On Sundays June 21 & 28, Pastor Terry updated the people of Whyte Ridge Baptist on the status of the church’s building plans. The following is a summary of what was shared in those services. To hear Terry’s full report, go here: Ministry Reports – Building Updates June 21 & 28.
by Pastor Terry Janke
Sunday June 21, 2015
I was asked by the Board to share a brief synopsis of the congregational meeting last Sunday evening (June 14, 2015) and some reflections on how the Lord seems to be directing us. We were delighted to see a good attendance and participation in discussion. We prayed about various aspects of the ministry of WRBC, especially the Feasibility Study on the building project.
We took some time to give thanks for all that the Lord has done (cf. Ephesians. 1:16). And we do have much to thank God for. Though it may seem like building plans are moving painfully slow, there is very important ‘body-building’ going on in our Church. We also know much more now about moving forward than we did 6 months ago. In the process we see the Lord maturing us.
Feasibility Study Report
The Feasibility Study Report, which the Board made available a few weeks ago, clarifies many positive features of our ministry. Phil Yntema, from the NAB Foundation, based his conclusions on having interviewed 49 units in our church family. If you have not picked up a copy and read his three-page report, I encourage you to do so. It is quite informative and is available at the information center. It reveals a strong affirmation of the unity in our church, the leadership, and the mission and vision of the church. There is a growing sense of community and a near universal support to move ahead in God’s timing with the building project.
Interestingly enough, the top concern people voiced was the need for a Youth Pastor. Along with that came the concern of how we could move ahead in ministry to youth and take on a capital project at the same time. There were other areas of concern as well; how to assimilate new people into the fellowship, how to grow in evangelism, how the governance model is working, etc.
In the end, the report encouraged a re-envisioning of the project. The reason – the amount of money needed for the building in the case statement was not likely to be attained. So, on Sunday, June 14, various alternatives were presented to the congregation. This included everything from down-sizing the building to adjusting the design and materials.
The suggestion was even made to consider re-zoning two-and-a-half acres of the McGillivray property and sell it to generate more revenue. The Board wants the Church to be aware that none of this will take place without a conversation with Fort Whyte and LaFarge. The original agreement, signed when purchasing property, stated it would be ‘for church use only.’ There is no intention of dishonouring the agreement if these two parties are not in favour.
Next Steps
In the mean time, there are various steps to be taken.
First is a meeting with the city planning department. The city will be appropriating 100 feet of land (2.3 acres) for the expansion of McGillivray. However, until that happens, we have to pay taxes on the land. We are asking the city to purchase the 2.3 acres now and relieve us of the ongoing taxes. The other reason for meeting with the planning department is to again ask for our tax bill on the property to be reassessed and also request a note about the lower assessment be attached to our file for future years.
Secondly, work is being done to clarify our borrowing capacity for the project.
Thirdly, a decision was made to fix up the various issues that our current building has: window repairs, an air-conditioning unit, etc. The congregation approved up to $100,000 for the repairs. The rationale is for the re-sale value as well as our stewardship in using the building for ministry over the next couple years.
Discerning God’s Will
What concerns the Board and Staff is how we are interpreting the events and circumstances of these past months. We have been praying the Lord would shine His light upon our path and show us His will. We have been asking Him to direct this ministry. Now we have to pause, stand back, and ask God why we are where we are in the process. When Tim Hague led in the final prayer of the night, he reminded us to ‘Breathe. God is in control.’
So what has God been up to? This is a question Don Cousins, author of the book LeaderShift, poses at every one of his staff meetings. Where is God at work? I don’t think for a moment that the timing of Don’s visit the day after Phil Yntema completed the Feasibility Study was coincidental. Don’s teaching was a reminder that the kind of ministry Christ wants for His church is an equipping ministry of building up His people. Buildings can serve this purpose, but only in God’s timing and under His leading.
In answer to our prayers over the past 6 months, I think the Lord is showing us how to move ahead in ministry. To move ahead while we are yet in this building and until such a time when He will lead us to another and provide the resources for it through His people.
Friends, we must have the mindset of being in a building program – but the building is US. It says in 1 Peter 2:5 – ‘like living stones we are being built into a spiritual house.’ God is building us up as His people because it is not programs and facilities that reach people for Christ. People reach people for Christ! I hope no one feels discouraged. We believe the Lord is leading us. Christ is building His church and we should watch and pray with anticipation at how the next couple years unfold. I need to remind myself that the Lord is as interested in the process (journey) as He is in the product (destination).
In Isaiah 42:16 we read…
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.
When I was pastor at First Baptist Church, Thunder Bay, ON, I would meet every so often with Rev. John Harvey, a retired pastor. I felt safe to share my frustrations with him since he was older and wiser than I, much like I now have Pastor Alf to walk with me. We enjoyed some hallowed times of prayer together, and invariably, before I left, he would quote to me Hebrews 10:36 in the KJV – For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. May the Lord grant us this same patience and perseverance to stand under that which He has placed on us until He lifts it and answers our prayer. Let’s continue to watch and pray.
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Like last Sunday, the Board asked me to update the Church about the meeting with the city planning department this past Tuesday. There were three matters addressed:
- On the first matter concerning the city’s plan to twin McGillivray Blvd. and purchase the 2.3 acres of land, the answer was ‘No, not in the next five years.’
- On the second matter of the annual increase in assessment and taxes, they said they will look into putting it on file so we don’t have to re-apply for a reduction each year.
- On the matter of possibly re-zoning 2.5 acres for sale, there was openness to look at it. However they would only do with the understanding that prior conversation and approval would need to be with both Fort Whyte and LaFarge. So, thank you for your prayer.
Researching Our Options
With each step we know a little more about our options. Yesterday (June 28) representatives from the Board sat with the chairs of the Building Committee and the Capital Funds Committee, as well as a representative of the prayer team. The goal is to continue such meetings so the leadership of our church works collaboratively to set real options before you as a Church family about how and when to proceed with a new facility.
This is largely in response to the Feasibility Study Report the NAB Foundation did among us the first weekend in May. Phil Yntema’s first two recommendations read as follows:
- Since there was overwhelming support for relocating the church, I recommend that leadership continue the process.
- I further recommend that leadership re-envision the project. If our assumptions are correct, we have over $8 million available with the land already paid for. Other alternatives should also be researched.
Essentially we are in the research mode so that we can set some options before the Church. Options that are economically feasible and live within our means. We do not want to be debt or ministry poor as we move ahead in becoming an equipping church. You will be receiving more information from the Board on this in few weeks. Please continue to be in prayer as these mid-course corrections get worked out.
Once again, let me re-iterate we are praying the Lord will shine His light upon our path and show us His will. Ministry continues on – evidenced by the Bolivia and Garden Hill Mission Teams commissioned on Sunday, June 28. We are asking God to direct us. Now we have to stand back and ponder what He is up to.
Until then, we praise God…
- for the appointment of a Pastor of Student Ministries in Kevin Schular.
- for a growing focus on being an equipping Church.
- for partnerships in ministry.
In this season of time, God is growing the size of our hearts, the depth of our relationships, and the endurance of our faith in Him. He is maturing us in prayer, in service. and in gospel witness.
