Today we closed on a mortgage refinancing our existing property at 144th and Zuni. The loan is being underwritten by a local bank – Summit Bank and Trust. The journey out of our old mortgage and into a new one has been a long one with many unanticipated twists and turns. At the end of the journey is an often dreaded ritual – the closing.
Kevin is a Vice President of Summit Bank. He joined up with us on this journey back in November. Adiel Brasov met Kevin and began to discuss our emerging need for a financial partner in this audacious enterprise. Kevin decided to investigate this church, meeting in rented facilities, unaffiliated with a major denomination to see where his bank’s money would potentially be going. Apparently, he must have decided that Discovery wasn’t too crazy, and that we really had a great opportunity in front of us in this piece of undeveloped land. As we left his office today, he told us he would be back to visit us again. That was reaffirming.
Summit Bank and Trust is a small and growing financial institution. They have branches in Broomfield, Westminster, and Erie – with plans for more. We worked hard today to convince them that they should have a branch location at 144th and Zuni. We know of a nice piece of dirt that would be just right for them.
About two years ago our real estate agent, Liz Law-Evans, introduced us to a local developer named Scott. Scott had been the developer on a project that Liz was involved in, and she came away very impressed. Liz thought Scott, and his development partner Neil, would be a great team to work with on the Discovery property as well. We had several conversations with Scott and Neil, and we came away very impressed also. They liked our property, the location, the vision we had for it – they were exciting conversations. In the end, however; the timing just wasn’t right and Scott and Neil had other projects they needed to focus on, so everyone went their separate ways.
You will never guess who is on the board of directors for Summit Bank and Trust – Scott and Neil. When Kevin took our loan package to his board for approval – Discovery already had a couple of friends there. Kevin told us this today at the closing. It was really comforting to know we had made some friends along the way.
It would be easy to say that it is a small world – that it should be no surprise since we have been talking to developer and banks talk to developers that there would naturally be common connection. It would be so easy to assume that it is natural for our networks to overlap. We even commented in the closing about the small world we live in.
Maybe the reason our world seemed so small today is because God is so big!
His generosity, evidenced through people stepping out on faith to pledge and give toward the success of this audacious endeavor, is huge. His faithfulness to a small, unaffiliated church meeting in a rented school building is overwhelming to me. His mercies are unending. His love endures forever. To live in a small world, in the capable hands of a big God - that is most reassuring!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Monday, November 5, 2007
Loan Application...again
I just finished filling out a loan application. It is for the same lender who financed the original purchase of our property at 144th and Zuni in 2004.
The nature of applications is to acquire lots of data by asking lots of questions. The lender is trying to establish how much risk they would be exposed to if they loan you money for your endeavor. They evaluate that risk from many different angles.
Answering these questions made me think back on the history of this project. It is extremely humbling to think of the selfless contributions of so many people who have made this endeavor possible. Tim Dally (the founding pastor of Discovery), the orignial members of the land search team, Mike Emmert (the real estate consultant with CDF who contributed his invaluable knowledge and experience to move us along on this journey), the volunteers who organized and ran our initial capital funds drive, and many more.
It is relatively easy to ask questions about revenue and attendance and leadership structures to evaluate the "risk" involved in loaning money to a church to build a facility. It is safe and scientific to "run the numbers" and arrive at loan-to-value scenarios that work for the lender and borrower. Any prudent lender does this well, and a wise borrower understands the importance of knowing the fiscal dangers of borrowed money.
The difficult thing to evaluate in a loan application are the intangibles that are inherent in a faith-based organization. What question can you ask to obtain a loyalty factor, or a determination quotiant? Where is the formula to figure out motivation and drive? And most importantly, how do you calculate the amount of faith it takes to bridge the gap between what people can do together, and what only God can do?
Jesus once said that a mustard seed-sized quatity of faith could cause a mountain to be moved. I hope that when we run the numbers we are one mustard seed short. Seeing a mountain move would be an awesome experience.
The nature of applications is to acquire lots of data by asking lots of questions. The lender is trying to establish how much risk they would be exposed to if they loan you money for your endeavor. They evaluate that risk from many different angles.
Answering these questions made me think back on the history of this project. It is extremely humbling to think of the selfless contributions of so many people who have made this endeavor possible. Tim Dally (the founding pastor of Discovery), the orignial members of the land search team, Mike Emmert (the real estate consultant with CDF who contributed his invaluable knowledge and experience to move us along on this journey), the volunteers who organized and ran our initial capital funds drive, and many more.
It is relatively easy to ask questions about revenue and attendance and leadership structures to evaluate the "risk" involved in loaning money to a church to build a facility. It is safe and scientific to "run the numbers" and arrive at loan-to-value scenarios that work for the lender and borrower. Any prudent lender does this well, and a wise borrower understands the importance of knowing the fiscal dangers of borrowed money.
The difficult thing to evaluate in a loan application are the intangibles that are inherent in a faith-based organization. What question can you ask to obtain a loyalty factor, or a determination quotiant? Where is the formula to figure out motivation and drive? And most importantly, how do you calculate the amount of faith it takes to bridge the gap between what people can do together, and what only God can do?
Jesus once said that a mustard seed-sized quatity of faith could cause a mountain to be moved. I hope that when we run the numbers we are one mustard seed short. Seeing a mountain move would be an awesome experience.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Pastor, do I have a deal for you...
This entry is actually from a guest writer, the lead pastor of Discovery Church and my persistant partner in this noble endeavor, Steve Cuss. He expresses some mutual feelings in this posting...
Late last week, my trusty 12 year old Passat started to give me hints that a new clutch would be in order soon. The clutch bearing is getting loose, which transmits right through the pedal to a non commital spongy sensation in my foot. The dilmena is simple: do I drop $1000 new clutch into a car worth $1800 and risk something else going wrong tomorrow, or do I spend $7000 or so into a used car now? Well, I'm not sure which way I'll go yet, but I've stopped by three car dealers of dubious variety to test drive what $7000 buys now days, which isn't a lot. Used car dealers have an earned reputation and two out of these three dealers did not dissapoint. They were aggressive, pushy, obnoxious and determined to get me into a new set of wheels before I left the lot. One of them even chased after me into the parking lot. "Mr Cuss, what do we need to do to earn your business today," he shouted as I drove away...
But its what you expect. It goes with the territory. I have an agenda of test driving cars to see if I want to buy one. They have the agenda of making as much money from me as they can. That's business, pure and simple.
Having worked in various ways on our land and building project for two years now, I have come to conclude that Christian business is seriously flawed. In "Christian" business, everyone claims that their agenda is always, always in my best interest. Everyone claims that they have some secret knowledge/connection/discount/money that people in the rest of the world don't have access to. In Christian business, people are comfortable being pushy, obnoxious and aggressive because they claim that they are serving me/our church/God's Kingdom.
As a pastor, I'd like to come clean. I'm sick of it. I'm tired of dealing in "Christian" business. To be concise, I've dealt with many Christians who are also business people, and with some exceptions, I have no beef with them. Its the folks who push their business as a "Kingdom" business designed for my benefit. With those folks, I have run out of patience. The cynical part of me wonders how many of them have discovered that there is a ton of money to be made from churches, and just enough wide eyed innocent pastors to go around.
I am no longer one of them.
You see, word is out that our church is looking to build. I'm getting cold calls from technicians, architects, finance companies, owner's reps, contractors. All of these folks have other folks they want to put me in touch with....right away....as if my soul somehow depends on it. In the early days, I took many of those meetings and I would patiently listen to the same buzz words over and over again: creative financing, out of the box development, scalable design, and the best buzz word of all: value engineering.
Give me a break. Give me a business man or woman who's intent is to provide a quality product or service at a reasonable cost. Let them compete against others for our dollars. Let's keep it at that, can we? If that person happens to be a Christian, great! But please, no more of the Christian Business approach. No more talk of serving the Kingdom when I know you're making a profit - the very profit you are entitled to simply because you are in business. No more talk of my interests or helping our church with some unique approach that isn't unique at all. We're trying to build a church here and you're too much of a distraction.
Late last week, my trusty 12 year old Passat started to give me hints that a new clutch would be in order soon. The clutch bearing is getting loose, which transmits right through the pedal to a non commital spongy sensation in my foot. The dilmena is simple: do I drop $1000 new clutch into a car worth $1800 and risk something else going wrong tomorrow, or do I spend $7000 or so into a used car now? Well, I'm not sure which way I'll go yet, but I've stopped by three car dealers of dubious variety to test drive what $7000 buys now days, which isn't a lot. Used car dealers have an earned reputation and two out of these three dealers did not dissapoint. They were aggressive, pushy, obnoxious and determined to get me into a new set of wheels before I left the lot. One of them even chased after me into the parking lot. "Mr Cuss, what do we need to do to earn your business today," he shouted as I drove away...
But its what you expect. It goes with the territory. I have an agenda of test driving cars to see if I want to buy one. They have the agenda of making as much money from me as they can. That's business, pure and simple.
Having worked in various ways on our land and building project for two years now, I have come to conclude that Christian business is seriously flawed. In "Christian" business, everyone claims that their agenda is always, always in my best interest. Everyone claims that they have some secret knowledge/connection/discount/money that people in the rest of the world don't have access to. In Christian business, people are comfortable being pushy, obnoxious and aggressive because they claim that they are serving me/our church/God's Kingdom.
As a pastor, I'd like to come clean. I'm sick of it. I'm tired of dealing in "Christian" business. To be concise, I've dealt with many Christians who are also business people, and with some exceptions, I have no beef with them. Its the folks who push their business as a "Kingdom" business designed for my benefit. With those folks, I have run out of patience. The cynical part of me wonders how many of them have discovered that there is a ton of money to be made from churches, and just enough wide eyed innocent pastors to go around.
I am no longer one of them.
You see, word is out that our church is looking to build. I'm getting cold calls from technicians, architects, finance companies, owner's reps, contractors. All of these folks have other folks they want to put me in touch with....right away....as if my soul somehow depends on it. In the early days, I took many of those meetings and I would patiently listen to the same buzz words over and over again: creative financing, out of the box development, scalable design, and the best buzz word of all: value engineering.
Give me a break. Give me a business man or woman who's intent is to provide a quality product or service at a reasonable cost. Let them compete against others for our dollars. Let's keep it at that, can we? If that person happens to be a Christian, great! But please, no more of the Christian Business approach. No more talk of serving the Kingdom when I know you're making a profit - the very profit you are entitled to simply because you are in business. No more talk of my interests or helping our church with some unique approach that isn't unique at all. We're trying to build a church here and you're too much of a distraction.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Lunch with Glen…
I had the opportunity to take a WWII veteran to lunch today. Glen is 80-something years old and has a job as a security person in the office building where I work. He brought a photo album of his battleship, the U.S.S. North Carolina. His ship provided naval firepower during the Battle of Iwo Jima. An aircraft carrier in his group was struck by a kamikaze plane. Their ship was at sea for 138 days without seeing land. Glen actually shook hands with FDR. It was fascinating to hear his stories and know that this was someone who served our country in the defining conflict of the last century.
Glen was in Japan for the signing of the surrender that ended the war aboard the North Carolina. However, in spite of her wartime accomplishments the North Carolina was not chosen as the stage for the signing of the final surrender of the War in the Pacific. The newly commissioned U.S.S. Missouri was chosen for that honor. This ship had arrived in the Pacific Theater in December of 1944 – only 9 months before the fighting ended. Glen said that the crew of the North Carolina was more than a little bit jealous.
It is easy to feel jealous of those who have accomplished something that you have desired yourself. It's hard to see others reach the finish line before you. I have personally turned a little green when other church projects receive approval, complete construction, and open their doors while we wait for our turn. To correct my misguided emotions it is important to be reminded that the success of other churches is a win for the Kingdom. The ultimate final surrender is still being negotiated, and the stage will be irrelevant. All will know, all will see and all will bow to Jesus Christ our Lord.
Glen was in Japan for the signing of the surrender that ended the war aboard the North Carolina. However, in spite of her wartime accomplishments the North Carolina was not chosen as the stage for the signing of the final surrender of the War in the Pacific. The newly commissioned U.S.S. Missouri was chosen for that honor. This ship had arrived in the Pacific Theater in December of 1944 – only 9 months before the fighting ended. Glen said that the crew of the North Carolina was more than a little bit jealous.
It is easy to feel jealous of those who have accomplished something that you have desired yourself. It's hard to see others reach the finish line before you. I have personally turned a little green when other church projects receive approval, complete construction, and open their doors while we wait for our turn. To correct my misguided emotions it is important to be reminded that the success of other churches is a win for the Kingdom. The ultimate final surrender is still being negotiated, and the stage will be irrelevant. All will know, all will see and all will bow to Jesus Christ our Lord.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
There Goes the Neighborhood…
On our journey from portable to permanent we have met a number of people along the way. Some of those people live in the immediate vicinity of where we plan to construct a church facility. Some of those people are concerned about the impacts a project like this will have on their neighborhood and their way of life. Can you blame them?
As in many growing communities, churches have no place that is set aside specifically for them. They are not welcome in areas set aside for commercial or industrial uses. They are typically competing for land that is at the edges of residential development and along major traffic corridors. This land-use scenario often brings churches into conflict with residential neighbors who have concerns about traffic, noise and light, and other impacts of the operation of church in their neighborhood. These are the very same neighbors the church is hoping to serve in their new location.
Since the conflict is inevitable, the best hope for peaceful church/neighborhood relationships is found through open dialogue. This dialogue can bring a perspective to the project that may be lacking from the church’s vantage point. It is an opportunity to rub elbows and learn from each other.
Of course, there can be unreasonable expectations. There are always the proverbial N.I.M.B.Ys (Not In My Back Yard). However, it should not be assumed that anyone who voices a concern over scope, scale, sight and sound is an enemy. They may be a constructive critic who deserves to be heard.
By the way – a “for sale” sign just went up on the property adjacent to my back yard. You can bet I’ll be keeping an eye out for developments – and raising my voice if necessary to protect my sight lines and noise levels.
As in many growing communities, churches have no place that is set aside specifically for them. They are not welcome in areas set aside for commercial or industrial uses. They are typically competing for land that is at the edges of residential development and along major traffic corridors. This land-use scenario often brings churches into conflict with residential neighbors who have concerns about traffic, noise and light, and other impacts of the operation of church in their neighborhood. These are the very same neighbors the church is hoping to serve in their new location.
Since the conflict is inevitable, the best hope for peaceful church/neighborhood relationships is found through open dialogue. This dialogue can bring a perspective to the project that may be lacking from the church’s vantage point. It is an opportunity to rub elbows and learn from each other.
Of course, there can be unreasonable expectations. There are always the proverbial N.I.M.B.Ys (Not In My Back Yard). However, it should not be assumed that anyone who voices a concern over scope, scale, sight and sound is an enemy. They may be a constructive critic who deserves to be heard.
By the way – a “for sale” sign just went up on the property adjacent to my back yard. You can bet I’ll be keeping an eye out for developments – and raising my voice if necessary to protect my sight lines and noise levels.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Anti-Church Bias…
Are communities really against having churches build, grow and prosper in their midst? If so, is it because they are “anti-church”? Over the past 13 years I have been involved in a number of conversations about this topic. In many of these conversations local governments and community groups have been portrayed as being an obstacle, if not an enemy, to the “work of the Kingdom” as represented in a church’s desire to buy land, build, or expand a facility to accommodate growth in attendance. Is this an actual reality in our culture, or is it the overactive imagination of hassled church leaders?
In two different instances, in two different states I have had very positive interactions with the local AHJ (Authorities Having Jurisdiction). Based on these experiences, I offer up a couple of thoughts. The first is that church leaders need to better understand the role of local governments in making decisions about land use, zoning, community development and growth. Churches contemplating land purchases or building projects can avoid a lot of issues by starting discussions with local government officials. Planning departments, zoning officers, and development directors have a major stake in any land-use project proposed in their community. Every community has a process for gaining approval for these types of projects. Learning what the process looks like and making efforts to work within the process can help create good will, and help with the success of the project.
It is no secret that most churches do not have vast financial resources at their disposal when they are looking to buy or build. Resource allocation is a challenge as everyone looks to get the maximum return for their dollar. Making sure that an appropriate amount of resources (time and money) are set aside to participate fully in the community planning and approval process can pay big dividends.
Are there reasons why local governments seem to be less than enthusiastic about church projects? Tax revenue is certainly a factor. Churches are a tax revenue drain on a community. They pay no property taxes and generate no sales tax revenue, while requiring government services and infrastructure. However, most local officials understand that churches provide a “service” to the community that is positive and appreciated by many citizens. More often than not, local government officials have had negative experiences with church projects that are poorly planned and combative in nature.
At the beginning of this project we received some very helpful advice from a seasoned real estate professional. We have met with city officials and planning staff on many occasions and are committed to taking a prepared, professional approach to the approval process. We look forward to a day when Discovery’s project will be approved in a vote by the city council. I’m not sure they will all be “pro-church” but we can do our part to help make their job as painless as possible.
Next Post – There goes the Neighborhood!
In two different instances, in two different states I have had very positive interactions with the local AHJ (Authorities Having Jurisdiction). Based on these experiences, I offer up a couple of thoughts. The first is that church leaders need to better understand the role of local governments in making decisions about land use, zoning, community development and growth. Churches contemplating land purchases or building projects can avoid a lot of issues by starting discussions with local government officials. Planning departments, zoning officers, and development directors have a major stake in any land-use project proposed in their community. Every community has a process for gaining approval for these types of projects. Learning what the process looks like and making efforts to work within the process can help create good will, and help with the success of the project.
It is no secret that most churches do not have vast financial resources at their disposal when they are looking to buy or build. Resource allocation is a challenge as everyone looks to get the maximum return for their dollar. Making sure that an appropriate amount of resources (time and money) are set aside to participate fully in the community planning and approval process can pay big dividends.
Are there reasons why local governments seem to be less than enthusiastic about church projects? Tax revenue is certainly a factor. Churches are a tax revenue drain on a community. They pay no property taxes and generate no sales tax revenue, while requiring government services and infrastructure. However, most local officials understand that churches provide a “service” to the community that is positive and appreciated by many citizens. More often than not, local government officials have had negative experiences with church projects that are poorly planned and combative in nature.
At the beginning of this project we received some very helpful advice from a seasoned real estate professional. We have met with city officials and planning staff on many occasions and are committed to taking a prepared, professional approach to the approval process. We look forward to a day when Discovery’s project will be approved in a vote by the city council. I’m not sure they will all be “pro-church” but we can do our part to help make their job as painless as possible.
Next Post – There goes the Neighborhood!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Planning…
Planning is a huge part of my job. I just left a planning meeting with key stakeholders I am working on for the company who employs me. I said that, “I would rather spend the time now to get it right than to spend more time trying to fix it later.” The other people in the meeting laughed and said they felt the same way.
Chances are there will still be something we will need to fix later. There always is. Not even the wisest among us can see all ends, and the most patient among us still longs to move forward. Planning is important, but it does not get the project done.
We have spent years planning a facility for our church. We began planning before we ever purchased the property. We continued planning after we closed the real estate deal. We deal with a department of the city government called the “planning” department. We even have our own planner assigned to this project. Sometimes it seems like all we do is plan. We do want to spend the time now to get it right. We don’t want to have to fix it later. However; even the most patient among us wants to move it forward.
That time is coming. So is Jesus. Some days I wonder which one will get here first. Most days I believe the we will. Although I’m pretty sure it would be OK if I were wrong.
Chances are there will still be something we will need to fix later. There always is. Not even the wisest among us can see all ends, and the most patient among us still longs to move forward. Planning is important, but it does not get the project done.
We have spent years planning a facility for our church. We began planning before we ever purchased the property. We continued planning after we closed the real estate deal. We deal with a department of the city government called the “planning” department. We even have our own planner assigned to this project. Sometimes it seems like all we do is plan. We do want to spend the time now to get it right. We don’t want to have to fix it later. However; even the most patient among us wants to move it forward.
That time is coming. So is Jesus. Some days I wonder which one will get here first. Most days I believe the we will. Although I’m pretty sure it would be OK if I were wrong.
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