Dear BPCWA worshipper, In early September, we held a communication update of our church extension project. I would like to take the opportunity to capture some points on this project in today’s pastoral and provide everyone with an update on some progress since then.

Certificate of design compliance. We obtained the Certificate of Design Compliance in April 2024. Our original proposal was to use a chairlift for the disabled to access the 1^st floor. The consultant who came to assess our building found that our chairlift did not comply with the requirements for disabled access. Instead, he suggested that activities attended by any disabled could be held on the ground floor so that there is no need for them to access the first floor. With this operational change, the need for a disabled toilet on the first floor was also dispensed with. We thank God for this suggestion, without which we’d have had to build a lift, which would increase the cost of the project significantly. Following this recommendation (which also reduced the price of the project), the architect redrew some drawings in preparation for the tender.

First tender. The first tender was sent out in May 2024. A total of ten builders were approached to participate in this tender. These builders were selected based on their expertise and perceived experience with what would be required for our extension. Some examples of those we approached included those who had experience with tilt panels, building churches, childcare centres, apartment buildings, aged care buildings, and the builder for Woolworths. This tender resulted in only 1 builder submitting a tender. All the other builders were eliminated as either they responded that they were too busy with current projects or did not have the experience with tilt panels, or they did not reply to our request for tender, or it was found that they had negative feedback from prior clients.

Second tender. Out of an abundance of caution, the BOE decided to call for another tender.  So, we met with the architect again following our September church communication update. Explaining the need to ensure maximal due diligence for a church project, we told him that we wanted to have another tender sent out. This second tender was sent out to five builders (four additional builders and one from the first tender which did not respond officially. The additional builders included 2 who were referred by a church member) in September. Four of these builders declined to tender for our church extension for various reasons, ranging from being too busy, too complicated, or being disinterested in extension/alterations projects. One did not respond to the tender. 

Current status. Having satisfied ourselves that the lack of response for the second tender was God’s leading in answer to the prayers of the church, the building committee held a meeting with the architect and the sole builder who had responded to our 1^st tender. We requested the builder to provide us with an overview and basis of their quote. We also confirmed the builder’s willingness to run the Audio-Visual cables needed, since this was a portion that many builders had declined to be involved in. Some discussion of the expected progressive payment, insurance coverage, and project phase management to minimise disruptions to church meetings were also included in the meeting. This is a very initial meeting, and both sides will continue working on the details as discussions and work progress.

Financial update. As communicated in the September briefing, the price of the only quote received from the builder was about 20% higher than our initial budget. Thus far, the “Gap” in our building fund as printed in our previous and current bulletins is calculated based on the initial budget pre-tender. This means that the “Gap” will be adjusted upwards in future when costs are more firm after discussions with the builder and other key vendors involved in the building process. Another point to note is that what has been included in the “To Date” collection is solely the combination of 1) the amount transferred internally to our building fund account from BPCWA’s operating surplus and 2) designated offerings given by individuals to our building fund. The collections to date are not insignificant, and I thank God for moving individuals to give to this work since we have not received contributions from any other churches or organisations for our building project. We are proceeding with it accordingly with the assurance that we will continue returning to God to finance the cost of this project. I truly believe it is our privilege to support God’s work here, in our generation, in BPCWA. This is a once-in-a-lifetime privilege because such projects do not happen all the time. Hence, I have never publicised this project outside of BPCWA, or solicited funds from other churches or organisations to help us support this work. People may know about our building fund, but it is not because we have intentionally or actively made it known to them so as to solicit funds from them. I hope that every worshipper here will recognise the privilege and return cheerfully to our God who, as we often say and pray, has blessed us so abundantly with all spiritual blessings (Eph 1:3). Spiritual blessings include the ability and privilege to return financially to His work. 

Even as we have used Psalms 127:1 to refer to our families and homes, we must remember ultimately that the church is the house of God. Hence, it is never by our own abilities that we can do anything. Everything is by His help. He moves His children to provide as He sees fit. The widow’s two mites (Mk 12:42-44) are of great value in His eyes. I wish to remind every reader that this is God’s house. The end purpose of the extension is ultimately for the extension of His kingdom and work, so that more may come and know His truth. We often pray for God to help us be good stewards. There is no greater opportunity for stewardship than this in one’s lifetime, where we can put the resources God has placed in our hands towards such a work. But the need for prayer never diminishes, even if one day the finances are met.  We must pray earnestly that our LORD will watch over the physical build of His house for His spiritual use. So, let us not forget to pray earnestly throughout this project till its completion. Pray also that the LORD will always use His physical provision of a church space for a spiritual witness in this and future generations to come. May our spiritual zeal and witness grow even more, while we endeavour to renovate to extend the physical space in BPCWA for greater spiritual endeavours for Christ. 

Ps 127:1   <<A Song of degrees for Solomon.>> Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

Yours in our Lord’s service,
Pastor