Recommendation to Purchase Property
- Dr. Tom Ricks
- May 28, 2010
May 28, 2010
Dear GTCC Spiritual Family,
Since Greentree’s inception in 1997, being a “church without walls” has been our approach to ministry. This commitment enabled us to establish a wide range of significant ministry opportunities such as 20:28 Serve Our City, short-term mission trips, the Cares ministry, a dynamic Children’s ministry and Harvest Party. This stewardship decision has allowed us to actively support the Kirkwood School District through after school tutoring, Christmas gifts, school supplies and meals for teachers on in-service days. Up to this point in our history, leasing rather than owning a building has served Greentree well.
Approximately two years ago, the leadership of the church began discussions about our future with an eye on the long-term sustainability of Greentree Community Church. As elders we committed ourselves to two goals: purposefully raising up the next generation of leadership and evaluating GTCC’s facility needs in the next 20-25 years. As you probably know, the first goal is being met as many younger and emerging leaders are taking on more and more ministry responsibility at GTCC. I am so thankful to pastor a church that has such strong leadership and a host of outstanding young leaders ready to take up the mantle.
The second goal has also come under close scrutiny. During this time it has become more and more apparent that the Bulldog Cafeteria at NKMS is problematic as a long-term worship location for GTCC. Both structurally and technically, the age of the room and logistical challenges are a consistent strain on staff and volunteers. In response, we entered into a discussion with the Kirkwood School Board about the possibility of partnering with them for a new multi-purpose room on the campus of NKMS. However, while both parties expressed genuine interest, a practical way to accomplish this could not be found.
As elders we continued to pray and simply keep our eyes and ears open for other options. Though we have always valued having a presence in the heart of Kirkwood, we never believed it would be wise stewardship to purchase property downtown and construct a building from the ground up since conservative estimates for such a project range from $12-15 million. An undertaking of this magnitude would simply be outside the reach of a congregation the size of GTCC. Therefore, we have been content to lease worship, office, and ministry space and patiently wait on God’s leading in some of these pressing facility issues.
Two months ago we were approached by a local commercial real estate group informing us that 440 North Kirkwood Road (the property presently housing the Alpine Shop) would soon be on the market. The asking price for the property and building was just over $2.5 million dollars. (Alpine Shop is a tenant; they do not own the property.) The elders met, and after discussion, tendered a letter of intent (LOI) to purchase the property. This LOI did not in any way commit GTCC to purchase the property, but simply served as a notice to the seller that we had serious interest and wanted time to explore the possible acquisition. Our letter of intent was accepted, and over the last few weeks we have been researching the potential fit for this location as a ministry / worship / office home for GTCC. In this initial process, the elders authorized Tom Ricks, Jeff Mugg, Tom Holley and Kevin Voss to evaluate and determine if this potential property could be a good fit for GTCC. This group of four took the following steps:
- Engaged a local architect in a space feasibility study to answer the question, “Would we fit?” The answer: We could renovate the building to accommodate a 600 seat, state of the art worship center, plus all of our office space and ministry space for adult classes, children’s ministry and student programs. In short, we could do everything we presently do and more with this space. The study also revealed that the property contains sufficient parking; therefore, we would not need to ask the City for a parking variance.
- Conducted a preliminary study of the cost, especially since one of our chief areas of concern is good stewardship. Presently, we spend approximately $260K annually on all of our facility rental needs. The estimate for the purchase and renovation of 440 North Kirkwood is $6.5 million. This means we will actually be much better stewards of our resources if we purchase and refurbish this property in lieu of continuing to lease space.
Having answered the questions of feasibility and costs, our final discussion centered on philosophy of ministry. Should we move into a permanent space in downtown Kirkwood? The idea may make good financial sense, but if our ministry is not enhanced and strengthened, it would be a mistake. The session unanimously agreed that our ministry will be well served with expanded opportunities by being a long-term presence in the heart of our community.
Given this information, where are we today? As of Thursday, May 27, 2010, we have entered into a contractual agreement with the seller to purchase the property. This does not mean the final decision to obtain 440 North Kirkwood has been made. There are several contingencies that must first be met, the most important of which is the approval of the purchase by the congregation. In our form of church government, only the congregation has the right to make this decision. Up to this point, the elders and staff have simply been representing what we believe to be actions in the best interest of GTCC. We have done the initial leg work in order to bring you the best option possible.
To this end, I am calling two congregational meetings in the next few weeks. The first meeting will be on Wednesday, June 9, 7:00 PM at The Lodge Des Peres. The purpose of this meeting is for the congregation to hear our presentation and recommendation regarding this property. There will be a wide range of discussion points as well as time for any questions you may have.
The second congregational meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 16, 7:00 PM, again at The Lodge Des Peres. The purpose of this meeting is to vote on the elders’ recommendation that we purchase and renovate this property in order to develop a ministry center for GTCC. During the seven days between these two meetings, the elders are calling the congregation to a week of prayer and fasting. It is our strong desire to follow the Lord Jesus in this opportunity, and we must cover this process with prayer.
A letter like this raises more questions than answers. Therefore, this Sunday morning, May 30, between services, I will be available in the Library for your questions and comments.
I look forward to our conversations in the next few weeks as we learn more about this exciting opportunity. Over the next week or so, please check our website for updates and more information. Finally, please mark your calendars for our congregational meetings and let us be in prayer about this process.
On Behalf of the Elders of GTCC & Only By His Grace,
Tom
