Building Proposal
Building Proposal for Cross of Grace
Since Cross of Grace Church regularly meets in the Chaska Community Center, people often wonder if we desire to have a permanent building. The short answer is a qualified “yes”. We desire to have a permanent church facility, but only as it would help fulfill the gospel mission of making disciples of Jesus.
The church is not a building. The church is a people – God’s people gathering to worship Him and serve His people.
We “...like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5)
“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” (Romans 12:4-5)
“And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.” (Colossians 1:18)
Starting in December 2021, we began praying in earnest and seeking God’s direction on the possibility of a permanent church facility. In January 2022, we secured the services of a commercial real estate broker. At that time, we visited a church building that was for sale and determined that it was not a good fit for us. In September, at our annual member meeting, we shared this possibility with the church and asked you to pray, inquire of the Lord, and share what you would be willing to pledge. And you responded!
Your faith in this is an immense display of trust and hope in God for the mission at Cross of Grace. Considering the percentage of participation in pledging and the total amount of contributions - we can discern that it seems good and is our desire to move forward in faith with pursuing a church facility. This is wonderful news to share!
A few details:
The church is not a building. The church is a people – God’s people gathering to worship Him and serve His people.
We “...like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5)
“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” (Romans 12:4-5)
“And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.” (Colossians 1:18)
Starting in December 2021, we began praying in earnest and seeking God’s direction on the possibility of a permanent church facility. In January 2022, we secured the services of a commercial real estate broker. At that time, we visited a church building that was for sale and determined that it was not a good fit for us. In September, at our annual member meeting, we shared this possibility with the church and asked you to pray, inquire of the Lord, and share what you would be willing to pledge. And you responded!
Your faith in this is an immense display of trust and hope in God for the mission at Cross of Grace. Considering the percentage of participation in pledging and the total amount of contributions - we can discern that it seems good and is our desire to move forward in faith with pursuing a church facility. This is wonderful news to share!
A few details:
- 84 % of all households pledged.
- The total sum of the “first-fruits” initial pledge with the entire pledge (sum) committed to giving over 2 years, has totaled $240,000.
- We are exploring a possible addition to this from current undesignated funds in savings, approximately $150-200k, which could equal a total of $440,000 toward a facility.
Based on our current pledges and savings, we believe leasing and building out an existing building is our best course of action. We estimate we need 15,000 - 20,000 sq. ft. for the ministries we want to do and the maximum size we would grow before planting a church.
Where we’re at right now:
Where we’re at right now:
- We continue to have a commercial real estate broker looking for properties to lease within our area.
- The pastors have met with the Chaska city planner to discuss opportunities in Chaska, specifically considering the option of becoming a permanent long-term lease-hold tenant in the upcoming large-scale renovation of the Chaska Community Center.
Please, continue to pray and seek the Lord for direction. We trust the Lord will guide us in His good timing and His plan for a location/property.