Vote on the WCI Motion
In specially called church conferences during each of the three worship services on July 1, Pastor Gregg called for a secret ballot vote by church members on the following motion made last month by the WCI to go forward with fund raising and construction this fall.
| “ |
After 15 months of study at the request of our Pastor, the Worship Center Initiative moves that the church authorize a complete renovation of the Worship Center at a cost of approximately $12 million. This construction will be funded through a short term construction loan which will be retired by a capital campaign seeking pledges given over and above the budget for three years. Included in the scope of the fund raising efforts will be renovations for the Preschool, Children’s and infrastructure needs of the main campus totaling $3 million, debt retirement (currently $4.6 million) and missions giving of 10% of the total raised (approximately $20 million). Projects will be undertaken only in the amount raised by the capital campaign.” |
|
| Of the ballots cast during the services, 91.3% were for approval. Church bylaws only require 51% for the motion to pass. While the full impact of this decision will be decided by the amount pledged this fall, it could result in major renovations involving the Worship Center, children’s and preschool spaces, mission churches and main campus infrastructure. By the end of the three year giving period, HFBC will have given 10% of the proceeds raised to mission churches and causes—and will be completely debt free. |
|
What is the Worship Center Initiative?
The Worship Center Initiative (WCI) is a group of seven members selected by Pastor Gregg and the Committee on Committees to review the needs of the Worship Center and to recommend actions to the church. The WCI includes two architects, two designers, an electrical contractor and representatives from all three worship services.
What has been done to date?
Requests for Proposals were sent to multiple architectural firms and general contractors to determine a project scope. From the returned RFPs, three architects and three general contractors were selected for live presentations. The WCI recommended to the Deacon Administrative Committee to retain Studio Red Architects and Tellepsen Construction to evaluate the needs of the worship center and present a proposal to bring the worship center up to current standards involving sound, lighting, screens, seating, staging, and carpet. Since October of 2006, the WCI has met with Studio Red at least monthly.
What are the primary Worship Center needs that are being addressed?
The original challenge to the architect was to provide an environment in which each participant can focus on worship through music and the spoken Word, unhindered by constraints of poor lighting, sound, seating, screens, etc. Very early in the process, a cost estimate for sound and lighting exceeded $5 million. In addition to these infrastructure issues, other perceived needs included the elimination of poor seating under the balcony, a redesign of the choir/orchestra area, the addition of a center aisle for weddings, a motorized curtain to partition sections of the platform, and a redesign of the baptistery. Drawings of the new design will be posted here later in June.
Will the seating capacity of the Worship Center increase?
Fire Code limits the seating to our current capacity of 3,335 theatre seats plus the choir and orchestra.
When will construction begin?
Following a successful capital fundraising campaign in the fall of 2007, construction could begin after Easter of 2008. A minimum of four months of unimpeded access to the Worship Center would be needed to complete the redesign.
Where will we worship during construction?
The CLC will be the primary venue for worship. Two-thousand new seats would be purchased; following construction, these seats would replace aging chairs in the Bible study rooms. A stage would be erected along the east wall of the CLC with sound, lights and screens. This would remain in place from April-August. During this time period, the CLC will be limited to one basketball court during the week, as the stage and chairs will take up one court when being stored. For overflow crowds during the Gathering, the Fellowship Center and Chapel would be used. The combined capacity of all three facilities is about the same as our current worship center.
Where will Bible studies that currently meet in and around the CLC take place during construction?
The Education Staff is currently studying alternatives. Provision for each Bible study will be made well in advance of construction.
|
