| Q1: |
Why don’t we give more money to
missions instead of going into a building program? |
| A1: |
Of all of the funds that come into FBC
through offerings, approximately 30% goes to missions.
This does not account for the offerings that FBC members send directly
to missions rather than sending through FBC. Now it is time to expand
FBC’s mission in Edmond OK. By increasing the ministry
here and serving more people that come to FBC, we will
also give more to missions both locally and abroad. The idea of
“why not more money to missions” is a question that could be asked
concerning every expenditure, both personally and corporately. While not
dismissing the question, we believe that expanding our current facility
will continue to increase our base and will allow even greater funds to
be directed to missions in the future. |
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| Q2: |
Why aren’t we going to build the family
life center first before the sanctuary? |
| A2: |
On Nov 13, 2004 the Elders, Staff,
and Building Committee met together for half a day to pray and plan the
way forward.
- When the meeting began there were differing opinions
on what next steps should be.
- After the praying and planning, we left the
meeting in unity that our first step would be focused
toward the new sanctuary and early childhood areas.
- Nothing has occurred that would cause us to
change that, but the Lord could and we
fully recognize that.
- Also, studies of church building projects show that building a
new sanctuary brings in more new members (and increased
offerings) than a family life center. There can be and are competing
arguments about which causes growth (almost a chicken or egg
discussion), but at this time we believe the ministry of FBC is best
served by constructing a new sanctuary first…God could redirect,
too.
- Therefore, by building a new sanctuary and early childhood
facilities first, we could begin work more quickly
on the family life center.
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| Q3: |
Why are we building a sanctuary first
(at high cost) and not a family life center, especially when a
sanctuary is used only once a week? |
| A3: |
Let’s consider the following:
- First, see A2.
- Second, we need to remember the focus of FBC: To be a
distinct ministry in Edmond OK in which the focus is on an
expository and consistent teaching of God’s word.
- Third, the sanctuary and the classrooms are the
cornerstone and foundation, respectively, of this
vision – other ministries are an outgrowth of the
application of this vision.
- Fourth, the sanctuary can, and most likely will,
have more than one use as it does even today, for
conferences, Bible studies and other meetings.
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| Q4: |
Why are we going to have a sanctuary
and a chapel? |
| A4: |
Having a chapel (where the current
sanctuary is located) is a possibility, but not a certainty. With
the design still in progress, that could very well change. |
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| Q5: |
Why don’t we plant a church instead
of building more here? |
| A5: |
There are several reasons why the
Elders have not begun a move to plant a church.
- First, the Elders have discussed this to a great extent
on a frequent basis, and have never had a sense that it is
time to plant a church.
- Second, no one has stepped forward to volunteer to go
plant a church from FBC.
- Third, even if someone would volunteer, and even if FBC did
think it was time to plant a new church, the FBC Elders would have
to ensure that there were Elder-qualified leaders that would
be part of that church plant.
- The idea of a church plant and physical expansion of the current
FBC are not necessarily mutually exclusive, and as with any ministry
opportunity would be addressed if the leadership of FBC felt led to
pursue that opportunity.
- Lastly, there are financial issues to consider that FBC
would have to undertake as well.
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| Q6: |
Why don’t we buy a larger piece of
property and build there? |
| A6: |
First, the Elders spent several months
and considered numerous pieces of property with the thought of
possibly moving the church to another location.
- As a result, the Elders realized that cost would be, at a
minimum, 2½ to 3 times higher than adding on to present
facilities.
- Also, the Elders sensed that God had given FBC the 10 acres
on which it now sits and it should be fully developed before
moving elsewhere.
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| Q7: |
Do the costs that have been
presented at this point include all finishes (wall/floor
coverings, fixtures, sound system, technology in classrooms, furniture,
etc.)? |
| A7: |
Yes, but everyone should keep in
mind that the current costs, while they have a contingency built in, are
based on an incomplete design. We have a long way to go to ensure
we have a full design and costs that completely reflect the full
design. But the current cost estimate is based on good information and
analysis. |
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| Q8: |
Over what time frame will this
entire project take place? |
| A8: |
Once we begin the full design effort, the
entire project could take up to 1½ to 2 years. |
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| Q9: |
How do we pay for a project of this
magnitude? |
| A9: |
There are a few things to consider:
- First, the Elders will not move forward with a project
that will put FBC in financial jeopardy. Since we are not in
a hurry, we will only break ground when we know it is the Lord’s
time as we continue to seek His guidance and provision.
- Second, while we would prefer to pay cash for the entire
project, and that is certainly in God’s ability to allow us to do
so, if we do take a mortgage, we will minimize it to
ensure the impact will not damage FBC’s witness or ability to
support the local body and missions.
- The exact “how” of paying will be through the grace giving
of FBC’s members.
- Finally, remember that with each mortgage FBC has had in
the past, we have paid them off much earlier than they
were due.
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| Q10: |
If the Great Hall will be used for
banquets, where is the kitchen support going to be? |
| A10: |
The design is still in progress,
so we don’t have a definitive answer for this question yet. |
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| Q11: |
Will any of the current facilities be
remodeled in this project? |
| A11: |
Yes, but the exact remodeling
activities are yet to be determined as the design is still in
progress. |
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| Q12: |
How will we compensate for a lack of
outside space that is now used for playing football, volleyball,
etc. |
| A12: |
Eventually, there will be a family life
center to accommodate indoor games. We realize the lack of
indoor space is a significant issue, but we have to move through this
process as the leadership determines and funds allow. The lack of
significant indoor space is a reality that we will manage throughout
this process as we have done in the past with an eye to the future
building phases. |
