Kick-Off Building Committee Meeting – June 14, 2004

Opening Devotion: YOU WANT ME TO BUILD WHAT ???

Narrative: Who in the bible was challenged with a building project that seemed impossible? That would be Noah! It had never rained on the earth, yet Noah was given a vision to construct a waterproof building that would float, and was gigantic. The goal of his vision was to maintain a remnant of everything on the earth so God could establish a new covenant with man. What a wonderful example of faith. We can’t doubt the vision and direction our church agrees on to pursue. No matter how large the vision may seem, we need to break it down into manageable pieces, plan on how we are going to accomplish it, execute the plan, and have faith.

God gave Noah a mission statement. He was told to complete this building as quickly as possible. The mission included saving himself, his family, and a token of every living creature on the earth from a flood that was coming. There was an outline for him to follow as to who and what was to be included as occupants of the building he was to build. He very clearly had a direction to accomplish his vision. It was also established who would help him in working to accomplish the vision and the roles they would play. There was apparently unity within the group concerning the vision and the missionstatement.

There were programs that were established to realize the vision. Noah received very specific planning for building the Ark that would be a tool to carry out the programs he had established to support the mission statement that would lead to reaching the goal. Plans included space requirements, size of the building, needed materials and accessibility. Plans had to be tailored to meet the needs of those that were going to be using it.

Once the plans were complete, execution began. Materials were gathered and building began according to the plan. Once they finished the building, it’s purpose was fulfilled.

So, was Noah’s building program successful? Yes, and there was unity after the Ark was finished. They realized the goal of the vision they started with. Although this was a very demanding job, Noah would probably tell us today that he could not have completed this project without help from God. We too need listen to God’s voice, remain prayerful, and be diligent to our tasks. We too will then be successful.

Scripture: “Unless the LORD builds the house, its’ builders labor in vain.” Psalm 127 v1

Vision / Mission Statement

Vision Statement: Realize and Share God’s Love through expanded ministry and facility.

Mission Statement: To support and expand the current and future ministries of the Denville Community Church by developing, finalizing and with congregational approval executing building plans with specific focus on:

  • Christian Education
  • Nursery School
  • Youth, Recreation, and Ministry Administration
  • Community Thrift Shop

Defining the Building Committee Structure and Roles

  • Building Committee Chairperson (Douglas Gabel)
  • Facilitates Building Committee Meetings (advance / post meeting activities)
  • Pastoral Liaison
  • DCC, UM Liaison with Conference Land and Building Conference Committee
  • Identify and staff additional subcommittees as needed
  • Manage overall time line of activities and Master Plan
  • Attends Church Conference Meeting to report progress
  • Building Committee Administrator (Jean Nightingale)
  • Records and publishes notes at all Building Committee meetings
  • Sends out meeting notices and coordinates with Church Office
  • Facilitates correspondence with partnering parties (Attorney, Conference, etc…)
  • Maintains a Building Committee binders of all meeting minutes, correspondence, etc..
  • Receives and Consolidates Chairpersons’ Reports (prior to all meetings) for Building Committee Meetings
  • Build a History of building experience to be used for celebration/publication purposes
  • Finance Committee Liaisons (co-chairs Glenn Buchanan / Neil Kiley)
  • Attends all Building Finance Committee meetings
  • Plays key role in Capital Campaign Drive (if necessary)
  • Develop project plan and timeline
  • Organize and facilitate Grant Writing opportunities w/volunteers
  • Facilitate the payment / accounting of all Building Process expenditures
  • Reports at each Building Committee meeting
  • Architect Key Contact (Frank Leone)
  • Provides primary contact for all dialog with Architect
  • Facilitate Request For Proposals (RFP’s) for project estimation
  • Reports at each Building Committee meeting
  • Educational Space Chairpersons (co-chairs Jean Nightingale/Sandie Sebastian)
  • Survey and document needs with Christian Education staff
  • Survey and document needs of Nursery School staff
  • Investigate / Visit other churches to review facilities
  • Reports at each Building Committee meeting
  • Social/Recreational Space Chairperson (Ira Clemens)
  • Survey and document needs from all internal and external groups
  • Investigate / Visit other churches to review facilities
  • Reports at each Building Committee meeting
  • Office Space Chairperson (Neil Kiley)
  • Survey and document needs from all office and volunteer staff
  • Investigate / Visit other churches to review facilities
  • Reports at each Building Committee meeting
  • Community Use Chairperson (Rich Yobs)
  • Partner with Social/Recreational Space Chairperson
  • Survey and document needs from all internal and external groups
  • Investigate / Visit other churches to review facilities
  • Reports at each Building Committee meeting
  • Space Reallocation Chairperson (Ira Clemens)
  • Partner with Architect Key Contact
  • Provide linkage between Architect Key Contact and Educational Space / Social/Recreational Space / Office Space / Community Use Chairpersons
  • Reports at each Building Committee meeting
  • Site/Property Chairperson(Frank Leone)
  • Partner with Architect Key Contact
  • Facilitate Request For Proposals (RFP’s) for project estimation
  • Work with Design Engineers to understand completed DRAFT Site Plan, Survey and Drainage Plan
  • Lead efforts regarding landscaping, lighting, parking, lining, safety
  • Reports at each Building Committee meeting
  • Thrift Shop Chairperson (Arnold Card)
  • Survey and document needs from contributing groups
  • Investigate / Visit other Thrift Shops to review facility needs/possibilities
  • Partner with Architect Key Contact on Thrift Shop requirements
  • Facilitate Request For Proposals (RFP’s) for project estimation
  • Develop project plan and timeline
  • Reports at each Building Committee meeting
  • Glad Tidings Communication Writer (Pastoral Staff / Building Comm. Chair)
  • Collaborates with Building Committee Chairperson on current topics
  • Facilitate publicity and promotions on behalf of the Building Committee
  • Communicate with local newspapers on achieved milestones
  • Writes Glad Tidings articles and submit to church office (10th of prior month)
  • Denville Township/Planning Board/Board of Adjustment Liaison (Bob Anderson)
  • Establish relationship with Church Attorney
  • Establish relationship with Planning Board President
  • Establish relationship with Mayor
  • Establish relationship with Township Engineer
  • Lead with Architect Key Contact Planning Board/BOA (if necessary) Process
  • Reports at each Building Committee meeting
  • Documents Management Chairperson (TBA)
  • Organize and manage all Building Committee documents including Site Plans, Surveys, Architectural drawings, models, etc..
  • Reports at each Building Committee meeting

Later Committees

  • Furnishings
  • Wish List Management
  • Technology / Audio / Video Utilization
  • Volunteer Enablement
  • Groundbreaking / Celebration
  • Others…

Discussion of Operating Process going-forward

  • Determine set date, time, frequency to meet
  • July – 2nd and 4th Monday nights 7:30pm to 9:00pm
  • August thru December 1st and 3rd Monday nights 7:30pm to 9:00pm
  • As decisions need to be made the Building Committee will document them using a recommendation form and the Building Committee Chairperson will present them for consideration to the Church Council.
  • All Chairpersons, Liaison’s, and Key Contacts will publish a written report 3 days prior to a regularly scheduled Building Committee meeting. (Forms to be developed and shared)
  • Chairpersons, Liaison’s, and Key Contacts will present reports during the regularly scheduled Building Committee meetings or if unavailable the Recording Secretary will make the report on his/her behalf
  • Attendance at meetings will be vital to our success
  • Prayer is necessary for success.
  • Determine Phasing (all at once?, Garage/Thrift Store – 1?, Education/Rec/Office – 2?)
  • Engage Rev. Mike McKay as mentor
  • Communicate full engagement with Church Finance Committee
  • Consider web site for sharing / posting information

Pastors Challenge: “A new church building or addition does not cause growth; it merely permits growth.” comments Davis Byrd. He also states “ The purpose of a church is not a church building but church building.”

  • Pastors will need to be proactively thinking about how “new” space can facilitate God’s vision
  • Facilitate prayer teams to guide all the efforts around building process

Time Line – Draft (to be developed)