Tough Choices

October 1, 2008 by Andy Lunt.

Dear Glen Mar Friend,

Like many of you I have been extremely troubled by recent events affecting the economy. I’m concerned both on a professional level–knowing there are many families facing increasing struggles–and on a personal level with retirement looming.

It’s beginning to look as if Joan and I will be starting retirement the same way we began marriage–exploring “101 Ways to Prepare Hamburger,” the book that sustained us through the first few years of our married life.

I’ve been troubled as well by the inability or unwillingness of those in both the financial sector and in government to take  responsibility for their actions or to make hard decisions.

In the midst of these troubled times, though, I wanted to assure you that you are well represented by the lay leaders of Glen Mar Church. In particular, members of our Building Team have demonstrated an ability and a willingness to make the hard decisions so necessary to carry
us forward.

Members of the Building Team recently rejected as unrealistic the Guaranteed Maximum Price for construction of Phase 2 presented to them by our contractor.

We had hoped to realize certain economies by continuing to work with the company that oversaw construction of Phase 1. When it became apparent this was not going to happen, though, members of the Building Team made a decision to seek additional bids for Phase 2.

The result of this decision is to delay the start of construction on Phase 2, making it very unlikely the education building will be ready for occupancy by September 1 of 2009.

Because of implications for the Glen Mar Preschool, as well as plans for day care and before and after school care, this was a very difficult decision to make. However, members of the Building Team felt it was the right decision, and I agree.

Seeking additional competing bids will add time to the construction process for phase 2. But it
will help to assure that the best possible facility is provided for Glen Mar’s future needs while making the most effective use of available resources.

One of my bedrock beliefs is that God will always provide for what God wants God’s church to do. Often God provides through the leadership of folks like those on Glen Mar’s Building Team–who have put in countless hours over the past few years.  Sometimes God provides in a fashion and on a schedule different from those we would have chosen. But I’m grateful that God always provides.

You might want to know that God continues to provide growing opportunities for more people to experience God’s presence through our new building. Worship attendance for September averaged 646 per Sunday, the highest average ever for that month. And, since our move in mid July, more than 150 persons have visited Glen Mar for the first time. Give God the glory!

This week in worship we will attempt to do just
that, while joining with Christians around the world in observing World Communion Sunday. And we’ll be continuing our sermon series on “Downsizing Your Life,” built around the idea that we can achieve greater joy and fulfillment by getting rid of the Seven Deadly Sins and the power they hold over us.

See you in church!

In Christ,
andy

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