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MESSAGE FROM NACFM PRESIDENT GARY ROBINSON
No, I’m not sharing my stretching routine or encouraging you to take Yoga classes. But, if you are having a bad day and need a laugh, feel free to imagine me in the Firefly Yoga position. I’m talking about flexibility in our approach to our jobs as Church Facility Managers.
If you have been a Facility Manager for more than an hour, you have had the opportunity to demonstrate your flexibility skills. Change is just part of our job. From pastors to schedules, from committees to ministries, from supervisors to employees; change is a constant challenge in churches. Flexibility is a key attribute of a successful CFM.
“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.”
–
Albert Einstein
The need to be adaptable is nothing new. In Genesis 12, “The LORD had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you’”. Now that is change! Change is part of our everyday lives. What is new is the COVID-19 virus. This pandemic has affected most areas of our lives, both personal and professional. (As I write this, Patrick Hart, our Executive Director, and his family are in quarantine after testing positive.)
“A bad plan is better than no plan, and the most important quality of any plan is the flexibility to change.”
–
Judson L Moore
As we prepare plans to reopen our churches for worship, we must wade through the information and misinformation that is being thrown at us by the media. What the “experts” are saying seems to change by the day. How do we deal with that? We need to follow Abram’s example and put our faith in the One who made us and the world we live in. We must remember what John shared in 1 John 4:4, “Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world.”
“The measure of a person’s strength is not his muscular power or strength, but it is his flexibility and adaptability.”
–
Debasish Mridha
So here we are, halfway through 2020, and we find ourselves juggling seating arrangements, financial shortfalls, and local government mandates. We have some members who feel we aren’t doing enough to protect them. Others think this is much ado over nothing. It’s enough to make your head spin. I have heard from some that success is an overly optimistic goal and mere survival should be the objective.
“Survival is for those who are flexible; they are smart enough to adapt and they never give up!”
–
Noha Alaa El-Din, Norina Luciano
Our jobs were hard enough before the pandemic, now it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Be encouraged you are not alone. Church facility professionals are good collaborators and quick to help others. There is not a one-size-fits-all answer to reopening our houses of worship. This is the time for communication and cooperation. Reach out to CFMs in your area. Take advantage of the user forum on the association’s website. It is important to share products or processes that you find helpful with others. Be sure to use the knowledge of your vendors, that is what they are there for. With the help of the Lord, hard work, perseverance, and flexibility we will survive.
We all grew up hearing the 23rd Psalm. Most of us never thought we would be walking through the valley of the shadow of death. While I hope and pray that the death toll from COVID-19 does not hit the numbers that have been projected, the 23rd Psalm is very relevant. I leave you with the words of King David.
Psalm 23
1
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
Blessings my Brothers and Sisters,
Gary Robinson
NACFM President
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Featured Member:
Catherine Carvey
Catherine Carvey would be the first one to admit that she’s had an interesting life both personally and professionally – devoted mother, Butler University graduate, retail merchandising professional, expert quilt maker,
seminary student, executive director for a national organization, and her current role as a church Director of Facilities Management & Security. In a recent interview Catherine was asked to reflect on her life,
her career managing facilities, and her association with the NACFM.
Are you looking for a new career or know someone else looking? Do you have an open job position to fill?
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