ROCKYVIEW ALLIANCE CHURCH BUILDING PROGRAM

Being the pastor of a church with a building program was a first for me.  In all my years of pastoral ministry, Rockyview Alliance Church was the only church building program that I experienced.  Once we hired a Calgary architect, plans began to move more quickly.  In July 1978 we had a ground breaking service on the five acre property. Most ground breaking ceremonies usually have two or three people with spades in hand, turning a spade full of soil.  I suggested to the board that since we lived in Calgary that we find an old plow.  The elders became the team pulling the plow and I held the handles of the plow.  I even wore a white stetson, which the wind blew off before we were finished. 


We had a consulting firm that guided us in our stewardship program.  A kick-off banquet was held launching our building program with the theme "Together We Build."  We raised thousands of dollars, securing a mortgage for the balance.  Newsletters kept the congregation informed.  A visitation program was put in place, contacting the members and adherents, explaining our progress and inviting them to become involved.  A general contractor was hired to build the entire project.

Construction winter 1978 - 1979

A vast majority of the congregation made a financial pledge.  This was entirely a faith pledge.  One member shared with me that since his income was uncertain, because his income was entirely the result of sales, that he had to set a faith goal for his income.  He shared that God had blessed him beyond what he had hoped that after making his first faith pledge, he increased his faith pledge twice that year.  All in all, the building program was an exciting time and really bonded us together as a church family.

Wes Klassen & Brian Goldsmith painting dumpster fence 

Practically there were work bees, the biggest one being the painting.  All of the interior painting was done by the congregation.  The lower level, basement, was finished by men and women of the church.  A thorough cleaning was done throughout before our opening day.


 Church Lobby

                                                       






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