Building Renovation
Awhile back, with feedback from various members of the congregation, the elders realized that first-time visitors were struggling as they arrived at church. They didn’t know where to park, where to enter, and where to go once inside. We have five entrances, and none of them is obviously the main entrance. We don’t want those we are trying to reach with the good news of Jesus Christ to experience unnecessary frustration or anxiety.
This project is not merely a matter of taking care of our building, though we do want to be good stewards of the things God has entrusted to us and we do want to glorify Him by reflecting the beauty of His creation in the way we care for these things. It’s about mission. Our mission is to spread the good news of Jesus Christ so that Bethel, North Dallas, and the world grow in Him. We want to invite friends and family to come and grow with us in the joy we’ve found in Christ, and we want them to feel welcomed from the moment they arrive. It’s also about ministry. There is nothing special about a building, but we do believe that something very special happens here, when God gathers us together for worship. This is where Christ works by the Spirit! The weekly gathering of His people is the primary avenue through which Christ continues the good work He has begun in us, sustaining us, growing our awareness of the magnitude of His love, and filling us with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:18-19). He does this through the preaching of the gospel, which He visibly confirms by the sacraments (baptism and the Lord’s Supper), all as we prayerfully seek His grace in our lives. The church building just happens to be where Christ is doing this wonderful work, and we want our building to help us communicate just how special what He’s doing is.
Please be patient with us as we do this work for the glory of God and His love for all He’s saving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why are we doing this?
A. Our motivations are:
1. To glorify God and reflect His beauty
2. To make disciples by retaining more visitors
3. To encourage members and volunteers (we take their worship and work seriously)
Q. What are we doing? What's the scope?
A. Although the entire scope is not fully realized due to copious amounts of value engineering. We are committed to updating the parking lot, new striping, updated wayfinding (indoors and outdoors), a new sitting area in our foyer, updated coffee bar, and much more!
Q. Why is the south parking lot blocked off?
A. By consolidating to a single main entrance, we believe it will streamline access and reduce confusion. Clear signage will guide everyone to the correct entry point, improving both convenience and security. Fewer entry points mean better oversight, which enhances overall safety.
Q. Are there other parking lot changes?
A. YES! We will have additional handicap parking, specific visitor parking, and parking for families with small children. Having dedicated visitor parking will ensure visitors find the main entrance and are guided to resources to help them feel as comfortable as possible. Parking for families with small children helps ease a stressful time during arrival and helps our future grow!
Q. Where can I park?
A. Use this Google Maps overlay to see new parking area! The South and East parking lots will be coned off and inaccessible.
Q. When will construction start? When will it end?
A. We've already started! Planning on completion in September! Work outdoors (parking, landscaping) will be completed much earlier!
Q. Why are we not redoing X or updating Y?
A. The building renovation team is aiming to get the most value out of the budget. Initially, the team considered any and all options. Some ideas proved cost prohibitive. Then, as the team discussed options and costs with various contractors, additional items had to be cut, even ones which the team thought important and thought should be done later, as God provides additional finances. Some items which were initially cut were later added back in to ensure a cohesive and practical final design. Finally, as work progresses, the team is making final decisions in order to come up with a design and product that will best serve Bethel's ministry and mission.
Q. Why are we using "these colors" or "these materials"?
A. We hired a professional designer at the beginning of this project to ensure a consistent design and outlook. This allowed us as a building team to focus on practicality and maximizing our church building for how we want it to function. Decisions about materials and design were led by the designer.
Q. How can we support the team and glorify God as we navigate changes?
A. By being flexible, understanding, and patient. Change is difficult. The team often has to make difficult decisions, and some things they had really hoped would turn out were not feasible in the end. It is hard for them to share all the factors they had to weigh, and some decisions have to be made on the spot as contractors run into things they didn't anticipate. We can support them by trusting that they truly have Bethel's interests at heart and want to help us pursue the mission God has given us.