October 2022 News - National Association of Church Facilities Managers

October 2022 NACFM News

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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHURCH FACILITIES MANAGERS | October 2022

And to Everything There is a Season
MESSAGE FROM NACFM PRESIDENT HOMER CLARK

It's October and the season is changing! As you read this message our fall certification training and the mission trip are about to start in Roswell, GA. Fall is beautiful here in Pennsylvania with the leaves painting the landscape with vivid colors all across the hills and into the valleys. I marvel at God's creativity and His display of indescribable beauty. Have you stopped today and allowed yourself a few minutes to take in this beauty and commune with God through His creation? How about pausing to look at the complexity of a spider's web? It's a great opportunity to leave the busyness for a few minutes and give the Lord a big "thank you!" Change happens and seasons in our lives come and go, often without us taking a moment to savor the Father's creation.

I'm currently enrolled in a leadership course called “The Community.” This course is composed of lessons in four-month cycles. It was created by a friend of mine, Scott Couchenour. We met several years ago when he worked for a family-owned, design-build company. He was a speaker at my first spring CP training. Over the years we've stayed in touch, and last year we connected via LinkedIn where he laid out his model for his leadership training. The overall structure of the course is based on the concept of people's lives going through changes or seasons. Scott describes these life seasons as quarters. The first quarter is ages 0-25 years. These are our formative years. The second quarter is our family growing years, ages 20-40, and so on. The main focus of the group is to have a meaningful, fulfilling fourth quarter of life. This important quadrant of life is a time we can devote to continued growth, giving back, mentoring, and completing a lasting legacy. So far I’ve learned “CHANGE HAPPENS.” Life marches on; we grow old, our responsibilities increase, our facilities age, and technology expands faster each day.

I’m reminded of the verses in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV):

[1] There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: [2] a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, [3] a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, [4] a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, [5] a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, [6] a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, [7] a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, [8] a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

As we move forward in life, we need to focus on being efficient stewards of our time and resources. We must make room in our busy schedules to pray and read the word of God. When God is with us, who can stand against us? The devil is a sneaky foe. He never attacks us in the same way or at the same time. He is like a baseball pitcher. If a pitcher always throws the same pitch, batters will always smack the ball. That’s why a pitcher changes his pitch mixing up fastballs, curves, sinkers, sliders, and knuckleballs. The devil is always changing what he throws at us as well.

Have a wonderful fall season! Take a few minutes for a mental break to appreciate the creation God has placed all around us. It's a priceless gift that's absolutely free! And lastly, consider mentoring someone in that person's next life quarter.

Blessings,

Homer Clark
NACFM President

Featured Member:
Lara Wood - Grace Family Church of North Tampa, Lutz, FL

It's often the case that the career path for a facilities professional is a very connected, logical progression of work experiences. Not so for Lara Wood.

She has worked as a corporate banker, co-owner of a biker bar, director of operations for a home health care company, and a finance specialist. Her financial work was in a church environment that eventually led to her current career in facilities management.

Do I Really Need to Pull a Permit?

Building permits are thought to be an annoying nuisance, however they are meant to keep people safe. Before you build or remodel an existing structure, you should consider whether or not you need to pull a construction permit. Reasons might include electrical, plumbing, fire suppression systems, occupancy, etc. You may need special hazard permits for special-use buildings. Additionally, many insurance companies require a permit before they will insure it. Construction permits vary by state and municipality. However, most codes are universal and will be the same no matter where you’re located, but be sure to check before you start your project.