MARK A. SIEBERT | VICE PRESIDENT 

Mark A. Siebert, McKnight Group Representative

“Stay The Course – Cut Sails – No Matter What – ‘Till Death Do Us Part – Follow Through”

I grew up in a family where commitment was valued and expected.  It was well demonstrated to me in the daily devotion of my parents to one another.  This upbringing has caused me to want to “stay the course” in all areas of my own life, and I am grateful.  I hope you had the same experience!

You see, when we are committed to something, we find it easier to throw of the things that hinder, and we tend to expend energy only on the tasks necessary to maintain the commitment, or reach the goal.

COMMITMENT to Target.

A clearly defined vision for a preferred future, especially in ministry, is key to building the kingdom.  When we clearly focus on a preferred future, and it is compelling, resulting actions become obvious.

The business community has this down!  They know target and they know vision and all their efforts are centered around results.  The church is different though, as our focus is not the same, yet, still there is focus, vision, and commitment. There is a commitment to relationships and meeting needs and healing hurts and commitment to removing any hindrance that would prevent the sharing of the Gospel.

The most difficult part of focusing on a target for our ministry effort is narrowing down to something achievable.  We simply want to reach the entire world!  But, we will be more successful when we effectively reach our corner of the world, right in our own backyard.  We know the people there and are familiar with their needs, so let’s reach them!  (Of course we can expand our vision once this is accomplished!)

McKnight COMMITMENT.

The church needs buildings. Therefore, church design is vital to ministry success.  Our commitment is to provide the best church design for your ministry and your target.

The McKnight Design Build process is a comprehensive approach to church design and building where we oversee and manage every phase of the project.  From master planning and the initial church design through the construction of the church, our team-orientated Design Build process gives church leaders the added satisfaction of having played a meaningful role in the development of an amazing new space.

Being on time and on target demands a knowledgeable, trustworthy workforce with decades of experience. After all, ministry can’t wait. The McKnight Group’s church construction and general contracting service ensures your new church or addition will be built on time, within budget, and handled by a company that knows what it takes to build a facility that will expand your reach and will work for years to come.

It’s not about a building.  It’s all about a commitment to reach people with the Gospel.

Mark

CHURCH INTERIOR REMODEL >12,000 SF
Owner: First Pentecostal Church of God In Christ, Battle Creek, MI Design/Build Firm: The McKnight Group, Grove City, OH General Contractor: McKnight Development Corp., Grove City, OH Architect/Designer: McKnight & Hosterman Architects, Inc., Grove City, OH

With a desire to touch the community in a family worship setting First Pentecostal Church consulted the McKnight Group for Church Design Build services and after careful planning purchased an existing “box” building that features a clear span and large parking lot. Former use has provided notoriety within the community – everyone knows where this is! This provided an affordable and flexible structure for a church design that works functionally as well as economically. This project is under way with local engineering and sub-contractor talent engaged. An early Fall completion is expected.

Gateway Church of The Nazarene will conduct Church Dedication Services
Sunday, April 29 10:00 am & 2:00 pm
140 Gateway Drive, Oskaloosa, IA 52577

General Superintendent Stan Toler Preaching In Both Services

Community Open House
Saturday, April 28 & Sunday, April 29 3:30-6:00 pm

MARK A. SIEBERT | VICE PRESIDENT 

Mark A. Siebert, McKnight Group Representative

It is easy to say “I understand”.  Much harder to have a depth of knowledge and proven experience that helps one find wisdom.

So how do we gain UNDERSTANDING?

At The McKnight Group, we believe experience is key. Begin with 40 years of working with churches specifically to reach the community and you have a great start.  Add to that a staff with personal education and experience in church leadership and passion to reach others for Christ and you start to build.  Combine this with numerous Church Design Build projects with churches that are actually experiencing growth by touching the community, and momentum is realized.

As a McKnight Group Representative, I represent the church to the Architectural Firm and Church Construction Company within The McKnight Group.  My key responsibility is to know the church and seek to understand their God-inspired vision in order to get the right people to the table at the right time.

UNDERSTANDING changes with time, as well as culture.

As culture and target changes, we strive to understand the affects on ministry.  As the economy and resources change, we find innovative solutions as a result of understanding value.  As the time shortens and opportunity changes, we understand the urgency of achieving results.

Great Church Design is built upon UNDERSTANDING.

When you are able to partner with people who understand that Church Design is not about a building, but rather about building the Kingdom by providing creative space to attract the community and enable ministry, you have a synergy that cannot be easily defeated.  As I stated last week, “When we understand the greater and desired outcome, together, the path is easily traveled and the destination visible.”

It’s not about a building.  It’s all about understanding just who we are going to reach with the Gospel, and commitment to get there.

Mark

The McKnight Group will be at the Wesleyan Church General Conference at the Lexington Convention Center June 2 – 6, 2012! Please stop by the Exhibit Hall and visit our President, David McKnight.

MARK A. SIEBERT | VICE PRESIDENT

Mark A. Siebert

If you arrived on this page through our website you probably noticed three large words on our home page.  ”Partnership, Understanding, Commitment.”  We believe these to be foundational to our existence and ability to provide great church design and buildings that work.

We experience differing levels of partnership.

Some churches prefer a simple “transactional” relationship where the project is already defined, releasing The McKnight Group to draw, obtain permits and build in a relatively short amount of time.  This works well and can be accomplished efficiently if the vision is very clearly defined.

“One of the biggest faults of pastors is procrastination. In their defense there are so many things on their plate today that it sometimes amazes me they can accomplish anything. The tyranny of the urgent is always pressing in upon them. Literally the work never ends. It therefore stands to reason that some decisions are just easier to put off until some other time when you are faced with finishing Sunday’s sermon. Yet procrastination can come at a high price.” – Mark Brooks, The Charis Group, Founder and President

CHURCH INTERIOR REMODEL  >5,000 SF
Owner: Mt. Repose First Baptist Church, Milford, OH                                                   Design/Build Firm: The McKnight Group, Grove City, OH                                                     General Contractor: McKnight Development Corp., Grove City, OH                                         Architect/Designer: McKnight & Hosterman Architects, Inc., Grove City, OH

McKnight Church Design Build Exterior Enhancement

With a desire to touch the community and remove barriers, Mt. Repose Baptist Church consulted the McKnight Group for Church Design Build services and after careful planning assembled a road map to reach the preferred destination.  Accessibility to the worship center and foyer gathering space were of central concern.  This project is under way with local engineering and sub-contractor talent engaged.  An early Spring completion is anticipated.

DAVID MCKNIGHT | PRESIDENT

How many times does God have to tell me something in order for me to “get it?”  This morning God made it clear what I needed to write about.

I went into my quiet place and read Exodus 14:

“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.”

It struck me that Moses, fully relying on God, was telling the Israelites to settle down, be calm, God will bring you what you need.  Then God lets Moses know, “get moving!”

Then, as I was looking through my email, I read a daily insight from Saddleback Church.  The main point?  Satan doesn’t mind bible study never applied.  The main verse for reference was this:

“Receiving, reading, researching, remembering, and reflecting on the Word of God are all useless if we fail to put them into practice. We must become doers of the word.” James 1:22 KJV

So, I’ve been awake for an hour and God has spoken to me twice about action.  Next I meet a member of my small group for breakfast.  We discussed how to create deeper relationships in our small group.  Since we have been together for a few years we should be more caring and connected with each other.  The time to act is now! Next meeting we will ask for a deeper commitment to move forward with caring and loving relationships and serving each other.

Wow.  I hadn’t made it to the office yet and God had hammered a point into my mind three separate times.  Take what I know and act upon it.  I heard him say, “Do what I have trained you to do, David.  Move forward!”

How often does church fail to act on what we know to do?  The excuses are many for not moving forward.  “Conditions are not right…,” the economy…”, “we are uncertain about the future… .’  Enough!

There is a time for praying, a time for planning and a time for action.  When God tells us to move, it is time to take action!

CHURCH ADDITION and REMODEL  >8,000 SF
Owner: Church of the Savior, Nicholasville, KY                                                                        Design/Build Firm: The McKnight Group, Grove City, OH                                                        General Contractor: McKnight Development Corp., Grove City, OH                                         Architect/Designer: McKnight & Hosterman Architects, Inc., Grove City, OH

Church of The Savior

The McKnight Group, along with the church leadership team, created a design and plan to move ahead with a project to compliment existing facilities and expand the church’s capacity for worship and education. This project will provide much needed education and lobby space which doubles as video fed worship overflow.  Parking, storm drainage, and septic improvements will meet current expansion needs as well as provide for future development. Construction began in early January with site preparation and minor demolition.  Local sub-contractor talent has been engaged with a Summer completion anticipated.