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When will we break ground? When are we moving in?
Our best estimates assume groundbreaking in the fall of 2010 with a target opening date of 11/11/2011. Of course, the best laid plans are always subject to construction schedules and other unforeseen delays.
How much is Phase One going to cost?
Our engineers have obtained construction budgets from several contractors. Their preliminary estimates for the construction costs of Phase One are between $1.2 and $1.6 million. These figures are not final bids and do not include furniture and fixtures.
But our goal is to raise $800,000. How will we bridge the gap between funds raised and total costs?
We have several options. First, we are planning to finance the construction of the building with a short-term bridge loan that will provide the needed cash flow to cover our building costs while we are still collecting campaign pledges. Second, we are planning to take out a mortgage to cover any remaining short-fall at the end of the Possessing the Land Campaign in 2013. Hopefully the Holy Spirit is working in the hearts of all St. Andrew's members calling us each to make a generous, sacrificial gift that will enable the completion of Phase One with very little debt. If, however, we do not meet our goals, plans for Phase One may have to be scaled back.
How will we be able to afford a mortgage while supporting two clergy and our outreach ministries?
We would like to limit the initial mortgage balance to 2x our annual budget. But make no mistake, stepping out and doing this building program is a leap of faith. Growing the church, through the building and other means, is the only way to keep our existing staff without Diocesan support and to expand our ministries. Put another way, the decision not to build would be a decision to reduce staff and programs. This move, we believe, will allow us to have the impact we've dreamed of in our community.
Will the Diocese provide financial support?
The Diocese of Dallas purchased eleven acres of land at McKinney Ranch Parkway and Ridge Road many years ago, before St. Andrew's came into being. Their substantial investment in our land, as well as in St. Andrew's itself through the Church Planting Committee, has been crucial to our growth. It is time now for St. Andrew's to stand on her own. If we are to take the next steps as a church and construct a permanent home, we must be strong and courageous, stepping out in faith in response to the call, "Lord, what do you want to do through me? What do you want to do through St. Andrew's?"
Why are we building a multi-purpose worship center instead of a sanctuary or parish hall?
This first building is actually part of our ultimate worship center. The building gives us maximum flexibility as how to grow in the future by providing for basic functions, worship center functions, and flex-space functions including “parish hall.”
Why is the current plan so different from the Master Plan we completed three years ago?
Our initial Master Plan was to dream about what programs, space and acreage would be needed on our property. The initial design that originated from that Master Plan was a reflection of the sensibilities of the congregation who desired a traditional Anglican campus. Now that we are actually designing the space itself, the needs of the church have evolved, and we are working with a different architect. The current plan incorporates all the major elements of the original Master Plan. The real difference is that instead three separate buildings, we’ll have one larger building constructed in three phases. We have improved upon the traditional feel and the efficiency of the Master Plan, and Phase One will be an even larger project than originally anticipated.
Will Father Mike and Mother Mary stay at St. Andrew's for the duration of this campaign?
Yes. Mother Mary is participating in a two year Curacy program through the Diocese of Dallas. In 2011, we will need to fund her salary on our own. We’ll need to add to our operational budget in order to do that, which makes this program all the more important.
Will we be adding additional worship services after we move in?
Yes, but not immediately. To add another service will take a commitment of a substantial group in the congregation to participate in and staff a second service.
How will our current ministries be enhanced, and what new programs will we be able to offer in our new building?
First and foremost, we look forward to a dedicated space for our children and youth to gather for Discipleship Hour, Kids' Church and Youth Group meetings. Having the church offices onsite as well as ample meeting space will offer logistic, organizational and planning resources to all our ministries. We expect our membership to grow significantly once construction is complete and we are able to finally worship in our own beautiful building. These new members will swell our ranks of volunteers, having an immediate and profound impact on our mission of outreach and social transformation. The opportunities are limitless!
Once we complete Phase One, what's next for St. Andrew's?
Phases 2 & 3 will depend on the growth of our congregation and debt reduction. As the mortgage is paid down and we grow in average Sunday attendance, the next phase will be evaluated. It might be time to build a school, or it might be time to add more sanctuary space.
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