A church fire that caused over $250,000 in damages to
Banff Park Church last January resulted in positive growth for this small,
mountain community.
For starters, the congregation discovered what it means
to be a spiritual body of believers, without a common meeting place. They
also re-evaluated the purpose of their building.
The cause of the fire, which started in the back
stairwell of the A-framed structure January 21, is unknown. Smoke damage
resulted in extensive clean-up and restoration efforts. Since the fire, the
congregation of 150 has not been idle.
"People have just rolled up their sleeves," said Pastor
Norm Derkson.
Following the fire, the church hosted "lawn chair
prayer meetings" in the smoke-charred auditorium to plan for the future.
"It was a time to re-evaluate our use of the space,"
said Derkson. "For instance, the second level sustained the greatest amount
of damage."
Before the fire, the youth room was painted black and
housed old sofas, a foosball table and air hockey game. "It was a wild and
crazy youth centre upstairs," he said.
"What we need is a place to help people understand the
Bible and hear God’s voice."
The dedicated youth area meant the space was only used
a couple of nights a week. With the renovations, the space is larger and
brighter thanks to the addition of two large windows and gas fireplace,
which were donated. A coffee bar, sink and fridge were also installed. It is
now a multi-functional area for youth and adults. Teaching ministries,
prayer times, conferences, special speakers and focused times of
discipleship are all part of the renewed vision.
A member of the Building Restoration Committee, Jim Karras said, "The upstairs is going to be much more functional and flexible…
It’s going to give many ministries in the church an opportunity to get
going."
Improvements to the main floor include a larger kitchen
area, bathrooms with wheelchair access and a separate entrance for a
community food bank.
Another good thing to emerge from the fire has been
rekindled fellowship between volunteers.
Church member Paul Odland has spent one or two nights a
week helping out. An electrician by trade, Odland reflected, "The familiar
surroundings of the church family home have been missing…but the volunteer
time has been fun, there’s a binding and a bonding when you work with other
people."
Carpenters, builders, plumbers, electricians, lawyers
and accountants have all "been called upon to use (their) skills," said
Karras, a lawyer dealing with the church’s insurance company.
"I think it (the fire) has had the effect of broadening
our perspective of what the church is…We know it intellectually, we know
it’s our membership with Christ at the centre, but it’s been put to the test
because we’ve met at several different places in the past months."
The church has met at the elementary school on Sunday
mornings, which has meant members like Janine Soltis cannot retreat to the
nursery when her son fusses. She commented, "Despite the fact that the
church isn’t the building, I think the church needs a building. There’s a
sense of home and belonging to a building."
On Sunday evenings the congregation has met at a local
hotel and at Banff’s Full Gospel Church.
"Despite the offer of alternative meeting spaces, the
congregation is anxious to return to its own building," said Derkson. "A lot
of the volunteers are feeling weary…(they are asking) what’s taking so
long," he said, comparing the complaints to those Nehemiah faced during the
rebuilding of the temple.
"Personally, I felt great support from a number of
people. Our elders take me out for coffee and pray for me and ask me how I’m
doing. They’ve encouraged me to take time for the family, told me not to
work every night at the church."
Restoring the 6,000 square foot building has taken
longer than expected, but the congregation expects to return to its beloved
building by late August.
