- was a member of the Hall of Fame
- was a homemaker and much more
- won the City Bowling Tournament in 1969
- was a Sr. Vice President of Leasing
- enjoyed traveling and gardening
- was noted for his artistic abilities as a young child
- loved to cook and host gatherings
- was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean War
- especially loved dancing, and had won trophies for dancing in the past
- enjoyed his wife’s cooking
- was an avid reader in the disciplines of art, politics, foreign language, literature, religion and philosophy
- enjoyed hunting, playing cards and farming
- had worked as a truck driver hauling milk
- was devoted to the grandsons
- was a member of the prayer chain
- was a man dedicated to his faith

Those are just a few comments I collected from today’s obituaries. They are probably common to any day, any place. They’re meant to communicate the essence of a person’s life, but for me they raise more questions than they answer. Did he enjoy his job? Why didn’t he do anything with the artistic talents from his childhood? What was it like for him in the war? What could he teach us from all he read? What was the favorite dish that his wife cooked? How did she feel when she danced? Was she a true “prayer warrior”? How did God work in his life to make him a man of faith?

An obituary is not even a good snapshot of a life. We can read about careers and hobbies. We can read about achievements and accomplishments. We can read about the high points, but no obituary can capture the essence of a life. So what does form the essence of our lives? Our tendency is to focus on our remarkable moments. The times when we won. The times where a lot of hard work culminated in something that we were proud of. Something that might even make others stand up and take notice. Certainly those times are important, but I have come to believe that…

…it’s not our accomplishments, but the way we live our time in-between that tells the true story of our lives.

As I look back on my life and then look forward into eternity, it becomes evident that most of my accomplishments will mean nothing. What will mean something – everything – beyond me – will be the way I treated my wife, what I taught my kids by example, the people I poured my life into to disciple and the common acts of service (especially to the disenfranchised). Did my attitude and demeanor bless or burden people? Did my words encourage and enlighten people or did they break their spirit? I pray God redeems the in-between times I have not lived well. May we commit to living well in the in-between times of everyday – beginning today.

The story formed from our everydays will be the wake that ripples throughout eternity.

As I said last week, the right project delivery method can serve the team well, but no project delivery method is strong enough to overcome the wrong partners.  The reality is that the fees paid to the architect and contractor are relatively small compared to the total cost of the project. And they become miniscule when you consider the lifecycle cost of the facility. Yet, these are the people you are hiring to tell you how to spend your big dollars.

1) Experience – Look for specific experience not only in the building industry, but also with the specific type and size of facility you may be considering. Also look for experience in the specific project delivery method you are using.

2) Familiarity with current trends – Over the next decade, the way we “do” church is going to change significantly. Work with people that understand those trends, and how you can maximize the development of your facilities to anticipate those trends.

3) Breadth & Depth – A building project is a huge change initiative that will impact your church in more ways than you can imagine. Visioning, branding, communication, generosity, strategic planning, leadership development, assimilation, etc. are all important facets. Work with partners that have competencies and connections that can address ALL aspects of the project. 

4) Flexibility – It requires patience and understanding to move with the ebb and flow of the variety of personalities and backgrounds in a church. A rigid position without regard for a global perspective will do damage to the people, the process and the product.

5) Fit – In most cases, you will be spending as much as two years or more with your industry partners. That’s longer than the average tenure of a youth pastor. If you wouldn’t hire an industry partner to be on your staff, don’t hire them to be on your team.

6) Collaboration – Collaboration is vital regardless of the project delivery method. Design/Build has overtaken Design/Bid/Build because it has been shown to be faster, less costly, less litigious and with better quality (per a Construction Industry Institute study). That certainly doesn’t mean it’s true in every circumstance, but what it does show is that working together in collaborative rather than adversarial roles will yield a better result. Work with people that know how to collaborate, not just cooperate. 

7) Character - There is no amount of experience that can overcome a lack of integrity. Every project has challenges. You want people on your side with character you can count on. Be sure you are comfortable in this area – you will be spending the next couple of years together.

The industry partners you select are critical to the success of your project, even though their fees are a small percentage of the overall costs. If you could select 10 different teams and approaches, you would get 10 dramatically different projects delivered via dramatically different processes with dramatically different consequences. Even project costs (total or per sq. ft.) are only part of the picture. The ultimate goal is a facility that best fits the ministry needs so it propels you forward. And it should be developed through a process that strengthens you and your church.

Challenges are inevitable, so ask yourself this question: “Who do you want to be with in rough water?” The bottom line…

Hire for Competence & Integrity

“When the Word was made flesh, there was no compromise on God's part!
God, in the Incarnation, became flesh…by the taking of mankind into God.
That is the wonder of redemption!” (A. W. Tozer)

We were bought with a great price. The sacrifice of Jesus paid a debt for us that we could not have paid on our own. His death and resurrection provides the opportunity of redemption and fellowship with God.

The transformation of a building is, in a sense, a metaphor for redemption. We have been repurposing a number of former Walmarts, Ashley Furniture warehouses and strip centers. They were sitting empty and decaying when we partnered with churches to transform them into places of ministry and worship – to, essentially, redeem them. Bringing new life to these facilities can be a powerful image for a community. It’s a contextual solution with minimal environmental impact. The redemption of a facility that in turn serves the community.

But the real redemption of the facility can only be done through its use. The space is redeemed by the activities that take place in the space it. When we connect with the spiritual through prayer or song or scripture or service, we redeem the space, wherever we are. Space becomes sacred not through physical geography, but through spiritual proximity. This has happened in a big way in Athens, GA. Athens Church, a North Point strategic partner, is committed to be a church that people unfamiliar or uncomfortable with “church” can attend. Athens Church is bringing the gospel of redemption to the people of Athens because…

Athens Church loves Athens!

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” (I Peter 1:18 & 19)