Our Mission
Our strategic intent is that
Everyone at BLC will actively connect people to life in Jesus.
These three strategic imperatives will guide our strategy:
- 1. We will become bolder and more confident talking about Jesus.
- 2. We will love our neighbors as ourselves.
- 3. We will build a physical and digital environment that makes it easier for people to connect.
Our Videos
Pastor Rob: Unstoppable God Ministry Overview
Pastor Rob: Unstoppable God Ministry Overview Part 2
Pastor Rob: Unstoppable God Focus Areas 1-4
Pastor Rob: Unstoppable God Focus Area 5 - Experience
Ministry Plans
Unstoppable God
A Four-Session Life Group Bible Study
|
Our Call to Change
The purpose of our buildings and properties is to fulfill the ministry of Brookfield Lutheran. While the existing facilities have served us well over the past 50 years, over the past decade or so, our ministry and properties have become less aligned.
While we can and are doing important ministry work with the existing facilities, we are hampered by limited and inflexible space, multiple buildings, and in some cases, safety and health challenges.
We are “making do” to meet our current congregational needs and ministry goals today. However, the world has changed. The needs of our community have changed and are continuing to change. Our ministry must change to continue to make an impact and connect people to life in Jesus. Our current space does not allow for those needed changes.
Our Vision
At Brookfield Lutheran Church, we envision a future where our facilities fully empower our mission to Connect People to Life in Jesus through Worship, Discipleship, Missions, Care Ministry, and Experience. Our buildings will no longer be anchors holding us back but vibrant spaces that propel our ministry forward.
We see a campus that:
- Welcomes All: A warm, inviting environment that draws in visitors, members, and future generations, reflecting the love of Jesus in every corner.
- Supports Our Mission: Spaces designed to enhance worship, deepen discipleship, inspire missions, nurture care, and create meaningful experiences, fully aligned with our ministry goals.
- Fosters Relationships: Flexible, functional areas that encourage connections among our spiritual family and community, from casual coffee chats to large gatherings.
- Ensures safety, security, and accessibility: Modern, secure facilities with safe designs, ensuring everyone can participate in our ministry with confidence.
This vision transforms our campus into a beacon of faith, where every space supports our calling to share Jesus’ love.
Our Plan
Get Involved
As we seek God’s guidance with our strategic plan, with our ministry plans, and with our building plans, we also seek alignment as a congregation. We’ve created a number of communication channels to help you stay informed as well as to participate with your suggestions and feedback:
- Regular Newsletter Emails
- Videos
- Listening Sessions
- Strategic Plan Webpage
- email address
Your prayers are also a vital part of this journey. Please pray for:
- Unity as our church family works together.
- Wisdom to follow God’s plan for our ministry and campus.
- Courage to share Jesus’ love boldly.
Unstoppable God
A Four-Session Life Group Bible Study
|
Frequently Asked Questions
Strategic Plan Overview
Why are we doing Strategic Planning?
Strategic Planning is a normal part of any organizational planning process. For BLC, it provides a chance to assess the direction and effectiveness of our ministry in the face of an ever-changing world around us. It also allows us to evaluate the direction and effectiveness of all the things that support our ministry, such as our properties, buildings, staff, technology, etc.
What is our resulting Strategic Plan’s Intent?
Our Strategic Plan starts with BLC’s mission of Connecting People to Life in Jesus. Our strategic intent is that everyone at BLC will actively connect people to life in Jesus.
In order to achieve our Strategic Plan’s Intent, what needs to change or be emphasized?
We believe God is leading and empowering three imperatives to guide our strategy:
- We will become bolder and more confident talking about Jesus.
- We will love our neighbors as ourselves.
- We will build a physical and digital environment that makes it easier for people to connect.
How will BLC implement this strategy?
We have identified five focus areas. We will connect people to life in Jesus:
- Worship: through meaningful corporate worship which leads people to a dynamic life of worship.
- Discipleship ministry: make disciples who learn deeply from God’s Word, form Christ-centered relationships, and share the love of Jesus with the community through what we say and do.
- Missions: create a culture of sending disciples into the community and around the globe. Everyone. Every day. Everywhere. Go!
- Care ministry: equip disciples to see the need for care and respond to those around them.
- Experience: create and nurture an environment and culture that physically, spiritually, and relationally reflects the love of Jesus to our community and our spiritual family.
Physical Experience (Building)
Why This Project & Moving Forward
What are the overall priorities of the building project?
We have only one priority for the building project, and it is simple – that our properties and buildings would align with, support, and propel our mission and ministry. Properties follows Ministry. While our facilities have served us well for many years, in order to effectively serve and witness to an ever-changing world, our buildings and our culture need to reflect the love of Jesus to our spiritual family, our community, and to future generations.
Why now?
Design constraints like narrow hallways, unclear direction finding, low ceilings, a gym as worship space, and unsatisfactory nursery space are making it harder, not easier, to connect people. We intentionally stepped back and looked at ministry to realize that many of these limitations were hindering us from rescuing people from behind the gates of hell. That singular focus spurs us to action. Waiting does not help our mission now and will not help a future generation facing even higher costs.
Who ultimately decides whether we move forward?
Under BLC’s bylaws, the Board of Directors makes that decision. As with other major property decisions, the Board intends to listen closely to the congregation before voting.
What Are We Building?
What components of our building will be impacted and in what sequence?
The Master Plan involves replacing our existing building with the exception of the Gym and the offices. For practical and financial reasons, construction will occur in phases. The first phase removes the traditional sanctuary and adds a new Nursery, Gathering Space, and unified Worship Space, allowing the gym to be used for more ministry purposes.
What if the final design looks different from these renderings?
It probably will in some ways. These are conceptual designs, not final construction drawings. Showing them now is part of the process of getting feedback and refining the designs.
How will construction affect worship and other ministries?
There will be some disruption, especially when the current sanctuary comes down. The good news is that the gym gives us a place to continue worship during construction. As the primary demolition work in the initial construction is limited to the sanctuary and adjoining entryway, there should be much less disruption to other ministries.
As we execute the second phase of our Master Plan, do we really need to tear down our education wing which isn’t that old?
Yes. We believe that young families and their children will be a prime focus of our connecting activities. We need to address reduced security from open hallways, accessibility limitations of the tri-level design, limitations of the radial room design, flooding risk, and difficult wayfinding. The space also serves youth and adult education, so the goal is a newly designed wing that empowers those ministries rather than simply “makes do.”
Worship
Will we attempt to re-use any of our stained glass?
Yes. To the extent feasible, we will try to re-use the large “Come Unto Me” stained glass currently in the front of the sanctuary. Ancillary stained glass near the sanctuary ceiling will not be re-used.
How large will the new worship center be?
The current planning target is a little less than 600 seats. Final capacity will be confirmed as the design develops. We will also evaluate the possibility of adding a balcony in a later phase, which would increase seats by approximately 200. As a comparison point, the current contemporary worship space is typically set up for 450.
Will our worship schedule need to change if we move to one worship space?
We haven't made that decision because we don't need to make it yet. Good planning doesn't mean making every decision as early as possible. It means making each decision when you have the information needed to make it well.
At this time, there is no plan to move from our current worship schedule. We'll learn from the transition, listen carefully to the congregation, and make permanent operational decisions based on experience rather than assumptions.
Ministry & Growth
How do we keep the project from becoming more important than the ministry?
In every planning meeting, communication with the congregation, staff and Board meeting, this sentiment is echoed. There is no one advocating otherwise. While #3 is #3 for a reason, in some ways we've emphasized the importance of ministry so much, we've diluted the impact of what a building can do for ministry. After all, that's the entire reason we're doing a campaign.
Cost, Financing & Debt
What is the project going to cost?
The full Master Plan is currently estimated at approximately $20–25 million over time. The initial construction package is approximately $10 million and includes the Worship Center, Gathering Space, Nursery, and freeing the gym for ministry. A construction manager will continue refining estimates as design progresses.
What will be our strategy to finance this project?
The primary funding source will be contributions from BLC members. There will also be opportunities to contribute time, talent, and materials where applicable. We will pursue grants or corporate gifts where available, although we do not expect those to be a significant funding source.
How much debt are we willing to take on?
That has not been determined. We will look at campaign results, actual project costs, our ability to support debt long term, and the financing options available. It is also possible that little or no borrowing will be needed.
What happens if we don’t raise enough to cover the initial construction?
Campaign results will tell us what we can fund with cash and what, if anything, may need to be financed. We would then evaluate the available options, including traditional financing as well as internal borrowing, before deciding how to proceed.
What if we raise more than our first phase fundraising goal?
Praise our Unstoppable God! We will assess components of our Master Plan to see what can logically be included in the first phase. If other aspects do not fit either financially or logistically, additional fundraising will provide a head start for the next phase of the Master Plan.
Will the campaign or future debt reduce our support for missions?
Missions remain a major commitment of BLC. Campaign gifts are separate from regular ministry giving, and any debt decision will have to be evaluated in light of the church’s ability to continue funding ministry well.
Campaign & Giving
What is our fundraising goal for this phase of the project?
Our stretch goal for this campaign is $10 million, which is the estimated cost of the first construction phase.
How will campaign giving work?
The campaign will be a three-year commitment, with flexibility in how gifts are made. We will provide specific information on installments, appreciated assets, non-cash gifts, and other giving options before commitments are requested.
What is the timeline for the campaign and construction?
The fundraising campaign will occur this fall with commitment pledges in November and related contributions starting immediately thereafter. Our goal is to begin construction in spring 2027. A project of this scope would typically take roughly 12–18 months, although firm dates depend on design, approvals, fundraising, financing, and construction sequencing.
Can contributions be made prior to official commitments in November?
Absolutely. A number of members have already begun doing so to help fund upfront costs in the preliminary and estimating stages.
Are there significant tax advantages to how contributions are made?
Yes. Depending on individual circumstances, options can include itemized deductions, appreciated assets, Donor Advised Funds, and Qualified Charitable Distributions from IRA accounts. Members should consult their tax advisor regarding their individual circumstances.
