Thursday, August 25, 2011

Building update 1

Met with Brian and Peter today. Brian is the guy that is helping us through the Conditional Use Permit process. Peter is the architect that is helping us design the space to code and to it's best possible use. Both have offered to help us at reduced rates, and for that we say "thank God".

Brian gave me a list of forms to fill out, which I will get on quickly. Peter and Brian are meeting with a city building inspector on Tuesday to make sure that fire codes and building locations are all good. Pray that we don't have fire sprinkler issues or nearby tenant conflicts. If all goes forward without any glitches, Brian said we should be able to complete the process in 4 months. That would make it our Christmas present from God.

So you ask, "what can I do?" thanks for asking.
1. I should get the keys tomorrow and we will start moving stuff over next week. If you can help out next week let me know. Many hands make light the work.

2. If you can financially help out that would also be appreciated. Thanks to those who have already stepped up and given above and beyond their normal giving.

3. If you haven't been giving consistently, then this month would be a good time to start making that commitment to honor God and help our church with your tithes and offerings

4. We have started what I am calling "The Call". This is each of us living out Matthew 18:19-20 19 “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” When you feel the call to prayer, ask someone to join you. And let's begin to claim and call down Gods blessings and promises on our church.

5. Lastly, it is no secret that times have been tough over the last few years. If you have been affected and have lost your passion and energy and momentum. Then join me in this prayer:

Disturb us, Lord, when
We are too well pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true
Because we have dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely
Because we sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, Lord, when
With the abundance of things we possess
We have lost our thirst
For the waters of life;
Having fallen in love with life,
We have ceased to dream of eternity
And in our efforts to build a new earth,
We have allowed our vision
Of the new Heaven to dim.

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wider seas
Where storms will show your mastery;
Where losing sight of land,
We shall find the stars.

We ask You to push back
The horizons of our hopes;
And to push into the future
In strength, courage, hope, and love.

-- Sir Francis Drake (1540 - 1596)

Come on Now Church, will you join me?

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

The Conditional Use Permit Process

So this week begins the process of obtaining a "Conditional Use Permit" from the city of San Diego. This process is one that every religious organization that plans to hold events where groups of people assemble must apply for. It takes between 4-6 months and will cost in the neighborhood of $8,000.

To help us expedite the process of obtaining the CUP as fast as possible we are going to hire a permit company (Permit Solutions) to assist us. This assistance will cost $1,000-1,500
But, their help should save us time. We are also hiring an architect to assist us in coming up with a good layout and to provide the drawings necessary for the CUP.

As I stated on Sunday I hope to obtain the CUP before the end of the year so we can begin the process of remodeling the buildings to meet our needs.


Starting next week we will begin the process of moving all of our stuff over to the new facility. We will totally vacate the Stowe Dr location at the end of this month. If you have time next week and would like to help, let me know.

Thanks Family Life for your prayers and patience. I have sensed that God wanted us to find a more permanent location for some time now. I can not say I thought it would be this difficult, but I knew its what God was pushing me to stay focussed on and I know that God is faithful. So with confidence and faith we have journeyed through the ups and downs and now find ourselves one CUP away from that pursuit becoming a reality. PRAISE GOD!

Friday, August 5, 2011

Update on Building

Well we are getting close to signing a deal to lease space at 9899 Hibert St Suites C,D and F in the Scripps Ranch area. I have loaded a picture of the current layout of the 2 suites we will be taking over.
As I wrote in my last blog, the tough part of any deal for a church is structuring a lease that will allow them to get out of the deal if the city does not issue a Conditional Use Permit.
If we sign the current offer we will have up to 6 months to obtain the CUP. During that time we will be moving out of the offices on Stowe Dr and relocating to this new space. During this 6 month period we will be paying a reduced lease rate and working hard to obtain the Conditional Use Permit ASAP. Hopefully within 3-4 months.
The last few years seaching and negotiating for a permanant church space has sure been a learning experience. I'll be writing more about that in the upcoming months. But, suffice to say, "God is good all the time"!
Keep praying Family Life!