Construction at last!
OK, I have to admit this up front, when it comes to heavy equipment, I’m more “guy” than “pastor!” I am absolutely thrilled to watch the big I-beams being placed under the houses in preparation for moving them, and I definitely will be watching when they start to roll!
So I’m prejudiced, naturally inclined to be excited about getting our building project underway at last. I admit it!
But I’m hoping that those of you who really don’t get turned on by the process of construction will join me in being really glad to see things finally really moving forward. I hope this because we’re really going to need a good attitude over this next year!
It’s great that five years of planning and hard work are now coming together to make our new CDC a reality, but, let’s face it, there’s a downside. Construction will directly affect about 70% of our property, and will affect 100% of our members and workers lives.
First, our routines are all disrupted. Parents are dropping their children off in a different building. Traffic patterns are completely disrupted. Playgrounds are being moved. Items are being stored off-site or disposed of.
Second, money is tight. Although Trinity members have been phenomenally generous, donating more than half a million dollars cash already for the project, there’s been a slight dip (more than 5%) in our general fund giving this fiscal year. Even though we begged folks not to divert dollars to the project, I suspect that some of the “extra” giving that would normally have found its way into the offering plate is instead going to construction, leaving us about $40,000 short so far for our operating costs. So money is tight.
Third, we’re pouring a lot of personal energy into the project. Volunteers are putting in long hours. Staff are scurrying to meet new challenges every day. Yet our “normal” responsibilities haven’t slacked at all.
Finally, our teamwork is challenged by the fact that everyone has their own ideas about how to meet the new and often unexpected situations arising. There’s so much more opportunity for conflict.
But . . .
Think of what lies ahead! Trinity will soon have space to reach out to more than 100 new families with the love of Jesus. Our property, which was, frankly, less attractive than it should be even before construction, will soon be a bright spot in our neighborhood. Our campus will be tremendously more secure, with buildings replacing fences as our primary defense against intrusion. All of the downsides of construction are necessary steps in the right direction.
So I urge you to choose a good attitude toward our challenges. That’s right, choose! Situations are often not under our control, but we choose our responses to them. My goal is to choose to approach each day of this construction project with a smile, thinking about the joyful day of dedication that’s on its way soon.
Remember how the book of Hebrews tells us to “fix our eyes on Jesus,” just like he focused on “joy that was set before him?” We’re told that endured the cross and scorned its shame because he kept his eye on the prize. I see this as directly connected to our task here. If we are focused on Jesus, then we’ll stay focused on the work he has given us to do, and we’ll be able to keep the joy firmly in our sights no matter what gets thrown at us in the course of each day.
Will you join me in committing to keeping a good attitude through construction?
God bless you!
Pastor Moore
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