What a difference a month makes!

I made these photos yesterday afternoon. As you can see by comparing these to ones I made a month ago, mucho dirt has been moved to our new building site.


This manhole is about 12-14 feet deep. The bottom of it is where the old ground level was. I'm guessing that the orange line indicates where the finished ground level will be. Not much more to go!


This photo is looking down into the manhole. Although it's dark down there, you can just make out the end of a drainage pipe that was lying on top of the ground before any fill dirt was brought in (See February 8, 2007 post). Now it's waaaaaay down there.

Standing Firm

But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in Him.
He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a day of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8

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It's been a month since I last posted a photo to this site. There's only so many photos you can show of dirt being piled up, so I thought I'd wait a few weeks and then show a progress shot. I drove by the construction site yesterday, and it's really looking good. If the weather cooperates, I'll get out there today for some update photos. Meanwhile, stand firm.

Metal Church Buildings Not A New Idea

Through the wonder of the internet, I get to communicate with photographers from around the world. While visiting the blog of a new acquaintance from Istanbul, Turkey, I learned of a metal church there that dates from the 1890's. So metal church buildings are not such a new idea after all.

Check it out by clicking:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulgarian_St_Stephen_Church

Church With A View

This is view of the new building site looking northwest. Pretty nice view, huh? (Photo made 2/11/07.)

Doin' the dirty work

The church construction site was a beehive of activity early Saturday morning as workers took advantage of the dry weather.

Dump trucks rolled in almost every minute as they hauled dirt being dug from a site on Howell Mill Road.

As soon as the dirt is dumped, a bulldozer moves in to spread it out before the next load arrives.

Church Building For Sale

Now that there is a "For Sale" sign in front of Woodland Baptist Church, I wonder what people are thinking when they see it? "Are they moving?" "Are they going out of business?" "Who would want to buy a church?" "I wonder how much a church goes for nowadays?" Who knows what they're thinking. I just know God has a buyer out there, because the Bible says He will provide for all our needs.

I've heard rumors that one inquirer just wants the property to build houses or apartments. I really don't care what the next owner does with it, but it would be nice if another church bought it to use as a church. Just in case the building is torn down by the next owner, I plan to make a series of documentary photos of the building and its interior to remember her by. There's a lot of memories in that building.

You've Got Dirt!

Brian Noland called me last night to let me know that the dirt has finally started arriving - 25 or so loads on the first day! I went out first thing this morning to get some pictures. What had been dumped yesterday had already been spread and compacted as you can see in the picture. Lots more dirt will be needed to raise the grade 10-12 feet above what you see here, but at least the filling has begun!

It pays to ask questions.

On my last post I poked a little fun at WNC Paving for not coming through with any dirt yet. After visiting the site this morning and talking with some of the workers there, I learned there's some drainage work that has to be done first. So that's what's going on now. Drainage pipe has to be installed first before they just start dumping dirt. Speaking as a native of Louisiana, trust me, good drainage is important. So now I'll be a little more patient about the dirt. As Paul Harvey says, "Now you know the rest of the story."

Anticipation

Meanwhile, back at WNC Paving headquarters . . .

"Silt fence in place?"
"Check."
"Compactor at site?"
"Check."
"What about an excavator?"
"Check."
"We'll need a grader too."
"Check."
"What about the dirt?"
"Uh, er, uh, the dirt?"
"Yeah, the dirt. It's a fill job, remember?"
"Uh, oh yeah, the dirt. Uh, yeah, this week, uh, weather permitting, of course."

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Well, it looks like everything is in place for the dirt to start arriving. The anticipation of seeing that first load dumped is building - to an excruciating level. Maybe this week. We hope.

Pray for good weather. Pray for dirt.

Capital Fund Campaign Kick-off

Preaching a sermon from Matthew 21:33-41 titled "Whose Vineyard Is It?", Dr. Bob Entner of TLC Ministries began our Capital Fund Campaign at both the 8:20 and 11:00 worship services. The sermon centered on the subject of stewardship, and the responsibility we have to properly manage what God has entrusted to each of us.

At the evening service, Dr. Entner gave an overview of what will take place over the next few months as each family seeks how God will have them involved. There was an emphasis on the need for sacrificial giving, and the long-term importance of what we are about to begin. Dr. Entner also explained that this is not just a means of raising money, but an opportunity for spiritual growth for our church.

Well, it's a start . . .

The wait for dirt has so far gone unrewarded, but wait! There is something happening at the new church site. The first structure to be erected on the new site, a silt fence, is in place!

OK, this may not seem like very big news, but it's actually evidence that dirt is coming. (I know we've been hearing that since mid-December, but remember, we walk by faith, not by sight.) The silt fence is in place to contain any run-off from the dirt that is coming. So if the silt fence is up, the dirt can't be far behind. Stay tuned for further developments!

While we're waiting . . .

Many businesses have a phone system that lets a caller listen to music when they've been put on hold. Since this blog has been put on hold while we're waiting for our fill dirt to start arriving, I thought I'd offer a little music while we wait. For your listening pleasure, Timmy Burnette, Paul Thomas, and Justin Rhinehart. (Photo made 12/05.)

Merry Christmas Everybody!

Merry Christmas to all from the gang at Woodland Builds!

What we're hoping to see this week . . .

Experts at blogging say you have to post at least 3-4 times per week to keep your audience interested and coming back. The problem has been that there hasn't been anything going on to photograph lately. Oh, there's been plenty going on. The Design Committee has been selected, permits have been applied for, talks with real estate agents and bankers - a lot of "behind the scenes" type stuff that is necessary and important, but doesn't make for much photographic interest. (Seen any permit photos lately? Boooring!) So, I've posted an artist's conception of what it should look like when the dump trucks finally start rolling in, hopefully sometime this week. Photos of the real thing should appear soon, I hope.

Meanwhile, keep praying for the Buildings & Grounds, and Design Committees, and for Woodland's pastors and deacons. They're working hard, and the photographic evidence should start appearing soon!

I've seen a sign!

Last Tuesday, while driving down Crabtree Road, I saw that a sign had been put up announcing the future location of Woodland Baptist Church. Now remember, in Scripture, signs and wonders seem to go together. So keep an eye out for what wonders begin to take place in the coming months behind this sign!

Pressing On

The vote has been taken. The decision has been made. The committees are being formed. Soon the first phase of the actual construction will start. We're all a little anxious to see something actually start taking place on Crabtree Road, even if it's just that first truck load of fill dirt being dumped.

As with any construction project, much preparation has to be done before that first dump truck shows up. Woodland's leadership, and the committees elected to guide this project, are at work now. Last week, meetings were held with bankers and real estate agents to discuss marketing our current church property. Many things such as this will be taking place behind the scenes before we start to see a building begin to take shape. While we're waiting for that first dump truck to arrive, what can the rest of us do?

Pray! And keep praying. Pray for our church's leadership. Pray that God will give them the special wisdom they need at this time. Pray that they will be able to balance the demands on their time of a building project and their normal ministry responsibilities.

Pray for the committees who are meeting to plan the work that is about to begin. Pray that they will make wise choices on our church's behalf. Pray that all of us will be supportive and encouraging of their hard work and decision making.

Finally, pray that our entire church will remain enthusiastic and committed for the duration of the project. After the initial excitement about the new building subsides, much work and sacrifice will still be required by all of us. Progress may seem slow at times. There may be occasional weather related delays in the construction. Financial goals may look intimidating. However, we must keep our eyes focused on the goal that God has set before us. We must remain committed to pressing on even when the work is hard and the progress seems slow. We must keep in mind God's promises to provide everything we need to do what He's called us to do.

Progress we can see will be coming soon. Until then, keep praying. And be determined to keep pressing on.

What do you see?

To most folks driving up and down Crabtree Road, this driving range probably doesn't get much notice. It's been there long enough now that it's become just another part of the background as people head to wherever they're going.

The driving range will probably attract the attention of golfers for a moment. They might look to see how busy it is right now, make a mental note of when it's open, and think about how they need to get in some practice one of these days.

To those of us who attend Woodland Baptist Church, however, this driving range now has our attention every time we drive by. It's got our attention because we see something else there, something not everyone else can see, at least not yet.

Look closely at the photo. Can you see it? Can you see a large, new building filled with worshippers of the Lord Jesus Christ? Can you see the classrooms active with boys, girls, men, and women as they study the Scriptures, learning more about their faith, their God, and how to love and serve Him better? Can you see the fellowship hall filled with Christians enjoying a meal, and rejoicing in the fellowship they share in Jesus Christ? Can you see different groups meeting to plan strategies on how to share the love of God with Haywood county and the world through evangelism, and other ministry projects? If you look closely, all these things and more should be plainly visible. No, it's not trick photography, it's just learning to see with the eyes of faith.

Can you see it yet?

"We live by faith, not by sight" 2 Corinthians 5:7

Now, the real work begins . . .

That was pastor Alan Davis' remark after he announced the congregation's approval of a plan to purchase property and build a new facility on Crabtree Road. The recommendation to build was approved by 80% of those voting on Sunday, November 5, 2006. It was a historic moment for our church as we voted to step out on faith, and build a facility that will allow us to continue to grow and expand God's kingdom in Haywood county. An important decision, but as Pastor Alan stated, only a beginning.

Now, much work will need to be done by all of Woodland's members. Much planning and decision making is still ahead. Sacrifice will be required by all. We will all be asked to give of our time, talents, and finances. It will prove to be a time of testing for our church, but it is the kind of testing that can strengthen our faith, both as individuals, and as a church. If we walk by faith, we will come through the coming months not only with a new church building, but with a stronger, closer church.

Hardball

The questions got a little tougher at the second Q&A session concerning the proposal for building a new church facility. There were the usual questions about how we're going to pay for this project, but this week there were more questions about the specifics of the building itself. The architectural style of the sample drawing was the subject of one of the first questions. Modern or traditional style? Do we choose beauty over efficent use of space? Should the church building design emphasize being a functional meeting place for believers, or should the design itself make a statement of our view of God? These are questions that congregations around the world have debated for centuries, and Woodland will eventually have to work these out too.

There were a few other questions about how the building would look, and how space would be utilized. Most of these details will have to be discussed and decided after we decide to go ahead with the project. There's no use in debating the color of the carpet now. The question at hand is, "Does God want us to build a new facility so that we can continue to expand His kingdom in Haywood county?" Until we discern His will on that issue, questions of design and decorating are moot.

There are already some differences of opinion on what the building should finally look like, but the discussion remained friendly and cordial throughout the evening. That's a good sign. We'll all probably have to compromise some on our preferences, especially as they pertain to how the building looks, and how it will be decorated. Our church is very diverse in age, education, and background, and all those things influence our choices. However, at this time in our church's history, what we need most is unity of purpose. We can debate about the architectural style or the furnishings, but we need to be solidly together on the conviction that God wants us to grow, build, and expand.

Face The Congregation

Two weeks ago, Ryan Campbell of the Feasibility Team presented their findings on investigating our options for expansion. After looking into several possibilities, their recommendation was to purchase a new property near the intersection of Crabtree Rd. and Old Clyde Rd., and build a new facility there. A packet of information detailing their findings was given to each family in the church, and members were asked to examine the information, pray for a discernment of God's will, and write down any questions they had. Two church business meetings were scheduled on consecutive Sunday evenings for those questions to be presented to the Building and Grounds committee, who is now overseeing the process. The first of those meetings was last night.

The meeting was well attended, and some very good questions were asked. The overall mood seemed to be very positive, although there seems to be a bit of trepidation about costs by some. That is to be expected on a project of this size, and is why the church was asked to be in prayer about this proposal for 40 days before voting on it. If it is determined that it is God's will that we move forward with this project, God will provide what we need to do it. This must be a faith project.

These two photos show the good crowd in attendance, and Pastor Alan and the Building and Grounds committee poised to field questions. (Click on photos to see a larger version.) It also illustrates yet another reason to build a new facility: the lighting in the current sanctuary is AWFUL. From a photographic standpoint, it is extremely dim, and has too many sources. It has a combination of incandescent, florescent, and daylight filtered through colored glass. Try taking a color photo in that mess! That's why I shot in B&W. Most people probably don't care about that, but nonetheless, the current sanctuary is just a very poorly lit space. The new building will certainly have a better quantity and quality of lighting, even if you're not a photographer.