September 2022 News - National Association of Church Facilities Managers

September 2022 NACFM News

Share |

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHURCH FACILITIES MANAGERS | September 2022

Laboring Well While Serving the Lord
MESSAGE FROM NACFM PRESIDENT HOMER CLARK

Labor Day is upon us! Where did the year go? I did some research on Labor Day. It began in the late 19th century as the trade unions and labor movements grew. Trade unionists proposed that a day be set aside to celebrate "Labor Day." In 1887, Oregon was the first state to make it an official holiday. It became a federal holiday in 1894. At the time, thirty states were already officially celebrating Labor Day.

For most of us, VBS season is over and we all know that the labor poured into VBS is for the love of Christ. For me, as it's probably for you, September is the month that most ministry areas start up their fall season and begin preparing for holiday programs. Most of my summer projects are wrapped up, but I know that September through December could be the heaviest workload on the facilities department compared to the rest of the year. Yes, I know some of you have demanding programs all year, however, for the average church fall to early winter is nonstop busy.

With that thought, what have you done or are about to do to make sure that you and your team are ready for this extra workload? My team usually meets after VBS is wrapped up in this in-between time to discuss new policy changes, new programs, and new events on the horizon for the coming months. This year we also discussed the positives and negatives of our service from the previous season. I encourage you to invest the time in your team to equip them for success. Providing encouragement, giving feedback (especially when things go wrong!), and preparing them for the upcoming labor in the days ahead are priceless.

Dale Carnegie in his book, How to Win Friends and Influence People, wrote about a new manager starting his job. While reviewing employee records and talking with supervisors, he discovered one employee who was on top of his game at the beginning of the year but was barely getting by at year's end. The team member seemed angry most of the time. The new manager started to take time to walk the floor and meet his people. His intent for the most part was to encourage them, thank them, and praise them for what they were doing and how well they did their jobs. After a short period, he discovered that his predecessor had stopped any effort to engage and encourage. As a result, morale had dropped and production was negatively affected as well.

Jesus prepared his disciples for ministry by taking the time to instruct, praise and discipline them. He spent time praying for his team, and demonstrating how they could do many wonderful things as they shared the gospel throughout the known world.

October is just around the corner. October 3rd - 7th is our Fall Certification Program (CP) training being held at Fellowship Bible Church, 480 W Crossville Road, Roswell, Georgia. Monday is a travel day with an opening dinner Monday night. Tuesday through Thursday and a half day Friday will be devoted to training. There is still time to sign up. Details can be found on our website, NACFM.com. Don't miss this opportunity to increase your professional knowledge, while experiencing really great fellowship with like-minded people!

In addition to the Certification Program, there will be a NACFM 2022 Mission Trip opportunity the same week, October 3rd - 7th. The mission project this year will be to build a large storage shed at a local Christian high school near the CP training host church. Travel days are Monday and Friday with our mission team joining the CP attendees Monday evening for dinner. During the week, Tuesday through Thursday we will work on the storage shed. On Thursday afternoon the CP attendees will join us on-site to help wrap up the project. We need at least three to five attendees to participate in the mission trip. I would like to encourage you to join us. With Christ as our example, this is a wonderful opportunity to serve others. If you have questions, please call me at 724-822-7948 or email at HClark@NACFM.com.

Bless you all,

Homer Clark
NACFM President

Cover Your Bases When Using Independent Contractors

Each year, even for repeat contractors, you should request a new Form W-9 and Certificate of Insurance (COI). Ask the Contractor to have their Insurance company provide the COI with your place of business listed as “additionally insured.” The W-9 will ensure that the correct contact information is listed and if the cost exceeds the minimum required by the IRS, your financial team will submit a Form 1099 at the end of the year. When this information is added to your financial database it can provide contact, call back, and history of work information as you plan and look for quotes on future work.

Additional Helpful Source: Check for Contractors’ Insurance

Featured Member:
Chris Joy - North Richland Baptist Church, North Richland, TX

As an overseer of facilities, have you ever faced a youth ministry request to have "sardine wars" in the youth room? Well, that's one request that Chris Joy did not have to consider very long! All that to be said is that, like Chris, facilities managers face many difficult (and sometimes weird) challenges. (More about the sardines later) The ability to face these challenges for most FMs comes from years of experience and the direction of the Lord in our lives.

Executive Director Chris Barron will be presenting at the Smart Church Solutions Virtual Conference on September 13th. Register here.