joomla templates top joomla templates template joomla

Our Challenges

FACILITIES & GROUNDS 
MAINTENANCE & IMPROVEMENTS


Completed Roof & 
Water Damage Repairs

Over the past year, First Lutheran’s sanctuary roof developed serious leaks that impacted the building’s integrity and the worship space's comfort and spirit. Temporary fixes were not sustainable.

  • Mold above the church offices made parts of the building unhealthy, and ongoing leaks disrupted services, discouraged attendance, and increased repair costs. 
  • Water damage from further rainstorms forced church leadership to take a Line of Credit loan to repair the roof and mold immediately. These urgent repairs were completed on time and within budget, restoring the building’s structural integrity and healthy environment. 
  • The Line of Credit is now a critical debt. Without repayment, it may cause us to scale back important ministries. 

Substandard Restrooms

Our restrooms are not welcoming, respectful, or functional facilities for our members, staff, or visitors. They are significantly worn, outdated, and original in many respects – those in the north wing are nearly 60 years old! 

  • The north wing facilities have broken, discolored, and outdated tiles and fixtures, as well as stained walls, plumbing leaks, and unpleasant drain and sewage pipe odors. The cramped stalls are inconvenient and difficult to use for families with young children and others needing more room. 
  • The north wing restrooms also are not ADA-compliant. This is unwelcoming and disrespectful to individuals with disabilities or mobility challenges. This does not reflect well on First Lutheran, which strives to be a place of community, hospitality, and care.
  • Additionally, the Narthex restroom has aging counters, flooring, and paint.

Completed Front Sidewalk Repairs

As with the needed roof repairs, weather compelled church leadership to take immediate action to fix the dangerous main entrance sidewalk. The cracked, uneven, and decaying concrete was hazardous, especially for anyone with mobility devices or unsteady on their feet. It was critical that it be repaired to create a safe, inviting entrance to our church. 

Other Sidewalk & Parking Lot Damage

  • While the critical front entrance sidewalk problem was repaired, remaining sidewalks, particularly the Putnam Street entrances, continue to pose significant injury risk. Also, their deteriorated and lackluster appearance does not reflect our vibrant spirit and welcoming atmosphere. 
  • Our crumbling parking lot’s uneven surfaces, potholes, and large cracks are unsightly and unsafe. They also make snow removal difficult due to dislodged, equipment-damaging chunks of concrete. 
  • Finally, our maintenance shed's garage door is missing a concrete pad. This makes access difficult for vehicles and equipment without damaging the grass. 

Inadequate Children’s Play Space 

Our classrooms serve our active and well-attended children and youth ministries, but we lack dedicated "play" space for kids to be physically active and socialize. 

  • Too often children, literally running the halls, create a loud and chaotic environment that challenges our multi-generational church. People of all ages using our building at the same time expect everyone, including active children, to be considerate and accommodating.
  • Not providing age-appropriate play space risks First Lutheran losing young families and disengaging our youngest members who are vital parts of our congregation. 
  • We know that play areas are important to children’s social and emotional well-being.We also know that by not having a safe, dedicated place to expend energy, we are not providing a family-friendly facility
that enables everyone to focus and fully engage in prayer, classes, and worship.

 

FINANCIAL IMPROVEMENTS

Line of Credit Debt

Due to the urgent need for roof, mold, and front sidewalk repairs, we currently have a $75,000 debt from the Line of Credit.

Because this debt was unplanned, it was decided that to help our cash flow this year, we would pay only the interest on the loan, which is about $600 a month. 

However, beginning next year, we must begin repayment of the principal as well as interest, which will increase our monthly payment to approximately $1,500 each month – or $18,000 each year.

This debt will impact First Lutheran’s programs and ministries. It uses funds that could better serve the work we are called to do in our church and the larger Algona community.

Additionally, we are called to be responsible spiritual and financial stewards of the gifts we are given. We need to ensure First Lutheran’s long-term financial health by repaying and re-establishing our full Line of Credit option.


Insufficient Facility Maintenance Funds

As good stewards of our gifts, we are called to care for our aging facilities to keep them safe and accessible places of welcome. 

  • Ongoing repairs are essential if First Lutheran is to continue to provide a home for its faith family and the larger Algona community.
  • We currently do not have a large enough reserve to ensure we maintain our building without limiting the reach of our budget or assuming debt as we just did to make critical repairs. 
  • Our operating budget is often impacted by the need to immediately address critical repairs. This forces us to delay ministries and outreach or defer non-urgent repairs. 
  • This lack of financial flexibility has contributed to significant facility problems, such as the leaking roof and deteriorating parking lot. 


PASTORAL LEADERSHIP

Pastor Needed

First Lutheran recognizes an urgent need to call and welcome a new pastor to shepherd its congregation and strengthen its ministry in Algona. 

  • Pastoral shortages are affecting many churches across the Synod due to a wave of retirements among aging clergy, fewer seminary students entering the ministry, and the increasing demands placed on pastors in today’s changing church landscape. 
  • Many congregations in rural and smaller communities are finding it difficult to attract and retain full-time pastors. 

Doing without a pastor long-term can have detrimental consequences for First Lutheran Church's long history by decreasing engagement and attendance, causing difficulty sustaining programs and outreach, and burdening lay leaders and volunteers with administrative decision-making.