By Brad King , Chairman, Leadership Board

This month I thought I would write briefly about some of the topics being discussed and decisions made by the Leadership Board in the first part of this year.

Calvary’s Facilities and Future

In the April Courier, Pastor Todd and I introduced what we believe are key initiatives for Calvary in 2007.  In Charting A Higher Course, we heard of the body’s desire for growth.  We formed a facilities task force to study our ability to grow on our present site and their report indicated that our growth is restricted by the lack of available parking and the limited seating capacity of the Worship Center.  Last fall, we expanded the parking lot, adding more parking at the northeast corner of our property.  This spring, the gravel base will be covered with a layer of asphalt.

To address facility needs, we recommend remodeling key areas inside our building.  Much of this work would be concentrated on the Worship Center and welcome area.  We believe this project is affordable and will extend the useful life of our facility, making it a warm and welcoming environment for all.  Looking long range, Pastor Todd has led us in a discussion that envisions in broad strokes Calvary’s future into the year 2020.

Capital Campaign

The proposed remodeling could cost $300,000 to $500,000.  Our long term debt is currently about $1.7million.  If we add to that the cost of remodeling, we would owe $2.2 million.  At the upcoming congregational meeting on May 6, we will discuss a capital campaign to retire our debt and build capital for future needs.  An additional benefit of eliminating our debt is that it will free up funds in our budget to be used for other ministry needs.

New Part-time Staff Position

We live in the information age, and in the last year our website has become vital to how we communicate within the body and to our community.  As we became aware that it takes an average of 20 hours a week to provide technical support for our website and computer network at church, we compared ourselves with other evangelical churches in the area and found that whenever they had a dynamic website like ours, they also had paid staff to maintain it.

At the April 22 congregational meeting, we proposed the addition of a new part-time position - Information Technology Coordinator.  The Board has recommended hiring Gail Peterson, who developed our website and currently provides technical support to the staff, to continue in that role but in a paid, part-time position.  The position is for 10 hours a week focusing on the most technical aspects of our communication needs.

Discipleship and Leadership Development

For some time, the Board and Pastoral Staff have wrestled with how we can be more intentional in helping people grow in their relationship with the Lord.  Our desire is that each of us is comfortable in sharing our faith, that we discover our gifts, and use them by serving in the church and in the community.  Pastor Todd, Pastor Larry, and Pastor Dave G. have been collaborating on these topics and soon will be communicating to us clear paths of discipleship along with opportunities for leadership development.

God is doing great things in and through Calvary and we believe that He has greater things in store.  Along with Pastor Todd, the Board encourages you to pray for Calvary and her future.  Pray that God will direct and bless us as we seek His will and live for His glory.