ChurchNExT – First Edition

At the congregational meeting this past September, the congregation voted to proceed with a three million dollar campaign to execute our vision.  We continue to put together this campaign which will culminate with Commitment Sunday on May 23rd.  We will be asking each member and regular attendee to make a commitment (above your normal giving) which will be given over a three-year period. You will be asked to commit the funds asking that the Lord will provide the amount. 

We believe this vision is from the Lord and is the culmination of years of research and planning. We are very blessed at Glasgow Church.  It would be easy to be content to continue doing what we have been doing, but we do not believe that is what God has called us to do.  We are called to glorify Him in our worship, to grow in grace through discipleship, and to go as Jesus said in mission.  This campaign will help put resources in our hands to move to the next level to accomplish this great vision. At Glasgow Church, we are always asking, “what is NEXT?”  What is NEXT in worship?  What is NEXT in discipleship?  What is NEXT in mission?  Basically, what is NEXT at Glasgow?  One of the key doctrines of the Reformation was for the church to “always be reforming” or Sempre Reformando. In 21st century language, this basically means the church should always be in the practice of asking “what is next”? This campaign reflects a piece of what is NEXT for this great church. 

Where does the campaign stand today?  Our hope is to produce, in vivid detail, both a short term and a long term plan to the congregation in the coming months.  We want to show how the short term projects fit the long term vision.  To that end, we have contracted with several experts in the industry and in our congregation to help us fully develop both a 10-15 year master plan and a 1-3 year short term plan for our campaign.  As the plans start to come back to us, it is very exciting to see what God is doing and to envision what “could be” at Glasgow Church.  It is fun to dream big…perhaps our vision has even been TOO small.  Here are a few of the elements we are developing (this is just a taste and not comprehensive):

1. NEXT in worship…a renovation of our sanctuary that reflects an “ancient-future worship space”.  We have contracted with a top-notch designer who will be producing renderings of the sanctuary so you can see the vision.  It is going to be incredible.  Also, we are working with an exterior designer to help finalize our new sign design, and show us what the front of our building could look like to those driving by on Rt. 896 (both at day and night) when lit properly. 
2. NEXT in mission…we are working with several experts to design a 15-year master plan for our entire 75 acres.  This will show where future recreation fields will be located and so much more. The Lord continues to open doors.  Just recently, the state gave us property that connects to Old County Road.  Praise the Lord!  Also…NEXT in mission…we are trying to determine what the best course of action is for our children-at-risk campaign piece.  We are planning on helping build an orphanage somewhere in the world through World Orphan.  Nicaragua is a possibility, and we have a team going there, led by Steve Jeantet, to see what God is doing and how we may help.  We are also looking into ways to help in Haiti as part of the campaign.  Finally, we are on-mission in Middletown.  Pastor Dan is leading the charge to plant a campus there. The Session has determined that we will adopt “one church, many locations” and you can view this plan on our website http://tr.im/MQTz.  We envision campuses with live preaching and worship, but with an interconnection, popping up all over our region in the long term plan.  Just imagine bringing all these congregations together, with a shared purpose and vision…perhaps one day we will need to rent the Bob Carpenter Center for periodic joint worship services!  

There is so much more I could share and I will do so over the next several weeks. Until then, please continue to pray for the leadership of the church as we fully develop these plans.  It is very exciting. The congregation voted to save $100,000 by having the staff and session run this campaign.  At the time, it was a daunting proposition.  However, it was the right decision.  We are clicking on all cylinders and are excited to see how God leads.  As the plans come in and as this progresses, we will be adding a webpage to our website dedicated solely to this building project that we are calling: ChurchNExT: Next in Worship, Next in Discipleship, Next in Mission. 

I would love to hear your comments, questions, and feedback. Please email me at clbetters@glasgowchurch.com.  Continue to keep in mind that I am not presenting the entire plan in this letter.  I just wanted to give you a taste of where we stand today. 

Chuck L. Betters