Craig Baker, Communications Team Captain: I sat down with Pastors Clancy Cruise (PC) and Todd Scoles (PT) recently to talk about their perspectives on the Imagine Together building process.  Below are their responses to my questions.

Craig:  What does “Imagine Together” mean to you?

PC:  It means unity.  It will take everyone doing their part.  It’s worth taking time to be inclusive and to fulfill our church mission statement, “To enjoy God together, grow in His truth and grace, and share Him with others here and around the world.”

PT:  The phrase comes from Ephesians 3:20-21, which says, “Now to Him who is able to immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen.”  We are trusting God to fill in the picture and work in mighty ways.

Craig:  How much work has gone into the process already?

PC:  It would be difficult to ballpark the cumulative hours between individual time and small group meetings.  The process started before 2008 with the Feasibility Team that led in the purchase of the property.  There were initial talks five years ago, and there have been 8-10 teams that have met to work on this along the way.

PT:  The official start could be placed in January 2008 when a Framework Team began to prepare the way, building on the work of the Feasibility Team.  The Steering Team was formed in September 2008, and subsequent specific focus teams were formed in January 2009.

Craig:  How quickly are we progressing, and what are the next key steps?

PC:  The leaders (Pastoral Staff, Elders, and Steering Team) are not in a hurry.  We are focused on doing things right.  I feel positive about the pace and it’s important to involve the congregation, to help people get that inside perspective.  I’m looking forward to ratcheting up the communication of information as it becomes available.

PT:  I agree that the pace has been reasonable as we press toward a tentative completion date of Phase I in late 2012.  From the outside, the pace may seem slow at times, but from the inside, information is gathering and flowing quickly as 3-4 meetings per week are dedicated to the project.  Two key steps that are developing are a pre-campaign assessment and the master planning phase with our architect.  Throughout the process, we need to keep in mind the advice of our Campaign Consultant that “good communication means there are no surprises.”

Craig:  How are you involved in the process?

PC:  I pray faithfully – this gives peace of mind that God is on the job!  I will schedule a brief meeting with key individuals if I need to catch up on timely developments.  I certainly approve of what has taken place so far.  I can’t leave all the other responsibilities of ministry to focus on every aspect of the process, so I am glad we have other I can trust to keep the ball moving well.

PT:  I am a member of the Steering Team, serve as liaison to the Communications Team, and provide a sort of “Information Central” to collect and distribute documents and information as needed.  One of the best things about this process is getting to watch a large group of people working in their strengths to serve God and the church.

Craig:  How can the congregation be involved at this point in the process?

PC:  Take time to read what is presented and stay informed.  If you don’t have answers to your questions, go find them.  Staff, Elders, and Steering Team members are available to provide answers.

PT:  Pray – use the prayer guide posted on the website, and pray specifically for team members listed each week on the back of the Sunday morning program.

Craig:  What are you thankful for as we move ahead?

PC:  I’m especially thankful for those who have stepped up to lead and coordinate this project.  I’m thankful for the unity and for the communication with the congregation.  I’m thankful for 2010.  As Ecclesiastes says, “There is a time for everything.”

PT:  I’m thankful for the right people in the right place at the right time.  The congregation has been very patient and positive.  I’m also thankful for specific times when I see God working tangibly to provide wisdom, people, and resources for each step.

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