© 2006 by Nick B. Nicholaou, all rights reserved President, Ministry Business Services, Inc. Reprinted from The NACBA Ledger
You’re in a building project, and the problem solving seems to be done. But is it? Get ready! This process is a roller coaster ride like you’ve never been on before!
Was I A Fool To Say Yes?
My church asked me to oversee the development of their new property a couple of years ago. We’ve had five or six cliffhangers in the process, but it seemed like we were ready to enter a low-energy management cycle. Our Conditional Use Permit was approved by the City, our General Contractor was selected and the work begun, and our financing was in place. Miraculously, the amount we qualified to borrow was exactly the amount we needed for our buildout!
Then we hit another drop on the Site Development Ride. This one had a couple of hair-raising twists in it too! Our lender called us and said their portfolio needs had changed, and they were no longer interested in our project. They said the circumstances might change if we could wait a few months, but we knew that would put our construction contract in jeopardy and probably raise the cost of construction because of the need to stop and then re-deploy at a later date.
What I’m Learning
As I’ve spoken with some who do large construction projects professionally, this is par for the course. Each has told me that these things happen— and have happened to them!— and that things will work out. I just need to stay focused.
Well, that’s easier in my situation than in many others. The reason is that I’m overseeing a project that has God’s fingerprints all over it. From the way the land came to us, to the way we purchased it, to the support of the congregation, and more, I have seen God at each step and cliffhanger. The key is to keep trying to approach each new situation with God-honoring integrity. For me that means:
- Communicating with others as I’d like to have been communicated with if I were in their position.
- Honoring each with whom I interface, trying to be the ambassador God would have me be.
- Trusting God with unfaltering faith, while also using the skills and tools he’s given me to be a good and faithful steward.
An old phrase we often hear is, “This, too, shall pass.” My goal is that when it does, God’s fingerprints will be all that remain.