We have been fortunate to have a dedicated and committed Sexton team caring for our facilities and assisting us in our ministries for many years. James Williams just passed the 20 year mark of being a Broadway staff member on September 20, and Don celebrates 20 years on October 1. We previously celebrated Barbara Bridger’s 14 year anniversary in July. Please take some time to let each of them know how much you appreciate all that they do for Broadway.

From the end of September until November 7, I will be away from the church observing a time of sabbatical. I am so thankful for this opportunity that Broadway offers to ministers every five years. During my sabbatical, I will take time for rest, travel, and talking with other ministers serving in Spiritual Formation and Discipleship areas. I look forward to returning to Broadway in November with some great new ideas for studies and small groups!

A few months ago, Broadway learned that it was the recipient of a very generous bequest from the estate of June Hook. The family indicated that she particularly loved the steeple of our sanctuary and so designated a portion of this bequest to the Capital Campaign with a request that we use these monies for the steeple repairs and painting. The remainder of the bequest was split among our three endowment funds.

This generous gift allowed us to immediately address the steeple repairs and now, those repairs are complete. The total cost for this project was $33,060, close to our original estimate when presented to the congregation. However, we were able to find a contractor who was willing to do the work without scaffolding and our next lowest bid was more than $20,000 higher (with scaffolding). We must keep this in mind when this recurring maintenance issue is again confronted in ten to fifteen years.

Monies that have been spent also include the expenses of the Capital Campaign. That total was $11,075, most of which was for our outside consultant. This also includes all stationery, printing, and mailing costs. We feel that we were frugal with these expenses, particularly when the first consultant we contacted wanted over $28,000 for his fee alone.

We have also authorized $3,000 to Dumas Architects for architectural drawings for the bathrooms renovation project and $1,600 for oversight of the project (meeting with potential bidders, help with evaluation of bids, and ensuring that the contractor is complying with specs). The start of this project is dependent on our grant application to the Gheen’s Foundation, the result of which we will receive in late September.

We obtained bids on replacement of the asphalt shingle roof over the music suite and the FLC, but advice from a reliable roofer indicated that he felt we had a couple of years of use left. Accordingly, we spent (from regular budget) $500 to tighten up the roof around the stacks and at the flashing. We will reexamine this next year, but it is comforting to know the monies are there if it becomes an issue.

Also, quotes have been solicited for repair of the front cornice of the sanctuary and replacement doors and windows in the parlor and breezeway, but no decisions on these have been made. 

Broadway Baptist Church,

As some of you know, in between my time ministering in Elizabethtown and Shelbyville, Emily and I attended here as guests for about two months. During that time, we were greeted warmly every week, welcomed into Broadway’s community, and ministered to through worship each week. When God called us out to serve in Shelbyville, we left thinking how wonderful this congregation was, and what a blessing it might be to worship and serve here. Little did we know that fifteen months later, God would call me back, to serve as the Minister with Youth, and we have again been a part of the wonderful community of faith for the past three years.

One thing I have learned is that God’s call on our lives is not stagnant. God continues to call us in different ways throughout our faith journey. This is an act of love and of grace, that God does not call us and then leave us to drift on our own. But there are times when that call can be bittersweet. This is where Emily and I find ourselves now. After a personal discernment process that began many months ago, I accepted a call to be the next Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church of York, SC, which means that my last Sunday as Associate Pastor here at Broadway will be October 2.

As I look back on my time here, I realize that I am filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. You allowed me time to finish seminary. You have given me the opportunity to try new things in ministry. You have trusted me with your youth on trips across oceans, and to different states in our own country. You saw and affirmed gifts I possessed that I could not have seen myself, through ordination. You helped welcome my daughter into this world, and taught her that church was a place where she is loved and accepted. You have been patient with me as I’ve learned to be both a dad and a minister. You have given me the opportunity to see your youth grow into leaders and young adults, and granted me the privilege of working with them on a weekly basis. You have given me far more than I could hope to have given you. You as a congregation have shaped me as a minister, as a person, and as a disciple, and for you and your ministry, I am grateful.

As we both move forward, I am confident that Broadway will continue to minister with excellence to those within her walls, and those in her surrounding communities. Broadway has many exciting opportunities on the horizon, and while I am disappointed that I will not be able to play an active role in those opportunities, I feel strongly that these opportunities will further help Broadway to most effectively fulfill her mission: to learn, live, and proclaim Christ’s message of grace, hope, and love through worship, fellowship, and service. Broadway will always be a home to Emily, Tessa, and me. For Broadway, for each of you, and for the grace of God’s call, I give thanks.

In Christ,

Chris Liles