Presentation Sunday
INPUT FORUM - DECEMBER 11, 2012
GROUP RESPONSES
What questions, concerns and recommendations do you have about this project?
General responses:
- More restrooms
- Elevation
- Stage area size
- Outside ramp
- Fellowship hall size
- Interior elevation
- Handicap access
- Custodian area
- Pastor office
- Square area
- Tweak
- Children area/sound
Specific items mentioned at each table:
- Grateful for the method
- Why is extension not straight out?
- I like it being on same level with crawl space underneath rather than concrete base and fill having to be brought in. Use frame construction under the floor space
- Will seating be equal on both configuration options?
- Designed to be accoustical?
- Pews or theatre type seats?
- A specific area for handicapped i.e. hearing, wheelchairs.
- Classrooms on what level?
- Concern that fellowship hall won't be big enough
- Grade of building and slope of overhang/drive-through
- Tree removal? None
- Enough parking? Yes, past 2nd telephone pole.
- Custodian room
- Chair/table storage
- Electric panel room
- Secretary/pastor office closer to sanctuary
- Toddler room to basement Salt & Light room and use for above item
- Move sound booth OFF main aisle
- Space for children not enough
- Why raise up the new building?
- Would sidewalk in front of church ramp be as well?
- Fan layout - losing seating
- Bathroom next to sleeping baby room with no soundproofing
- Offices in front of building
- Sound system not big enough
- Update church marque
- When do we start?
- Will layout be tweaked?
- If connecting area were made a little wider then toddler room could be made with window into sanctuary
- Consensus - preferred "square" seating arrangement (more stage space). Perhaps adding a door in back center
- Capital campaign - do we need to raise the whole thing before we start?
- Where is "utility/mechanical room" for new part?
- We all want to see this work
- Would like to see the original building get a facelift outside too
- Movable back wall of sanctuary? (for overflow).
- Sound booth location?
- Ceiling height and style
- No fellowship expansion
- Like their plan - ready to go - no concerns
- Good job done so far. Concern about space of square auditorium - worship space too large
- Round auditorium worship space too small
- Ramps outside of building icy in winter - heat drive-up area
- Think the youth are smarter than the old people
- I will help as long as I am around
- What are we looking at as a time table?
- Church has grown a lot in last 10 years - if it continues to grow, won't have room (with existing structure).
- Concern - no men's and women's restrooms (separate) in the new part. Just one restroom in the new part
- If we are looking to the future and weddings, perhaps we want two new large restrooms in new part
- Fill will take a lot of fill to bring it up to same level as fellowship hall. Could we have a longer slope between the fellowship hall and new construction? For future expansion with existing plan, will need a lot more fill dirt
- Do we need storage area behind stage (all the way across) - possibly have a hallway connecting the two storage areas?
What has been the most significant information revealed in the presentation last Sunday?
General responses:
- Size increase
- Information
- Finance
- Achievability
- Flexibility
- Presentation
- Atmosphere
- Volunteer need
- Unity
Specific items mentioned at each table:
- That we can do this with our financial means.
- Concern that we will need our own labor to complete. Given the amount of enthusiasm that will be necessary for the duration of the project
- Respect for thought and planning so far
- How much we've been growing and the 80% growth - inability to grow with expansion
- Ways in which old building can be used wisely
- Finance as presented is very feasible
- Time invested already into this project
- "Red, Yellow, Green Light" from Church Growth Services - allow for work/progress
- The Presentation booklet itself
- This building project totally different than before - attitude, atmosphere, leadership, Prayer
- Finance - liked it.
- How the size of our current church compares to what we want to build
- Presentation itself
- Seeing the old layout over the new plan
- Achievability of the campaign project
- Connecting the old and new
- Flexibility of sanctuary use
- Man hours to complete project is good sweat equity
- Who will be the leaders?
- Can we handle and commit to the number of man hours required to complete the project?
- Asking everyone's opinion - a good thing
- Drawings good - old/new overlay
- Thought we could do more with money but understand why we can't
- Surprised that at least one proposal wasn't for a completely new facility
- Main thing is to make everyone feel a part of the project at whatever level they can contribute
- Keeping the unity within the church
What else do you feel is important for leaders to consider as this project continues to unfold?
General responses:
- Communication
- Open mind
- Flexibility
- Unity
- GTR done
- General contractor
- Motivation
- Faith base
- Plan A/B
- On hold (?)
- Maintain existing
- Don’t drop ministry
- Not be personal
- Don’t forget future church
Specific items mentioned at each table:
- Keep people informed
- Our concerns being heard
- Be prepared mentally and physically to accept the financial cots.
- Remember this is God's work
- Could project be put on hold if people lose jobs and can't contribute?
- Proceed based on faith
- Is there a Plan B if Plan A hits a wall?
- It is God's church - don't forget - first and foremost
- Other people informed about progress/needs
- Don't let this building project hinder our other missions we are involved with presently
- Keep availability to community as we grow larger.
- COMMUNICATION
- Stick to the budget
- Keep church motivated
- Keep present equipment and space
- Don't press personal agenda
- Maintain current programs, etc. - continue and not put on hold
- Remember younger generations
- Communication - keep people updated, listen (hear), talk!
- Unity
- Keep doing what you've been doing!
- To somehow be aware of what people are thinking and perhaps not sharing
- Economy
- Continue functioning as the church that we are - reaching out to community - leaders doing their duties
- Keep God first! Keep in focus!
- It's not about me or you - it's about Jesus
- It takes all of us to do it
- We have done it before - we can do it again
- Remaining open - bring problems to congregation
- If pledges are considerably higher than anticipated can we scrap existing plans for something new?
- Continue to seek God's will in the entire process
- Listen to church community - open mind - flexibility
- Have a plan for scheduling volunteer hours
- Who will be the leader/general contractor (keep us motivated)?
- Stay within budget
- Get 'er done!!
- Check out the possibility of phases
What one thing excites you the most about this project?
General responses:
- Really happening
- Family excitement
- Rid of mold
- Unity
- Excitement
- New look
- Finances
- Ownership
- Time
- Doable plan
- Choose a new seat
Specific items mentioned at each table:
- Church growth
- Getting to choose a new seat in the sanctuary
- Seeing how the church will grow
- Doability!
- Doable plan - money amount and plans
- Slow and in stages
- Ask more people to give
- Have fundraiser
- Getting rid of mold in basement
- Getting the sound system that works properly
- New carpet
- The new "face" of Marion!
- Perhaps draw new people in
- Wisdom of the people in the triangle to do God's will.
- Remember to keep the love of the church family
- Unity - all age levels - the buzz today is unity
- Moving forward at a slower, deliberate pace so everyone is on board
- Started with prayer
- Space will allow for growth in numbers/faith/missions
- Feels like we are working within our means
- Exterior change will make building more attractive i.e. plan white siding = Conservative Mennonite Church
- Additional space to invite visitors - space for families
- That it is really happening
- Having more space
- Separate sleeping baby room
- Kids excitement
- Fresh, new, inviting
- Don't plan to go into debt
- More people from community will be interested in coming
- Stewardship
- Watching the miracle of this project unfold
- Seeing the spirit of the church - great unity
- Working together to achieve the goal
- Different "feeling" in church
- Additional room (seating) makes it easier to invite visitors
- We waited 10 years for this to happen - Praise God for this "community of faith!"
- Ownership of the plans
If you have any questions or comments please contact John Egli or Ray Bontrager.