Growth plans for church could be seen as crazy

By Terry Dowdy
First UMC, Pflugerville
I am the associate pastor of First UMC, Pflugerville, and I live in Leander.
New construction is everywhere between my house and my church—roads, subdivisions, schools, churches, businesses, retirement communities.
The population of Cedar Park has increased 93.3 percent in the last six years (Forbes’ 11th fastest growing city in the U.S.A.), while, at the same time, Pflugerville has increased by 70 percent (Forbes’ 23rd fastest growing city in the U.S.A.).
With growth comes opportunity, and with opportunity comes responsibility. The opportunities have flooded us at First UMC, Pflugerville. To help people understand just how staggering the opportunities have been and how responsibly we have dealt with them, I have imagined myself addressing any one of the churches that I have previously served and making the following proposal:
“This year let’s take on these projects:
> “Let’s get involved in a church-wide transformation project with a consultant.
> “Let’s purchase 4.5 acres of land adjacent to our present property.
> “Let’s propose plans to build a two-story, 20,000-square-foot children and adult ministry building.
> “Let’s propose beginning a new worship service next Easter that targets the largest demographic grouping in our community.
“Does that sound like a good idea?”
I know exactly what the response, the sane response, would be: “You’re crazy, preacher!”
But that’s exactly what we are doing in Pflugerville. We’re not doing it because it’s a good idea to take on all of these at the same time. And we’re not doing it because we’re insane. We’re doing it because the opportunities have arisen at this time and place and because we seek to be responsible followers of Jesus Christ.
Peace be to the whole community, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.