First Baptist Church, Tallahassee, FL
Building 4 Community Update

October 2, 2006

The Building 4 Community committee met with approximately 30 people on Saturday, September 16.   We began with approximately 30 minutes as a group, and then broke into discussion groups, each representing a different ministry area of our church. .Each group was facilitated by one or more committee members and responded to a list of 20 questions.  While many of the questions focused on facilities, the focus was on how to best use what we have to maximize First Baptist’s ministry impact for years to come. These discussions were a first step in gathering information and providing input. 

The Building 4 Community Committee met again on September 28 to evaluate the responses to our September 16 dialogue.  As we considered answers to our questions, I concluded that the significance of the ministry feedback is more than assessing today's detailed needs – it is identification of broader common issues that need to be addressed for future years.  For example, the need for space for ministry A is not as important as the fact that we have growing ministries (whether A, B, or C).  The need for restrooms in a certain wing is not as important as the need for sufficient restroom facilities in all areas.  As one of the participants noted on the 16th, we will present problems to an architect.  The architect will help by providing solutions.  Toward that end, the Committee recently requested qualifications from architects.  A number of firms – local and non-local – have responded to that request.  As I type this update, an architect selection subcommittee (Jim Cooke, John Corven, Al Eppinger, Matt Folsom, and John Schanbacher) is in the process of evaluating those initial responses. 

Don’t forget that the master plan is one of four charges given to our group:

1)      Consider the eight-year projected property needs as provided by our property committee.

2)      Consider whether multi-site ministry might be an effective expansion of First Baptist Church’s reach and impact.

3)      Develop a master plan for our strategic location in downtown Tallahassee.

4)      When the scope of the work is defined, develop a means to fund the improvements to allow us to implement the direction that God provides.

You have a part of this journey.  Dr. Dortch has encouraged each of us to be hopeful and positive as we proceed, all the while remembering to Pray - this is a spiritual matter, Give – right at this moment, and Invite - bring others to be a part of our fellowship.