Footsteps of Faith Vote

So we are finally at the moment of decision. After many months and even years of preparation, thousands of hours of volunteer time and more time spent with architechs and contractors, we have arrived at the point of decision. I hope that all of you are planning to be present on August 24th @ 12:30 as we assemble for a church conference to vote on the final plans and financial plan.

We have gathered a team of our own church volunteers to answer all of your questions. We will use the same format as the previous congregational meeting with all of the key players sitting in the front ready to answer whatever questions you might have.

The United Methodist Church Book of Discipline states that a member must be 18 or over to vote on any issue involving a contract. Also, absentee ballots are not permitted per the Board of Directors. Our District Superintendent, Laurie Haller, will be here to lead us through the process.

Last week our plan was presented for final approval before the Grand Rapids District Committee on Building and Location (whew...long title) which is a check and balance committee of our district to approve or stop projects that local churches try to do. Their main role is to assure that a church has thought through all the aspects of a building or relocation project. The committee repeatedly said that they have never seen a church so prepared even down to the most minute details as Cornerstone. They gave us unanimous approval.

Some of you have also asked about groundbreaking. We have not scheduled it because the congregation had not yet approved it. We didn't want to be presumptuous before the vote takes place. The contractors are anxious to begin knowing that winter is coming.

Also, any attempt at gathering people for a groundbreaking ceremony on that site is going to be a challenge. There is no good way into the site for mass numbers of cars. We could bus people, but if it happens to be wet, the clay will stick to everyone's shoes and make reboarding almost impossible.

Some of you have also asked me about the giving for Footsteps of Faith - are we on track with what was pledged last year? The answer is that yes, we are exactly on track. We are a little over 30% of the way through the giving and that is exactly what has been given. Pledges are coming in at about 75% and new giving from unpledged or new people has made up about 25%. Our general ministry budget, however, has not grown this year. We are flat in giving in 2008 as over against 2007. This will have implications as we move into the fall and budgeting for next year. I hope it doesn't mean staff cutbacks, but we will be looking for ways to trim ministry fund spending.

Some of you may have missed Sunday, August 10, when we talked about the meaning of courage as it pertains to leadership. God has brought us to this place. Many of you have prayed and even fasted for many months over this project. If we move ahead, we do it together. Unity is very important. Thank you for your prayers, your unified voice, your generosity, and your continual faithfulness to the mission.

Pastor Brad