We have a delightful area in downtown Rapid City called Main Street Square. It is a relatively new place that opened just over a year ago. When they were proposing the space, it seemed to me like they were trying to do too much in too small of an area. There is an ice-skating rink, a fountain, a stage, outdoor sculptures, seating, retail space, room for booths and tents, and a lot more in about one quarter of a city block. Destination Downtown, the group that was promoting Main Street Square took an all-or-noting attitude to the public election that authorized the funding for the project. I kept thinking that they might do well to propose a slightly more modest project for the area, or at least be willing to compromise and not have everything in the initial phase of development.

I’m no urban planner, and my thoughts have been proven to be wrong. The space works very well for our city and the use of the space has exceeded projections for almost every event held there. We’ve had sunrise services and concerts there. We have used the space to raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention. We have watched as visitors and locals mingled in the space enjoying themselves. The urban park seems to do exactly what its promoters promised.

Still, I have on occasion grumbled about the expense. And I have wondered aloud whether or not we really need an outdoor ice-skating venue with artificial cooling to keep the ice smooth even when it is too warm outside for ice to form. Yesterday delivered an answer to my questions. I’m not sure whether or not the ice rink is open for skating, but when I drove by on my way back to the office from the post office yesterday morning, the ice looked perfect and inviting. The colored holiday lights are up and the place is ready for this weekend’s night lights parade. A few minutes later, I was south-bound on Mount Rushmore Road and drove by Wilson Park where there were a dozen ducks swimming in the shallow water where the Wilson Park Ice Rink would be if it had been cold enough to freeze the water. Maybe artificial ice is nice on some days in Rapid City.

I often would take a more conservative approach to development than those who are really successful at such ventures. Risk is part of the formula. If everything were a sure bet, then profits would be assured, but likely much more modest.

That balance of how far to push is always part of the ministry as well. How much do we risk when we develop budgets for our congregation? How boldly dare we dream when developing or improving buildings? How much investment is required to produce growth? How much growth is desirable? There are a thousand questions that come to mind.

We are in the process of making a comprehensive study in advance of a proposed capital funds drive to make a major investment in our building. I’ve been through a similar process in the congregation we served in Idaho, but the numbers are much bigger with this project. They may end up being the biggest numbers of my career. One of the ways that I am dealing with the various bids as they cross my computer screen is to say to myself, “We don’t need to do it all.”

But if Main Street Square needs refrigeration to make ice for skating, it could be argued that a congregation needs air conditioning to keep the building full during South Dakota summers. While I can see the argument for more insulation and a new roof, there are other parts of the proposal that seem to me to be extravagant. There are also other things that I understand that we need, but come with prices that I don’t understand. Parking lot repairs come up pretty high on my list of expenses that exceed my expectations. After all after spending tens of thousands of dollars you have exactly what you had before: a parking lot. OK the new one doesn’t have cracks and the striping is bold and clear. But that is about the only difference. Still, I understand that spending a little now prevents the need to spend a lot later, even if the “little” doesn’t seem to me to be little at all.

Our process still has lots of room for input from the congregation. I know that we will need to prioritize. I know that we will not be able to afford everything on our wish list. I know that there are difficult decisions ahead for a complex congregation where we don’t always agree. I’m not afraid of the process. But I hope that I can achieve just the right balance between faith and fear. I know that the Bible is very clear that we should not be afraid. But I don’t see anywhere in scripture that says we should take unnecessary risks with the generosity of Christ’s people, either.

The good news is that God has given us the gift of articulate voices that are on both sides of my vision. There are those who believe that we should do minimum maintenance only. There are also those who believe that we should be investing in creating a church of the future that will serve for decades into the future. And, likely, there are plenty of folks who come down somewhere between the extremes. What ever we choose, we are all in this together. The fund-raising will require the participation of everyone. The investment we are called to make is in the future of the congregation. The payoff on our investment may well be beyond the span of our lives.

As is true with other moments of discerning God’s call, I have come to rely on the congregation. The wisdom of the community exceeds the wisdom of any individual. My opinion needs to be given clearly, but I also need to be willing to submit to the wisdom of the congregation. This project isn’t about what I want, but rather about what is best for the future of the congregation.

Besides, there are many ways to find joy. After all, I find clear smooth ice for skating and ducks on a pond in the park both to be charming features of our city.

Copyright © 2012 by Ted Huffman. I wrote this. If you want to copy it, please ask for permission. There is a contact me button at the bottom of this page. If you want to share my blog a friend, please direct your friend to my web site.