Today’s article is the first out of four to share the current renovation plans. We have not shared the plans before since we did not have plans to share. Once the process began, we followed the same process we have for years. We make sure we have approval and complete buy in of Pastor, staff, Renovation Team, Elders and then the larger Leadership Team. Here is how the process began.
Several months back JIBC received a very generous financial gift. Shortly after that we received yet another. This allowed us the opportunity to think about replacing the carpet in the sanctuary/worship center. Perhaps you have noticed the terrible wrinkles just about everywhere in the worship center? It is caused by the extreme temperatures and high humidity. There was really no good way to repair the carpet, although we have addressed the problem. You may remember we replaced the old boiler system (yes, I know it seems crazy that we still used a boiler system in the 21st century). We now have a controlled, updated, efficient heating and air conditioning system for the worship center. No more lighting the boiler on cold mornings or draining and refilling the water tower when we need the air conditioning.
So, replacing the carpet led to the need to change paint color and repair cracks and unfinished wall repairs. If you have ever done a remodel project, you know it is like pulling a small string on a sweater. Once you start, it is hard to find a stopping place. We were encouraged by our Elders to go ahead and think about fixing, replacing, repairing, updating everything that needed to be addressed. So we put together a renovation team to begin the process of putting a plan together. It included myself, Dean Kelly, Pam Bingham, our Hispanic Pastor, Claudio (he is a paint contractor) and Pastor Sean. Once this team started moving, they brought their ideas to the staff for input and help. Once we had basic colors and fabric, we gathered with the Renovation and Team, Elders and Staff for further input. This process took a month or longer to come together. Word would start getting out that we were planning to renovate because we would include other church members by asking for their opinions and input. But there were still no plans to share.
Bring in the experts. Once we got the basics of the renovation plans in place, we called in others to help us. And will still be calling in people with expertise to help us. One example would be Church Interiors, Inc. This is the company that the Southern Baptist Convention recommends to churches considering building or renovating. They sent their consultant to look at our plans. He did and he liked them. He also, like pulling that string I talked about, made several more recommendations of remodeling.
Each week for the next three weeks, I will write an article about the renovation and why we are doing it. Keep us in your prayers. To God be the glory!
Pastor Tom
A Personal Word of thanks: You may or may not have heard, that our 30 year old daughter, Erin, went into full cardiac arrest on Wednesday, May 27. Some of you are still learning about our family. Our oldest child is our son, Bryon; then Brook; and then Erin. All are married and are the parents of our 8 grandchildren. Erin Wilkins, our youngest, is in MUSC-CICU. As I type this, she is waiting to have an internal defibrillator put in. They do not know what caused the event. They know she is at risk of having it happen again. She has come miles and miles from that horrible event at the playground. Thank you all for your prayers, love and support. Your love reached beyond our family to feed us, families in the waiting room and many nurses. We are deeply grateful. Pastor Tom, Janie and our whole family.
