We have a 50 year old organ which is deteriorating and replacement has been determined to be the best direction to take for our church’s future. This is a review of where we have been and where we are now as far as the organ goes.

Six years ago the organ committee formed to evaluate the future direction our congregation should take. As the committee went about evaluating the options a primary focus was to always strive for the best that our church family could do. The organ company that our committee leaders clearly felt is producing the best sounding and playing instrument is the Letourneau Organ Company of Canada. An $875,000 instrument was proposed and conferred upon by our congregation in 2006. It was voted at that conference that we would conduct a capital campaign to raise funds for that instrument.

The campaign was delayed while another committee was formed to study the issue of additional space for our ministries. By the time our congregation was ready to consider the additional space, the proposed organ had a price tag of $1 million dollars due to the weakness of the dollar. Concern was expressed and heard at the January 2008 conference by many members. The organ committee stepped back and re-evaluated the situation.

Organ committee members reconvened to see if they could find a less expensive way to present our congregation with the best we could possibly do in relation to the instrument. Committee members revisited other organ builders and traveled hundreds of miles to hear other instruments. They even considered finding a quality used instrument that could be refurbished. After spending months re-evaluating they came back to the conclusion that the Letourneau Company was still producing the best instrument quality. They went back to the company and asked how we could reduce the price. They have redesigned the organ, using building techniques to borrow from sections of the organ to complete others. They proposed building the organ preparing one section for completion in the future when funds become available. Also through the renovations we were able to create more space for the organ pipes allowing a simpler design and installation.

All of the changes resulted in a new price while not sacrificing quality. There is no longer a $1 million organ. We are even lower than the original $875,000. We are proposing a $700,000 organ.

We have been inspired by the stained glass windows when contemplating the large number associated with the organ. 80 years ago our founders installed those windows not focused on the expense but obviously focused on their ability to tell the story of Jesus. Their choice to not put in the least expensive but to focus on the ministry those windows could inspire us now. The organ can have that same effect on our ministry and it can have that same effect 80 years from now.

Pray that you each of us will see our role in this capital campaign and come join with other members of our church family as we move forward Growing our Ministries to Glorify God.

 

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