The Summer of 2013 needs to be
remembered as the
summer
of change. At the beginning we lost
our Pastor and just a few weeks later, our System’s Administrator. We have
continually been making upgrades to our technology but speeded up the changes
this summer. We changed our software from Shelby to ACS and have encountered
many, many more challenges than expected. In fact, we’re still working to get
the financial package working smoothly before moving on to the calendaring
package.
The
driving force behind changing software was the need to improve our check-in and
security processes. ACS seems to have the best check-in system in place today,
thus the change. We now have check-in stations in preschool, children and youth
areas. Fortunately, we’ve not had any close encounters of the wrong kind
concerning security, but many churches have. We chose to be proactive and get
systems in place BEFORE we had problems.
We’re also
relying on more volunteers to help with our IT needs. Chris Gscheidle is a
God-send. He has so much knowledge about technology and is helping us in more
ways than I can describe. David Taylor is also making significant contributions
in our Sunday morning worship “production.”
I continually thank God for these two men.
We’re also
seeing some changes in our financial position. At the moment, we’re about 5
weeks behind our budgeted receipts. Fortunately, we’ve not had to dip into our
cash reserves, but if the trend continues, we will. I’m not sure if our
offerings are down because: 1) we’re out of debt and some feel the money is not
needed; 2) we don’t have a pastor so they feel that don’t have to give as much;
3) other spending is considered more important than supporting Bacon Heights.
Folks,
ministry is continuing even without a pastor. Yes, we’re out of debt, but our
debt was not being financed by the budget. Just because we’re out of debt
doesn’t mean we no longer need your support—WE DO! Actually, during this
interim time we’re working to make improvements in anticipation of our new
pastor AND God is providing us with new opportunities.
What BHBC
couldn’t do 15 years ago we can now accomplish—purchase property next to our
campus. At the moment we have an opportunity to buy two houses. One is next to
our parking lot on the 54th Street side. (We already own the one on
the 53rd Street side.) For a few years I’ve been calling that house
Annex 2. In my mind, this purchase is a must because it connects to our parking
lot.
The other
house is across the street at the east end of the block. At one time BHBC owned
this house and Charles Murray lived in it. When the South Campus was purchased,
we sold the house to Vera Perkins. It is available for sale. We’ll discuss the
purchase of these two houses Sunday night during our business meeting.
Sunday we
begin our Senior Adult Revival. Actually, it’s being sponsored by the senior
adults but is for the whole church. I trust you will be in attendance Sunday
morning and evening. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings we’ll also have
services and hope many of you can make these times.
Sunday
morning, Chris Slayton, Chairman of the Pastor Search Committee, will give a
brief update on the work of the PSC. We’ve got some great days ahead of us and
working together, we can make our future days be our best days.
