Merry Christmas, Everyone!
(And some thoughts on finding some joy and peace in this season of joy and peace!)  
MESSAGE FROM NACFM PRESIDENT HOMER CLARK

As hard as it is to believe, 2022 is only a few weeks from calling itself done. Wow, how time has flown this year! Time clicks by at the same pace as it always has; the minutes to hours, hours to days, and on and on. I say this, but does it seem like time is always accelerating?

Try this little exercise: Set a sixty second timer on your watch or phone, start the timer, close your eyes, and then... just be completely still. When you think sixty seconds have elapsed, open your eyes to see how close you came to that one-minute mark. I did this myself and missed the target by five seconds. How about you?

Here are a couple of things we might be aware of from the sixty second test: First, it's hard to sit still for even a minute! We feel like we need to be doing something, getting things done. I imagine that some of you spent the time thinking about some topic; maybe a favorite scripture verse, some family responsibilities, or possibly that ever-looming to-do list you have waiting for you. A few of you probably passed over this test because your clock is ticking. (And that's OK!)

The first of December ushers in a fast track of special services, activities, events, and other celebrations leading up to Christmas Day. With Christmas Day falling on Sunday this year, the facilities work for many of us starts the moment we blow out the candles at the Christmas Eve service. For our brothers and sisters whose churches hold Christmas Day services, let's pray for them in the coming days. Sanctuaries and lobbies will need attention, facilities staffs and guests require some special grace, and, on the home front, FMs need peace and harmony. The above time experiment was intended to highlight that even during our busiest time, we all need to pause for a moment to think about the season. We're celebrating a profound and meaningful event as we celebrate our Savior and Lord coming to earth in human form for our salvation. Take a minute or so to be still and consider the greatest gift ever given. Jesus.

The Psalmist wrote the following:

[1] God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. [2] Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,[3] though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. [4] There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. [5] God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. [6] Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. [7] The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. [8] Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth. [9] He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire. [10] “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” [11] The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. - Psalms 46:1-11 (NIV).

In verse 10 the psalmist reminds us, “Be still, and know that I am God.“ This is important. I know how busy we all are, how driven our schedules become during the Christmas holiday season. Stress arrives uninvited, our team members are over burdened, energy is in short supply, and that work list seems to get longer each day. As you prepare your holiday to-do list, remember Psalm 46:10, along with these beautiful lyrics from a favorite Christmas song:

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born

I want to wish each and every member, current, past, emeritus and business, a very blessed and Merry Christmas as well as a glorious start to the New Year.. See you all in 2023!

Homer Clark 
NACFM President

Featured Member: Danny Clark
Compass Church, Colleyville, TX

Danny Clark certainly has his hands full! He is the Facilities Director for a growing church that has four campuses, plus a mobile campus to boot. The main campus for Compass Church is located in Colleyville, just west of the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Other campuses are found in Grapevine, Roanoke, and Haslet. The mobile campus is in North Richland Hills.

Danny married Darla Clark 34 years ago. God has blessed them with two children and three grandkids.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Church Multipurpose Room

Your multipurpose room is key to serving ancillary church functions and ministries. With so many possible uses and different needs, organizing the multipurpose room can be a challenge.

Here are some organization and design tips that will help you get the most out of your church hall or multipurpose room.

Welcome New NACFM Members!

Cliff Culwell
Argyle, TX

Patrick Norris
Shreveport, LA