First United Methodist Church Coppell

UPDATE September 14, 2010:  

Prudent Pathway

At the called Church Conference Sunday the revised Pathway vision and timeline was approved by a vote of 252-62 with 1 abstention. This will allow the Pathway Team and Trustees to proceed with upgrades to the existing facility using funds currently available. Then it challenges us to use the extended timeline to grow in our discipleship, especially our financial stewardship, while the economy continues to recover. In two years we will move to complete the funding for and construction of the ministry center.

Most people agreed that it was a prudent and balanced decision in the face of several complicating factors.

First United Methodist Church, Coppell
Called Church Conference, September 12, 2010, 10:00 am
Presiding - - Rev. Milton Guttierrez, Superintendent, North Central District, NTCUMC

1. Where We’ve Been
In December 2008 a called Church Conference approved a capital campaign to fund the “Pathway to the Future” vision. Our “Pathway to the Future” campaign was delayed from Spring 2009 to October 2009 after which we also had a “We’re So Close” follow-up emphasis in February 2010. The results of these efforts yielded $2,159,000 in pledges and, to date, an additional $33,000 in unpledged giving. With the $830,000 from the 2001 campaign designated for capital expansion, our total projected funds available were $3,022,000. This was short of the needed funds for the original vision.

2. Where We Are
Since March 2010 the Pathway Team, Trustees and Church Council have worked to revise the original vision to fit the funds available and also to protect the church’s operating budget for a period of three years. Here is the revised plan:
-$350,000 to protect the church’s operating budget for three years, to include 3 years of interest on short-term construction loans and 2 years of operating expenses after the ministry center is completed
-$250,000 for upgrades to the existing facility including new carpet in the Sanctuary, new chairs, Wesley Hall cosmetic upgrades, etc.
-$253,000 for architectural, engineering, environmental, project management for the duration of the project
-$136,000 for interior furnishings, stage lighting and technology
-$50,000 porte cochere
-$2,100,000 new construction of ministry center; cost estimate reduced from original vision by:
• Reducing scale by 4,000 sq. ft.
• Eliminating site-work figure (discovered history on prior site work)
• Simplified exterior design and roof structure
• Recalculated estimates using reduced construction costs (2010 vs 2008)
_________________
_________________
  $3,139,000 projected costs
- $3,022,000 projected funds available
_________
<$117,000>

This reallocation of funds to protect the operating budget and redesign to reduce construction costs allowed us to produce 35% architectural drawings in the new design and put them out for construction estimates with the goal of a $2,100,000 new facility which would enhance our current ministries and remain a valuable ministry tool for the
next 10-15 years. Four construction estimates were received ranging from $2,165,000 to $2,674,000, with three of the four averaging about $2,500,000. Further, none of these estimates included either a contingency allowance (5%-6% or $137,500) or a performance bond (~$30,000). Thus, the best estimate is that we are about $684,000
short of needed funds for construction at this time.

3. Where We’re Going
The Pathway Team recommends to the Church Conference that we proceed with the “Pathway to the Future” as follows:
Fall ’10 thru Summer ’11 - - using accrued and regularly received Pathway funds, proceed now with some of the Pathway improvements which were planned for the existing facility (for example, new carpet in sanctuary; upgrade Sunday School classrooms, especially for youth; porte cochere); restore our lost program and operating funding by strengthening our fundamental discipleship as a church family with regard to our Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service and Witness using an emphasis tentatively called “Back to Fundamentals”.

Fall ’11 thru Summer ’12 - - continue accruing Pathway pledges; continue to strengthen our fundamental discipleship using a program called “Commitment to Christ”.

Fall ’12 thru Summer ’13 - - complete necessary funding, design and bidding to proceed with the new construction phase of the Pathway vision.

4. Vision Tempered by Realism Yields Balance
I believe the Pathway vision is well thought-out and will be very important to this church’s future. I believe that this revised plan and timeline is a faithful and prudent way to proceed allowing us to hold on to future hope while not ignoring our present reality. The ministries of this church are strong. They continue to be a vehicle through
which God changes live. What happens here matters. Let’s move into the future with confidence.
Grace and Peace,

Rev. Dennis Wilkinson