list" of what could be built. At this time, these plans are not solidified. It is hoped that we can satisfy many of the things on the "wish list."
Where will we build and how big can we build?
We plan to build on the 4 acre property next to the property where the current building is. We are allowed to build up to 22,000 square foot on that property, however, that's too big for us (that size meets the needs of 1,000 people). Our first phase would be up to 9,000 square foot.
What would be done with the current building we are in?
As soon as we move into the new building, we will begin focus on the old building. We have several options that we can consider. We can do the following: rent, lease, sell or tear down. Right now we want to focus on the new building project, then decide on the old building after we move into the new building.
Will the building be aesthetically pleasing? Who will design it?
There has been a lot of healthy, productive conversation around this topic. The general consensus from our church family is we'd like to build an aesthetically pleasing building that is pleasing to God. Most feel it should be nicer than a warehouse but not overly ornate like a cathedral. Beautiful while affordable is a common theme.
The Church Council along with the architects will design the new facility.
Do we have a picture of the new building?
We don't have one at this time, however, we are hoping to be able to have a picture ready to be revealed on Sunday October 24, 2010...a week before the Faith Commitment Giving.
Will there be more office space in the plan?
The Council and staff have indicated that building more office space could produce more efficiently used space that should be more than adequate for our church staff.
High attendance at our worship services is a good problem to have! However, research shows that if there is not sufficient space for people to move about or around freely in the church-house, visitors tend not to return. As the architects are designing possible building options, ample space has been considered a top priority.