The project scope was developed by listening to the most common dreams expressed in our “Tree of Dreams” campaign. These included expanding our foyer into a true connection and welcome center, providing additional Sunday school classrooms, creating a covered drop-off area, and reopening the gym for children’s and youth activities. The current project scope reflects and fulfills these dreams.

Our Trustees partnered with an architect and construction contractor to create a plan that best uses our property. Estimates were then prepared based on square footage and the proposed designs.

Yes. Several other projects were considered, but these priorities were chosen because they provide the greatest benefit to the congregation and align most closely with the dreams most often expressed by our church family.

Having full use of the gym gives us greater flexibility for children’s and youth ministries, churchwide gatherings, and community events—without the burden of constantly converting it back and forth between worship and other uses. Our staff (parent council, etc.) will be praying and dreaming over the coming months to best determine how to deploy this space for ministry directly to kids and students.

Our top priority is the new construction: an expanded foyer, additional classrooms, and a porte-cochère. Because all projects are interconnected, the construction managers will determine the best sequence to minimize disruption. We hope to begin work in the spring or summer of 2026.

The funding approach will depend on both the total raised during the campaign and the timing of gifts (lump sum, annual, monthly, etc.). The Board of Stewards will carefully consider the best options to ensure construction continues in a responsible and timely manner.

Our prayer is that, through God’s grace and your generosity, all the funds will be committed to completing the projects. If not, the Board of Stewards will review the results and determine the best path forward, considering all available financial options.

We will begin inviting commitments from the whole church in February 2026, with gifts received over a three-year period. Some may give monthly, others annually, and others as a one-time gift. While giving will not formally begin until early 2026, you are welcome to start sooner— especially if spreading your commitment across additional tax years is helpful.

A capital campaign represents gifts above and beyond our regular tithes and offerings. Horizons Stewardship has advised us not to expect negative effects on the operating budget, though we may not see major increases during the three campaign years. Historically, churches often experience growth in operating giving beginning in years four and five, as generosity becomes a lasting habit.

Choosing not to move forward means settling for limited space and missed ministry potential. Guests will continue to enter through a cramped foyer rather than a warm and welcoming center. Both worship services will continue to be divided between two spaces, rather than sharing the beauty and unity of our sanctuary. A shortage of classrooms will constrain our ability to grow disciples. Fellowship across services will remain limited without a true gathering place. Children and youth will lack a dedicated ministry space, and our church family will be less equipped to serve both one another and the wider community.

We understand that it’s essential for church life to continue smoothly during construction. Our contractors will create a phased plan designed to minimize disruptions. While there may be occasional inconveniences, we will communicate clearly about any temporary adjustments (such as alternate entrances or room relocations), and our staff will ensure that worship, Sunday school, and ministries continue uninterrupted. While we are undergoing construction, both worship services will be relocated to the gym.

While expanded parking is not part of the current scope, our Trustees are aware of the concern. They will continue to evaluate parking solutions as part of our overall facility planning. We are currently aware that a large portion of our main parking lot is available during our 9:00 AM worship service, and on average, 50 parking spaces are available during our 11:00 AM worship service. In the meantime, the new porte-cochère will improve traffic flow and provide a safer, more accessible drop-off experience.

Yes. In addition to cash gifts, contributions may be made through the transfer of appreciated securities, property, or through estate planning gifts. Gifts can also be directed from retirement accounts, which in many cases allows donors to give tax-free. Each of these options can provide significant financial advantages while also making a lasting impact on the future of our church. Horizons Stewardship and our Finance Team can offer some overall ideas and direction on tax-wise giving, but we strongly encourage everyone to consult with their accountant or financial planner.

We recognize that circumstances can change over the course of three years. Your commitment is a faith-based estimate of what you believe you can give. If your situation changes, you may adjust your giving accordingly. Commitments are not legally binding; they are spiritual commitments between you and God.

Transparency is very important. We will provide regular updates through worship announcements, newsletters, email, and the church website. Progress reports will include construction milestones, financial updates, and stories of ministry impact. This way, everyone can celebrate together how God is using our generosity to grow His Kingdom. Although the campaign wraps up in February 2026, we will provide consistent updates through the three years of campaign collections.

Installing automatic roll-down shades in the sanctuary will provide both worship flexibility and financial stewardship benefits for our congregation.

* Better Worship Experience
The shades, which will be similar in color to the walls around them, will allow us to create the right environment for each service style while preserving the beauty of our stained glass.
● During the 9:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship Service, the shades can be lowered to allow for controlled lighting and colored accent lighting that enhance the worship experience.
● During the 11:00 a.m. Traditional Service, the shades will be fully recessed and hidden behind a trim piece along the top of the walls, keeping the sanctuary’s bright, natural, and traditional atmosphere exactly as it is today.
● This flexibility enables both services to thrive in one shared space, without compromising the integrity of either.

* Energy and Cost Savings
Beyond worship use, the shades offer a clear financial benefit. When lowered during the week — especially on sunny afternoons — they help keep the sanctuary cooler by blocking solar heat from entering through the large stained-glass windows.
● The U.S. Department of Energy reports that interior roller shades can reduce solar heat gain through windows by up to 77% and typically provide a 10–25% reduction in cooling energy use in commercial spaces.¹ ²
Based on those industry standards and our sanctuary’s size and orientation, the shades are expected to save about $1,200 per year in energy costs.
● With a total project cost of around $12,000 for the shades, they could pay for themselves in 10 years, with ongoing savings for years to come.

* Protecting and Preserving Our Sanctuary
By limiting sunlight exposure during the week when the sanctuary is not in use, the shades will also help:
● Protect pews, flooring, and wood from fading and UV damage
● Reduce wear on our HVAC system, which won’t have to work as hard during hot summer days
● Maintain a consistent indoor temperature, improving comfort for those using the sanctuary during the week

* An Investment in Stewardship and Flexibility
This project reflects both good stewardship and wise planning. It enhances the worship environment for all generations, reduces our operating costs, and preserves the beauty of our sanctuary for years to come — all while remaining visually hidden when not in use.
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¹ U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy – “Window Attachments” (energy.gov)
² Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, “Energy Savings from Window Attachments” Report, U.S. DOE Building Technologies Office

In our contemporary service, the use of lighting isn’t about making worship dark — it’s about helping people focus their hearts on God and minimizing distractions.
When the lights are dimmed and the shades are lowered, several things happen that help people engage in worship more deeply:

● It helps people focus on worship rather than their surroundings.
A dimmer room naturally quiets visual distractions. It allows worshipers to concentrate on the lyrics, music, and message without being distracted by movement or light coming through the windows.

● It creates a sense of intimacy and reflection.
Just as candlelight can make a prayer vigil feel reverent, controlled lighting helps create a worshipful atmosphere where people can sense God’s presence and respond personally. It’s not about hiding light — it’s about shaping an environment that helps people open their hearts in a different way.

● It builds emotional and spiritual connection.
Music, visuals, and lighting together can lead people to moments of joy, surrender, or awe — much like stained glass once did in traditional sanctuaries centuries ago. The tools are different, but the goal is the same: to help people see God more clearly.

● It helps new guests feel comfortable and less self-conscious.
For someone attending church for the first time — or returning after many years — walking into a bright room where everyone can see everyone else can feel intimidating. A softly lit space feels warm, welcoming, and safe, helping guests relax and engage without fear of standing out. The lighting helps create an atmosphere where people can encounter God without feeling “on display.”

Both worship styles are expressions of the same faith.
● In the traditional service, light streaming through stained glass lifts hearts in reverence.
● In the contemporary service, controlled lighting helps people encounter God in a way that feels personal and focused.

Both approaches honor the same Lord — they simply reach people in different, meaningful ways.

During the early planning stages, we explored replacing the pews in the sanctuary with individual chairs to increase flexibility for worship and other events. After receiving feedback through the church-wide survey, it was clear that our congregation values the pews. Based on that input, the decision has been made to keep the pews in place as part of the final design. We’re grateful for the thoughtful feedback that helped guide this decision.

This will be considered during the construction planning phase.

Every part of this project is designed with hospitality in mind. By improving our entrances, adding welcoming gathering spaces, and creating an attractive, accessible environment, we’re making it easier for newcomers to feel at home from the moment they arrive. A bright, open foyer, comfortable seating areas, and clear wayfinding will help guests connect with others and experience genuine Christian community. Our goal isn’t just to update our facilities—it’s to extend a visible invitation to our neighbors, showing that Bullard Methodist Church is a place where everyone is welcomed, valued, and introduced to the love of Christ.

All options are still on the table, but doing the work in stages would substantially increase the project’s total cost, making this an unlikely option.

Yes! Our immediate plan is to dedicate one of the new classrooms for the Youth. However, our long-term dream is to create a fully dedicated Youth Room using space on the second floor of the new building—a vibrant, welcoming environment designed specifically for teens to grow in faith, build friendships, and serve together.

Yes. The proposed luxury vinyl plank flooring, with its wood-grain appearance, will be much easier to maintain and keep clean than carpet. While a change in flooring can affect acoustics, any differences in sound quality can be easily adjusted through our sound system and setup. Overall, this flooring will provide a cleaner, more polished look while enhancing durability and ease of care for years to come.