Where did that verse come from?




The entrance and interior of the CENTER at Autumn Ridge are decorated with a logo graphic with a biblical text:

“At the center of all this, Christ rules the church.”
Ephesians 1:22

Some people are curious about this text and its origin.

Let me tell you that story.

In 2009 I was leading a study to consider building an addition at Autumn Ridge Church. Various names were considered for the space, but the Building Implementation Committee settled on “the CENTER” as the simplest and clearest option to capture the idea that many purposes and functions would be served in the space.

That same year I had decided to again read through the Bible, but this time I deliberately chose to study a different translation, The Message by Eugene Peterson. I had always favored the New International Version, but had found it easy to be lulled into reading over the familiar words without much impact. The Message offers a fresh take on the scriptures, with the goal of capturing in the mind of the reader the kind of powerful impact that would have been experienced by the original readers of the written message in the original languages.

Saint Augustine said “variety of translations is profitable for finding out the sense of the scriptures.” I have definitely found this to be true. Because few of us read the Bible in the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek languages, we are all dependent on translations. Paraphrase means literally to “say the same thing in different words” and that is what any translation must do. Thus, every translation is truly a paraphrase.

I was interested to read that different kinds of translations aim for different things, and no careful translation is necessarily better than any other. Of particular interest, the verse numbers imposed on the Biblical texts are artificial and not meaningful during translation.

Some translations (for example the New King James and English Standard Version) aim to try to find an English equivalent for each word of the original language, sacrificing the flow of thoughts and ideas for the “formal equivalent.” Other translations (for example the New Living Translation and The Message) are “idiomatic,” aiming to convey the ideas and the impact of the ideas in words familiar to modern readers. In the case of The Message, Peterson worked from the original Greek and Hebrew with the goal:



…to recapture the tone, to bring out the subtleties and nuances of the Hebrew and Greek languages while keeping a sense of the firsthand experience for contemporary readers…”If Paul were the pastor of my church, how would he say this?” or “If Jesus were here teaching, what would it sound like?”


So I was studying The Message at the same time that I was leading the Building Implementation Committee and working on ways to share the CENTER concept with the congregation for study and consideration.

In developing the communication materials for this process, I created print illustrations and brochures and a simple logo that used the cross as a symbol to mark the center of a circle. At the same time I searched the Bible (using The Message version I was studying) for uses of the word “center.” I was interested to find the concept of “center” in Peterson’s translation of Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus. In discussing his love for the Ephesians, Paul writes:

I ask–ask the God of our Master Jesus Christ, the God of glory–to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for Christians, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust in him–endless energy, boundless strength! All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.

You can perhaps see why I thought this was a lovely passage to capture the idea of “center” from a Christian perspective. As to the actual verse number, recall that verse numbers were invented later and imposed artificially on scripture. Peterson emphasizes this by not dividing his translation into individual verses. The phrase selected for the CENTER logo is near what other translations calculate to be Ephesians 1:22, but this is not important in idiomatic translations like The Message. It is the idea that counts.

In some ways I wish we all were Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic scholars so we could study the Bible in its original language. Even then, however, we would still find challenges in archaic word uses and unknown references and meanings. No matter what Christians do, they must rely on multiple translations to come to even a partial understanding of the meanings of the many different kinds of literature captured together in the Bible.


Late during construction of the CENTER, Pastor Bill Price and I simultaneously had the notion of decorating the CENTER with a permanent and public statement reminding guests of the facility name, emphasizing the symbolism of the cross of Christ, and sharing the scripture passage that places Christ at the center of all the energy of the universe.

So now you know the story of the CENTER logo text.



For those who are interested, both the large wall mural in the CENTER and the entrance window text were applied as vinyl graphics, a relatively inexpensive and durable solution.


Jim Maher

the CENTER community playground and other amenities

An excellent and well-considered playground design has been recommended and adopted by the Building Implementation Committee (BIC), consistent with priorities set forth for the vision of the CENTER. A contract is in place and installation will begin soon. The solution will be distinctive and unique as a tool for community outreach.

Community Playground at the CENTER

BIC creates subcommittees to address particular focused tasks. Because the concept of a community playground was an important priority, a subcommittee was assembled, including Greg Lappin as leader, Blaine Price as intern/designer, and representatives from children’s ministries including Pastor Pat Wester. This subcommittee was charged with developing a vision for the playground functions to be achieved, the space plan, issues to be resolved, and recommending a vender solution for the playground and a master plan for the space.

That group then met independently and provided a report to BIC. Along with that report came a master playground plan that was coordinated with the civil engineering site plan and the landscape master plan developed through Patti Gloff and professional consultants at Sargents Gardens.

The playground subcommittee did their study, including discussions of all the assigned items, and issued a report to BIC. The report made it clear that the playground vision had several high priorities. These included 8 functional requirements as well as themes:

-a space that would appeal to the neighborhood and be shared as part of the concept of community welcome
-a safe and inclusive design
-a master plan that would offer activities for at least two age groups as well as open space
-a master plan with several activity areas
-a distinctive and unique design that would attract attention and make a statement about our concern for our guests
-a durable design that would last for years and pay dividends in long-term maintenance savings

The report came with a specific recommendation for a playground concept. Initial funds will provide a first step toward this master plan.

After touring a number of examples and facilities, the subcommittee recommended strongly against inexpensive traditional solutions that would not attract interest from guests, nor retain value. Landscape Structures products were recommended, with a focus on the Evos product line for an initial installation near the main level (east) entrance to the kids education wing.

http://www.playlsi.com/Explore-Products/Product-Lines/Outdoor-Playsystems/Evos/Pages/Evos.aspx

The playground subcommittee report was studied by BIC and approved late in 2010.

The long-term community playground master plan expense is likely to exceed $100,000, consistent with the goals and focus of this amenity for Autumn Ridge and the larger growing neighborhood. The initial allocation from BIC is $50,000 to cover the east playground equipment and installation. The company has been engaged, including discounts for Autumn Ridge.

Coordination with the project civil engineer, excavating company and landscapers is underway.

The CENTER community playground investment in context

BIC takes seriously the responsibility of balancing many competing interests in ministry investments at the CENTER. Areas of highest priority are related to recreation and interior infrastructure (things harder to do later). The exterior owner component of landscaping has been allocated $16,000 over and above the contract costs for soil preparation and grass seeding. The $16,000 will cover the costs for the brick prayer patio and preparation and edging of planting beds. Future congregational gifts will be needed to purchase trees, shrubs, and plants on a pay-as-we-go basis, much as has been the case for most of our landscaping to date. In addition to this $16,000, the initial playground material, site preparation, and installation have been allocated $50,000. The community playground investment is just 1.6% of the total CENTER project cost.


Roles of specialty amenities at the CENTER

BIC has strategically targeted certain areas of the CENTER for particular quality focus, with many other areas being treated as economically as possible to conserve resources. Areas where long-term quality and durability and impact have guided greater investment include the Mondo rubber floor surface in the CENTER recreation space, the audio/video system that will allow the multi-purpose room to function for education, worship, and performance, and the first phase of the exterior playground. These decisions are based on BIC’s past excellent experience with the investment in a quality (rather than inexpensive) theater seating solution in the sanctuary 6 years ago. The selected seats were among the most expensive available, but the investment has proven extremely wise over time. When combined, these investments in A/V system, recreation flooring, and community playground amount to just 7% of the total CENTER project cost.

Even with extremely generous congregational giving, areas such as landscaping and interior finishes will require future development and creative volunteerism.

CENTER construction remains on schedule for completion in July, with the grand opening community celebration planned for the weekend of September 17-18.

The minimum option...

"What would be the minimum investment necessary to allow the entire CENTER to be occupied and used?"


This question was raised this past weekend, and it is a good question.

As described earlier in the CENTER blog, and in the CENTER completion fact sheet, the Building Implementation Committee (BIC) has described the following options if Autumn Ridge decided that is was wise to move forward toward finishing the CENTER now:

Option 1. Prepare education wing structure now: $90,000

Option 2. Prepare service wing structure now: $50,000

Option 3. Complete education wing using commercial contractors: $315,000*

Option 4. Complete education wing using Autumn Ridge volunteers: $150,000*

Option 5. Complete service wing with commercial contractors: $150,000*

Option 6. Complete service wing with Autumn Ridge volunteers: $80,000 *

(*would first need to pay for option 1 and/or option 2.)

The least expensive combination of these options (1+2+4+6) comes to $370,000. This estimate would use a combination of commercial and volunteer labor to bring the CENTER to the planned final configuration with all interior partitions, doors, windows, and finishes.

"But is that really the bare minimum construction needed to occupy the CENTER?"

The answer is no- the congregation could go even lower if this were determined to be wise. BIC is committed to providing the full set of options for consideration during this interval of prayer and discussion.

The minimum price estimate to complete the CENTER for legal occupancy is about $300,000. This amount represents just 11% more than the $2.65M committed to the CENTER in the sharing HOPE initiative.


"What would be the status of the CENTER after investment of an additional $300,000?"

•The multipurpose room would be complete, with sports flooring, basketball goals and volleyball gear.

•New restrooms would be complete.

•The new lobby would be complete with carpet, lighting, painted walls.

•In both levels of the education wing there would be required heating and air conditioning and sealed concrete floors. The main floor education space would consist of one large room with doors.

•There would be no suspended ceiling or carpet. Lights and electrical outlets would meet minimal requirements. The upper level of the education wing would be a large open space without walls, contiguous with the balcony and mezzanine.

•In the service wing there would be sealed concrete floor, three finished changing rooms with showers, and the changing/locker area. The kitchen area and storage room would be partitioned with minimal required lighting and outlets, but no suspended ceiling or floor covering. There would be plumbing, gas and electrical connections in the kitchen are for future completion. There would be no outdoor playground, or audio/visual capability in the multipurpose room.

This $300,000 scenario would allow the congregation to take occupancy of the CENTER, and no further commercial construction would be required. On the other hand, considerable future by-owner investments (~$70K) would be required for materials to further complete the space with volunteer labor. Further investment would be required to provide an exterior playground.

Commercial finish options are listed above, as previously described.

So there it is...what BIC believes to be the true minimum completion option for the CENTER. The $300,000 investment would increase the CENTER investment by 11%.

Let us continue to discuss these options, praying for wisdom and unity.

...a bit of history

It is the spring of 2011 and the Autumn Ridge congregation is studying possibilities for the CENTER at Autumn Ridge, the new addition for recreation, education and service. During February and March we are asking God for wisdom. In May, 2010, the congregation pledged $2.8M toward sharing Hope, an initiative that provided $150,000 for Compassion Evangelical Hospital in Guinea, West Africa, and $2.65M for the CENTER at Autumn Ridge.

What is the history of the CENTER design, and where do we stand now?

The original plan for the Autumn Ridge Church campus on Salem Road called for a multi-purpose room that could serve as a gymnasium some of the time. The original plan called for this space to be shared with what is now the Common Grounds Café! It is hard to imagine that room alternating between basketball and coffee, especially with one wall shared with the worship center.

A second possibility was also considered in 2004 during final design. This would have made the current junior high school room into a multi-purpose room with sports capability. That option was also set aside, as the room took on education and worship functions.

This left indoor recreation for the future. While the 16th Street church facility had provided a gymnasium to use and share, the Salem Road campus lacked this feature.

Just months after taking occupancy of the Salem Road campus in December, 2005, studies began to consider how new recreation and education space could be provided. The vision from the outset was space that could serve the congregation and be shared with the community as a basis for outreach and building relationships. The Salem Road master campus plan called for multiple additions, as necessary, to serve future community, education, worship, and administration functions. The possibility of a recreation/education addition was studied from 2006-2009, when the building implementation committee was re-formed to analyze the possibility, and provide a program of functions, a conceptual design, and estimates. The project began with a needs assessment and evaluation of current facility use patterns at the time.

The recommendation was an addition with multipurpose room for recreation and special events, lobby interaction space, education space, and support functions such as a kitchen and changing rooms. Specifications were set for the number of people to be served in education and lobby, but the size of the multipurpose room was a variable in the design.

As proposed to the congregation in November, 2009, the CENTER at Autumn Ridge was a schematic design including a multipurpose room large enough for two high school basketball courts. The full CENTER design (including two levels of education space) was 36,000 square feet in size, with a cost estimate of $4.7M. This created a fund-raising goal for the construction portion of the sharing Hope initiative.

Pledges were received during the spring on 2010, with a 3-year generous pledge total of $2.65M. The Building Implementation Committee then undertook a study of how to invest $2.65M toward starting the CENTER. The design goal was to complete the entire exterior of the facility, even if the interior was incomplete. This concept was chosen to minimize future expense and construction logistics. In order to stretch $2.65M to complete the entire exterior as well as the multipurpose space and lobby, it was determined that the size of the multipurpose space could be modified slightly. This was reasonable, since the CENTER programmatic functions never had a specific requirement for the size of the multipurpose room. It was determined that a room to accommodate two junior high school basketball courts would be ideal. Space allocations for education, greeting, and support functions did not change.

Architectural design was then completed, bids were received, and the revised CENTER project bids came in $110,000 under the $2.65M target. This, along with a $50K construction contingency budget, provided resources to begin finishing some of the unfinished areas and provide an excellent flooring solution for the multipurpose room.

It is important to note that this combination of circumstances changed the CENTER scenario from the original 36,000 square foot addition with $4.7M completion cost estimate, to a 28,271 square foot addition with a $3.7M completion cost estimate. Reducing the size of the CENTER by 21% lowered the estimated completion cost by $1M.

With excellent pricing, good weather, and good timing, this created an opportunity that was shared with the congregation in 2011: the $2.65M committed to the CENTER now represents between 80% and 87% of the total needed to complete the facility: 80% if commercial construction is used to finish, 87% if a combination of commercial and volunteer labor is used.

This opportunity is important to consider: being within $370K - $606K of the completion cost means that the potential savings (~$100K) to complete work during this construction cycle are very significant. This $100K represents 17-27% of the total completion costs for the CENTER, a significant penalty to pay for waiting additional years for a future fund raising initiative. The $100K savings would result from avoiding removal and re-installation of construction equipment, and by avoiding inflation.

Thus, the congregation faces an opportunity and a decision. Waiting as planned is a reasonable option. Asking if current givers and new givers wish to participate in bridging the gap toward finishing the last 20% of the task is also a reasonable option.

It is time to pray, seeking wisdom and unity in this exciting opportunity. It is also time to share questions and ideas so that the board and congregation can be thoughtful and gracious in this strategic decision.

Jim Maher
Chair, BIC

Welcome to the CENTER blog

Hi Friends!

On behalf of the building implementation committee (BIC) of Autumn Ridge Church, welcome to the CENTER blog. This is intended to be a convenient online site for sharing information and responding to questions. The other major online resource is the CENTER website at:

http://autumnridgechurch.org/center.html

The goal of these online communication tools is to provide the congregation at Autumn Ridge with information needed to decide how best to invest in the CENTER.

The CENTER at Autumn Ridge is the congregation’s phase 2 addition to better serve our guests and the community through multi-purpose recreation, greeting and education space.

The current $2.65M construction phase will complete only the multipurpose room and lobby, leaving the education wing (two levels of classrooms) and the service wing (storage, changing rooms, kitchen) for later. Generous pledges will provide all of the $2.65M over three years, so this building phase will involve no debt.

Estimated costs to completely finish the CENTER are now available, indicating that completion of the entire project is within reach if the congregation chooses to provide additional money, perhaps by extending the three-year sharing Hope initiative into a fourth year. It is important to consider this opportunity because cost savings could exceed $100,000 if construction to complete the CENTER is undertaken now while the contractors are on site.

Considering CENTER Completion Options

The congregation may choose to leave the CENTER unfinished as originally planned.

The following information may be helpful in considering further completion of the CENTER:

Option 1. Prepare education wing structure now: $90,000

Option 2. Prepare service wing structure now: $50,000

Option 3. Complete education wing using commercial contractors: $315,000*

Option 4. Complete education wing using Autumn Ridge volunteers: $150,000*

Option 5. Complete service wing with commercial contractors: $150,000*

Option 6. Complete service wing with Autumn Ridge volunteers: $80,000*

(*would first need to pay for option 1 and/or option 2.)

To put these six options into perspective, the following totals express these costs in terms of the number of added months of giving required if the sharing Hope initiative were extended into a fourth year at the current giving rate:

Prepare all remaining structure now: $140,000 (2 months extra giving)

Commercial completion of project*: $465,000 (7.5 months extra giving)

Volunteer completion of project*: $230,000 (3.7 months extra giving)

(*would first need to pay $140,000 to prepare all remaining structure)

So these are the facts. The congregation is being asked to reflect on these facts and pray for wisdom.

Should we stick with the original plan, invest $2.65M over three years and use the CENTER multi-purpose room and lobby, but leave education and service spaces unfinished? This will require a later construction phase to add heating and air conditioning, pour more concrete floors, and add more infrastructure before church volunteers or professionals could complete the project.

Should we extend the sharing HOPE initiative by asking if some who made 3-year commitments would be willing to extend for some additional months?

Should we provide an opportunity for those not yet involved in sharing HOPE to sign on and help toward completion of the CENTER?

If we as a congregation determine to vote on extending the giving, we then would have an opportunity to pledge toward enhanced giving beyond the original 3-year plan. If such new pledges were made, BIC would then proceed with construction completion using the pledged funds to go as far as possible, again incurring no debt.

What do you think? Please post your thoughts and opinions, questions and concerns. Just reply to this post, and we'll discuss this opportunity together.