News Archive
Sanctuary refurb proposal
Heaton Baptist Church
Building Project: Equipping our Church and Community for the Future
Over the summer three teams looked at :-
1) The new building fit out,
2) ICT and audio visual matters and
3) the sanctuary refurbishment.
The Sanctuary refurbishment group have presented us with a vision for the revitalisation of the sanctuary (leaflet September 08). The vision has been shared with the Church and there has been a period of seeking God's mind and will about the project. The aim of this paper is to review feedback from the Church. Feedback has been sought from the whole church and everyone has had opportunity for comment.
What is God Saying to us?
Original Project
Through the building project the church seeks to proclaim a unified message that Jesus' Church is a source of new life and a place of welcome. It is hoped the project will make a significant contribution to the spiritual and social wellbeing of our community.
Isaiah 54v2: "Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords,
strengthen your stakes.
Hosea 12v12: "Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unploughed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you."
A Church without walls
Autumn 2008 Words
1. Phil 1v 6: "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
2. Trust in God He will provide.
3. We need to trust God will provide for what he wants to do.
4. Maintain a bond of unity. Any decision made should not be divisive.
5. How does the project sit with what God is saying to us about our finances and caring for the poor and the needs of our community? It is important that we hold to the vision that God has given us for justice for the poor.
6. Micah 6 v 8: "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
7. How does the project fit with social justice and our use of money? God is speaking to us at the moment about social justice -how does the timing fit.
8. We should allow all to give of their skills and time.
9. We need to give of our best.
10. Ecclesiastes 3: "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven"
11. Luke 14 v28-30 "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'"
12. Malachi 3 v10: "'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,' says the LORD Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit. Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land.'"
13. God is into building projects and God is building up the people of HBC.
14. Exodus 36" vision of a beautiful temple.
15. The image of the building project is one of noise and excitement - this is ok but where is the image of the fruit of the spirit?
Words at Days of Prayer and Fasting
16. Romans 8 v28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,[j] who[k] have been called according to his purpose."
17. Remember the good God has done for us.
18. Matthew 7 v16-17: "No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse."
19. The new build and refurbishment will communicate our DNA.
20. II Samuel 23 v20: "Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, who performed great exploits. He struck down two of Moab's best men. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion." The snow represents the current economic climate and any lion/problem can be defeated.
21. Picture of a glowing bible
22. Worship is very important
23. Whatever happens, can we "do" the toilets?
24. Why do we need a temple? We are Christ's New Testament church. Jesus ended the temple system
25. Nehemiah's temple was not splendid and not covered in Gold.
26. Thanks giving brings about a relationship of release
27. God is changing our culture not our structure.
28. God wants us to pass on a baton for the next generation to run with.
Words in Services
29. A word to the 20s and 30s (future leadership): "Will you love my Church?"
30. We are in a season of faith building and confidence in the Holy Spirit.
31. We are living in the Father's house. It is His house and He will provide for His House. It is not for us to worry about providing for it. We should stay in the Father's House.
32. Do not be afraid, God has plans for our hope and future
Eldership
33. God is absolutely trustworthy.
34. We are in a season of growth in our faith and trust in God. With this project there is a sense of continuing to act in faith. Finding a situation where faith is not required is not a place we want to go.
35. Just like the people of Israel, God does not always take us on a straight path.
36. We need to maintain a bond of unity within the body of the Church. The Church is about people not about buildings. This does not mean going at the pace of the slowest or avoiding difficult situations.
37. Where God leads, He will provide the grace.
38. God is concerned that we lead with integrity, boldness and compassion. We should lead from the front, not be at the back.
39. The question is not if but when. Yes, but not now.
40. There are a series of blocks coming together. We need to work out our priorities for placing the blocks. We need to allow people to give of their time and talents
41. We sense that the Church is weary from the current project both physically and financially. This project is like asking a marathon runner to do another lap when he is at the finishing post. There are some in the Church who have the legs and fresh energy for the extra lap but others are weary and need rest.
42. There will be a sense of questioning why the sanctuary has not been refurbished when we go back into the building and a desire to 'do' something will quickly develop.
43. HBC in exile is a different Church - God is shaking our culture and making us more dependent on His Spirit.
44. There will be a release flowing out of worship and thanksgiving. We need to walk each day in the Spirit and model this as a leadership.
Discussions at Elders/Deacons meeting
1) What do we sense God is saying to us as a Church about the additional project?
2) How do we complete the existing building project?
- Very brief update
- Completion date
- Funding issues
3) Project Plan for moving back.
4) If/When do we consider the sanctuary refurbishment should happen?
5) Project Plan for Sanctuary:-
Project brief and inception
Project team
Project options
Project funding
6) Communication/dialogue with Church.
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RESPONSE OF THE ELDERS AND DEACONS AT HBC TO THE DOCUMENT
“Building Project: equipping our Church and Community for the future”
At an Elders and Deacons meeting held on 20th November 2008 we had a detailed conversation expressly looking at what God might be saying to HBC about the Sanctuary Refurbishment.
Unable to be present:- Matt Dunn
SUMMARY OF KEY ISSUES/AREAS IDENTIFIED BY EACH LEADER:-
What do we believe God is saying?
Karen Richardson: A Faith Opportunity – Love & Unity – Do not be afraid - May not happen as we expect – Step by Step - Matt 5:14-16 about City on a hill and lights.
Jeremy Wood: Balance of Old and New Covenants (temple) - Faith with Reason – Timing & Finance.
Jenny Steiner: Do not Fear – Maintain Unity - He is walking with us on our journey.
Phil Lightbody: Phasing the project – Faith - Prioritise into Short, Medium & Long term goals.
Mark Elder: Season of Growth in Faith and Trust - We do not want to go to a place where Faith is not needed - Church weariness – Need for rest.
Chris Stephens: Unity important – Right Timing important – Excellence.
Simon Nichols: Give God the opportunity – Allow Him to bless us - Unity important – Welcome important.
Ed Foster: Change in our culture & faith – Unity important - He is moving us forwards & building us up - Building blocks need organising.
Robin Hudson: Consolidate – Faith – Don’t exasperate church members - Leadership – Unity important – Phasing the project.
Mike Davies: Leadership from the front (not rear) – Right timing/ phasing - Unity important – God will provide – Raising money?
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Twenty-six frequently asked questions (FAQ's) emerging out of present discussions about the sanctuary refurbishment at Heaton Baptist Church
The following FAQ's have arisen, either in written or anecdotal form, and Mark has tried to answer them. These are his views, though he has shared them with the Elders and Deacons. For reference, the sanctuary refurbishment is denoted "SR", and the building project is "BP".
a) Building Project, Fixtures and Fittings and Audio-Visual:
1. Won't the SR detract or confuse people as we seek to finish the building project?
Well, apologies if there has ever been mixed messages here, but no-one, at anytime, has suggested that it is not our intention to complete the BP.
2. So, what about fixtures and fittings for the BP?
We've agreed that we will do that, for which we'll need a further £65k.
3. Anything else we've already agreed to complete?
Well, my understanding is that we'd like to kit out the sanctuary with ava (audio/visual/lights). This desperately needs doing and present estimates are in the region of £37k
4. Just to clarify, what work to the sanctuary is already factored in to the BP?.
Well a conversation with the BP overseeing team (Jeremy, Matt and Roger) would answer this. My understanding is that we have monies in the BP to make good the dividing wall, and re-establish a new 'staging' area.
b) Sanctuary Refurbishment: Timing and Previous Decisions
5. Why has the SR come onto the church's agenda now?
Good question. But to ignore the sanctuary would have been a short-sighted and irresponsible thing to do, hence the reason why the leaders asked the SR team to do the feasibility work.
6. Well, why didn't HBC commission a SR team a year ago?
Another good point. I guess the answer is that we were so busy preparing for the BP that it got overlooked. Of course, my hunch is that a good number of HBC folk who might have been resistant 12 months ago are more open now. And we can't turn the clock back.
7. Did we not agree many months ago to leave the sanctuary and concentrate on the 'halls'?
Yep we did, although I don't believe this was ever taken to the church meeting. But I'll put my neck on the block here and say that my view is that that decision, whilst well intentioned, is something we should look at again. The landscape of HBC, the make-up of the church, and certainly our levels of faith, have changed considerably in recent times.
8. But the reason that decision was made was because the 'halls' are for the community, but the sanctuary is for us. Isn't it a bit self-indulgent?
No, because all of our buildings reflect our values and vision. The sanctuary isn't the 'us' bit, with the 'halls' being for the community. If other similar projects (like Trinity Gosforth) are anything to go off, I believe the sanctuary will be used by the community as much as the halls. And of course, this will all bring in a considerable source of income.
c) Weariness
9. Why don't we just get back in then think about the sanctuary?
I understand that people are tired and there's a cost to pay, but to ignore the SR would, in my view, be more short-sighted and costly. Just imagine moving in to a nice new building, then walking through a door into a 'tired' and dated sanctuary.
10. But you can't expect those who've worked so hard on the BP team to be expected to now move on to the SR
No. We recognise and honour the expertise and time the building team have put in, and will do so until completion. So, what we'll need to do is appoint a new team to drive the SR forward.
d) Should we be giving the money elsewhere?
11. Giving more money to buildings is not right
I understand this. And £1.2 million is a lot of money plus another £500k for the SR. But I think its money well-spent because: a) the whole building needs completing so that it fits who we are as a church today; and b) ultimately, it is money that is being spent on ministry and mission. We're not creating a white elephant here. This is a centre of excellence for the kingdom, strategically placed in the heart of a community that God has called us to.
12. I would still rather spend the £500k on mission or the poor
But you're making an assumption that we could raise 500k to give away. Listen, I'm passionate about giving away to missions too. Don't forget we tithed our initial BP money. In 07/08 we gave away 16.75% of our income directly to missions. If you add the associate ministers job, which is primarily 'outreach', that raises it to over 30%. Then there's special offerings. Then there's the tons of 'giving' of a non-financial sort that goes on around HBC. So we're not saying give to the SR at the expense of mission and the poor. That won't decrease, in fact, at the next ACM, we'll see how it's risen.
13. OK, until we know what the new building is going to be used for, we certainly shouldn't spend more on the sanctuary. What is our vision?
I understand this argument, and take responsibility if there's confusion about HBC's vision. Actually, the answer about our vision, if you mean by that some sort of guideline which frames what we'll do in the future, is a work in progress. What I can say is that key ministries of the church will continue, and hopefully develop, such as toddlers, hiz kidz, heaton helps, and the work with asylum seekers. What I'm excited about is that we can develop the above, and look at new areas of input into the community and city. There are loads of ideas in the pipeline that need careful prayer and reflection, so watch this space. In a nutshell, I believe the SR will precipitate more community and city engagement rather than take resources away from it.
e) Who makes the decisions in this Church?
14. OK, a question about decision making. Isn't this whole thing about the SR a done deal. Is anybody really listening to the wider church?
I would respond to that in two ways:
i) I know that there were some expecting open debate at the last church meeting but I wanted to lay out the process for this 'seeking God' season. I can assure you that loads of dialogue and prayer has gone on around the church about the SR (casual conversations, lifegroups, prayer forums etc), which is fine, and certainly, as you'd expect, there has been reflection at Elders and deacons level. What I can say is that no decisions will be made without church meeting approval. Of course, the flip side of the membership being able to decide should mean that we all ensure that our individual contribution is prayerfully and carefully reflected upon before we offer it. Congregational government is not primarily about opinion sharing, it's about discerning the mind of Christ. Which brings me to,
ii) I expressly asked all members and regular attendees to seek the Lord about the SR and then feedback to the leadership. The Elders, then the Elders and Deacons are meeting to look at this. The process then cascades to the church who will meet together and reflect on this, discern what it all might mean, and then make a decision. So, in summary, I believe that, whilst this process has been quicker than most processes making decisions of this magnitude (and probably a new departure, in terms of HBC's culture), it is certainly not a done deal, in fact I believe it has been open and inclusive.
f) Money issues - fundraising, selling assets, impact on general giving
15. Let's get to the real nitty gritty. This is all well and good, but honestly, where are we going to get another £500k from?
With respect, I believe that is the wrong question. The right question is "What is God saying?" I believe that where the finger of God points, the hand of God provides. So whilst money questions are important, revelation and discernment should precede them.
16. But the church has already raised £1.2m. It's just irresponsible?
And I'm proud of the fact we've raised £1.2m. It's awesome. But, and believe me, I've pondered hard and long on this, I actually believe it to be more irresponsible to ignore an opportunity here if we believe that God is speaking. I keep coming back to it, but hearing the voice of God is the key here.
17. We're in a credit crunch, for goodness sake.
I know. I do understand, because I have financial commitments too. And I worry about that. I know people have financial commitments. Mine have just increased substantially because Aaron has just gone off to uni and it costs a fortune. But God's kingdom works on a different economic basis...His ways aren't our ways.
18. But faith and sacrifice has got us to £1.2m. You're just moving the finishing line further back.
And that is hard. But put it this way. If God is saying do it, and we don't, we will be robbing HBC of another adventure of faith. Imagine what a surge of faith we'd all feel every time we walked in through the door and saw not just a new building, but a wonderful new sanctuary space.
19. So, where do we get the money from?
Well, if we believe God is speaking, we look at every conceivable way of working together to find it. I think, if folk know God's up to something, that makes all the difference.
20. Won't this impact upon the giving to the general fund?
Well, we're not asking people to give to the SR (or previously, to the BP), who aren't giving to the general fund. We would never advocate giving to the Rr at the expense of the general fund. I know that there are concerns about this, but I believe that God is taking through a process that will activate even greater faith and dependence on Him.
21. And the flat?
It could make sense to sell the flat. We also have other assets. I think we need to pray for strategy, once we're clear about the overall direction.
22. Could money given for the BP be 'transferred' to the SR?.
I suspect not. Certainly, we would need church meeting approval before anything like that could even be considered.
23. Any chance of external funding for the SR?
Well, it's not impossible, but improbable. We would need a fundraising arm to any new team we might launch to look at this as well as all other potential funding areas.
g) Extravagant?
24. Isn't the SR a bit extravagant. All this talk of chandeliers and glass-fronted balconies ...
Not really. Most of the work - heating, rewiring, toilets, décor etc - desperately needs doing anyway and forms the bulk of the finance.
h) Phasing
25. Ok, so if we decide to do something on the SR, could it not be phased?
Yes, I'm sure that could be an option. If we believe that God is speaking about the SR, then we need to look at a range of ways in which we could complete the task. Certainly, given the time constraints, phasing the project may make a lot of sense. Then we will have to ask the SR team to look at a 'phased' project.
i) Unity
26. Final question. How do we preserve the unity of the church through a process like this where people have strong views?
Well as a church, we recently adopted the B12. Four of these are especially helpful at the moment, namely 'grace,' 'unity and diversity', 'dependence', and 'excellence'. We are all seeking what is right before God, and it is incumbent on us all to pursue a unified, open, and gracious approach. Remember, there are no winners and losers here.