Building Project

The New Year is upon us and so it seems appropriate to review where we have come from and what we have to look forward to in 2006. In June of 2004 we announced our intent to build a new children’s facility and called on the congregation to give to support the work. By late August 2005 the first phase of giving was completed when we reached $1,000,000 in contributions to the Building Fund. This giving was in addition to regular, missions, benevolent, and other special contributions. What a wonderful response, especially in light of the fact that, as yet, nothing observable is happening with the new building. But this will change soon enough. Later this spring the heavy equipment will begin to roll and the fun will begin. The two-story portion of the Main Street Auditorium will be razed and rebuilt as a larger, modern facility of approximately 35,000 square feet. This structure will become the new Children’s Building and will include a new kitchen and other support facilities used by the larger church for special events and gatherings. Once the new building is able to be occupied the present Children’s Building adjoining Main Street will be demolished, opening us up to be seen by our neighbors for the first time ever and leaving us with a net gain of over 30 parking places. While construction is going on we will all have the opportunity to grow in grace as we learn to share parking space with heavy equipment, building supplies and piles of rubble. We will all have to accommodate the disruption of classes and activities which normally take place in the MSA. Every area of the church will be stretched to accommodate the upheaval of this time. But the noise of construction must not distract us from our central calling to make disciples for Christ. As has been said from the beginning, the mission of the Building Ministry is to build the body of Christ, not just a structure of bricks and mortar. Every member and regular attender at Calvary can and should be engaged in this work. Here is what you should plan to do in 2006:

1. Plan to be regular and faithful in church attendance. If you are not a member seriously consider becoming one. If you are a member with regular Sunday conflicts which keep you from church, reschedule or cancel them. You must ignore the siren call of the many “important” things which seemingly can only be done on Sunday and Wednesday and which keep you from the assembly of the righteous and service to it.
2. Plan to be regular in your personal discipleship and time in Bible study. Find a permanent time and put it on your calendar. It should be as sacrosanct as your workout time, trip to the beauty parlor or favorite TV show.
3. Plan to serve and give as God has blessed you and is prompting you. Make a commitment in some area and then be faithful to it. Plan your giving and then follow through with it.
4. Plan for challenges to the above plans. The last thing the enemy of your soul wants is for you to actually do something with your good intentions. There will be no shortage of excuses to opt out if you seek one.
5. Plan for God’s blessing in both times of peace and struggle. 2006 promises to be a great year for both as God continues to use us in His work. We want to be dedicated instruments in His hands. Please be faithful to continue to give to the Building Fund.