By: Mandy Henkel

This is not the first building addition I’ve been a part of, but it is the first that I am old enough to realize the impact a venture such as this can make on a congregation. I grew up in the Twin Cities and attended my family’s Lutheran Church until I left for college. When I say “my family’s” I mean that about 2/3 of the congregation was related to me. However, over time this changed. So did the needs of the congregation. St. John’s Lutheran Church is one of those very traditional German, brick built buildings with the tall steeple. Very picturesque, but not very ‘user friendly’. Considering that the bathrooms were in a separate building about 100 yards from the church. Needless to say, it became a need of that congregation to have the church office, bathrooms and an extra room added on to the existing church building. They pursued a similar path as we have done; poling the needs of the congregation, studying those needs and ultimately voting to go ahead with the project. Plans were then drawn up with several different options for a layout while maintaining the picturesque facade (similar to what we have encountered at FUMC).

Here is where the situation took a turn, the fundraising. Many typical fundraising events were held, bake sales, potlucks, garage sales, tee-shirt sales, even memorial Christmas ornaments. But none raised as much funds as the stewardship requests made to individuals of the church. Perhaps there was funds given in memory of loved ones or in honor of someones family or as a gift to the church that had provided so much to an individual during their time of need. What I found disturbing, and frankly quite eye-opening, were the individuals who chose to give to that church addition ONLY if their name was on it, or their floor plan was used, or they got to make the decorating decisions (these are actual examples of stipulations put on donations). Unfortunately, the church was unable to accommodate such requests and the donations suffered. The congregation did not give up, they persevered.

I believe that outside of usual common-sense decisions, it doesn’t matter what the floor plan looks like or where a window is placed. What matters is that we use our addition to its fullest capacity. I see adult bible studies, new member classes and team meetings taking place at the same time. Imagine several rooms being used at once for choir practices. Or simultaneously accommodating a baby shower in the Fellowship Hall and a bridal shower in the new addition. Quilters could be working while the hand bells practice and a prayer class meets. Maybe even childcare during church services. Having a larger facility like this may create new community outreach opportunities or a new meeting place for clubs or groups. What would you like to see in our addition? How would you use the new space? How could you grow in your spirituality along with the growth of our building?

St. John’s Lutheran Church was able to make the most of their addition. The building project was completed; it took over 5 years from the idea to fruition. The congregation has since tripled in size, they have remodeled their fellowship building and now host a preschool in there for added income to the church. I’ll be honest, that church was literally dying. If they had not proceeded with their addition, the building was scheduled to go on the State Historic schedule. With the faith of their church family and generous hearts of those who gave whatever they could give, they were able to not just stay alive, but grow their building physically while growing spirituality of the congregation.