Your Questions
1. What is Following as God Directs?
Following as God Directs is a two-year giving program through which the following work will be accomplished:
- Our present children and student areas renovated and updated
- A new children’s worship/recreation building completed
- Two softball/soccer fields constructed
- Additional lanes added at our main entrance and for a short distance on Clayton Road to allow us to tie in to the scheduled DOT work and help alleviate our traffic challenges here at BBC
This giving program is structured to encourage each of us to grow in the grace of giving—without coercion or pressure. In this way, God can use us to meet pressing needs in our church, provide for more effective ministry to our members and allow a more comprehensive outreach into our community.
2. How much will this project cost?
We estimate the cost to be approximately $2.8 million.
3. Why are we doing this now when we do not have a Senior Pastor?
(As of August 24, 2008 Pastor Bruce has joined us and fully supports the Following as God Directs Campaign)
Growth in our preschool and children’s ministries has exceeded our projections (17% increase in preschool and 21.6% in children). We do not have space to accommodate our children. Small groups are meeting in adult classrooms, outside The Bookstore, outdoors when weather permits, and in stairwells. The children’s worship/recreation building will allow for joint children’s worship and provide for much needed additional classroom space, which will serve our current needs and also allow for some future growth.
The grading and drainage work for the ball fields will prepare the land for any future development that God may direct. By doing the site preparation now, we will use the land in the interim to enhance our Sports Outreach and other ministries. Leaders in our UPWARD program have reached an impasse in trying to rent fields for our soccer and softball programs. Our UPWARD Sports programs now minister to approximately 500 children and 400 families in our community. This is a truly amazing statistic in that we have no real facilities on campus for our programs.
The NCDOT has begun work at Exit 37, which will include the redesign of the I-26 exit ramps, construction of new bridges over Long Shoals Road and the French Broad River, and widening Long Shoals and a small part of Clayton Road. In order to reduce the cost of adding double left-hand turn lanes out of the church’s main entrance and adding lanes on Clayton Road to connect with the work the DOT is doing, we must move now to secure the funding for our part of the work.
4. What is the time frame for the project?
We estimate that the work will be completed over the next two years.
5. I thought we just renovated the student center. Why more?
We did a technology upgrade for the student center. Our goal is for the student worship area to be a place where students are excited to come and worship God. This renovation will create relational spaces, which will encourage students to come to BBC and build relationships with Christ and with their friends.
Also, during transition times, our current lobby configuration in the student area cannot facilitate the movement of people in and out. Additional lobby and breakout space for small groups is needed.
6. We have pool tables, ping-pong tables and shuffleboards. Why do we need more?
Those pieces of equipment are very large and only a few students can play at a time. We want to use more units in relational groupings so we can involve more students in the activities.
7. What exactly will be done in our preschool area?
PraiseLand! will receive a much-needed update in its design. The PraiseLand! Welcome Center, along with some interior areas, will be renovated with an “Under the Sea” theme. The next phase of our security plan will be implemented. We have already completed the addition of computerized check-in stations in both PraiseLand! and Masterpiece Kids hallway. Our next phase includes a paging system to allow for parental alerts if there is an emergency or a question concerning a child’s care.
8. How will this affect my child’s routine on Sundays and Wednesdays?
Families should see no difference in their child’s routine during the implementation of the redesign. When the work is completed and additional security measures are in place, families may need to allot extra time for the sign-in/sign-out process.
9. Why renovate/remodel the children’s hallways?
Our kids’ ministry areas must reflect that children are a priority at BBC. The new look will allow families and children to come face-to-face with God’s Word and ministry opportunities through technology and visual communication means. We desire to reach children for Jesus, while insuring that they are safe and loved while in our care. We will reach this goal through new security capabilities and increased classroom spaces.
10. Why are we not planning to use Biblical figures in the décor for the children’s areas?
The movie production theme is timeless and allows the kids’ ministry to engage in an area where all people are familiar. Easily updated, the light boxes and televisions in the hallways will be used to keep parents and children informed about what is going on in the world around them and in their own ministry. We will be able to incorporate Biblical lessons into the technology, which will keep these in the forefront of kids’ minds.
11. Do we really need to do the fields now since we are without a Pastor of Sports Outreach?
Our UPWARD sports programs are continuing to grow. The number of children enrolled for spring soccer is the most we have ever had.
Twenty parents have stepped into the gap temporarily to assist until God sends us our new Pastor of Sports Outreach.
12. What can I do?
You can begin now by praying to know and do God’s will concerning your financial commitment to this program. Spend time in prayer and meditation on God’s Word as you seek to discover His will. The amount He leads you to give will be the right amount. (2 Cor. 8:11-14)
13. What about my regular giving?
Your commitment to Following as God Directs should be an amount God leads you to give over and above your regular tithes and offerings. We must maintain our giving to the operating budget so that the day-to-day church operations and ministries will be unaffected.
14. How should I give?
First, on April 27, 2008 you may make a commitment to Following as God Directs for the two-year giving period, which begins on May 4. Your commitment may be given in weekly, monthly, quarterly or even annual amounts.
Second, on May 4, 2009 you may give a portion of your pledge in a one-time “First Fruits” gift. This cash offering is the amount you can give “up front” to help with the initial costs of our project. Involve your entire family in determining the amount of your “First Fruits” offering.
Thirdly, you may give a gift of assets. In addition to monetary gifts, you may give real estate, stocks, bonds, coins, gold, etc. For information and assistance regarding giving assets, please contact Wayne Clark at the church office at 828.687.1111 ext. 224.
15. How will I know how much to give?
Pray daily and allow God to open your heart and direct you about your commitment. Through prayer and personal assessment, you will know what to give.
16. Will my contribution be made public?
Absolutely not. Only the total amount of all the commitments received will be announced on “First Fruits” Sunday, May 4, 2008.
For more information, email Bobbie >>
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