FCCBC Office: Updates and Upgrades
The FCCBC Office and Building has been a busy place as we use this pandemic time to focus on updating and upgrading key systems. One of the lessons we have learned over the last year is that technology is vital to how our ministries can respond, adapt and accommodate uncertain circumstances. We are making some adjustments and investments to Church office systems as well as building systems/processes to better meet the needs of our building users and staff.
Our office has recently reopened with a Monday through Friday, 9am to 4pm schedule. Our intrepid Welcome Center volunteers have received training and have been working to keep our office running smoothly with staff working both in the office and from home. Those that visit our Welcome Center may notice some changes:
Garden of Dreams has updated their security system at the double doors leading to the staff hallway and near their entrances. They now have video monitoring at their main entrance and a new keypad entry system. To enter those spaces, an assigned numerical code or a key fob is required. These upgrades have necessitated an internet upgrade to ensure that building users, including the many GoD staff, can use their phones, computers and devices for their work.
FCCBC has a new phone system that can be answered from any staff cell phone. Several staff members now have direct dial numbers and can make calls from the church phone system from anywhere with an internet connection. Pray for our Welcome Center volunteers as they adapt to the new system and give them extra grace if you call during the week (especially if they hang up on you inadvertently!)
We have worked to streamline some processes at the Welcome Center. This includes improved processes for requesting financial support and greater security monitoring. The Welcome Center volunteers can now monitor all of our building cameras from the computer and/or an iPad at the Welcome Center. Additionally, if you come into our building to meet with a staff member or for other business, you may be asked to sign in. This is to ensure that we can support contact tracing and so that we are aware of who is in the building during our office hours.
A video doorbell has been installed at our main entrance and can be monitored remotely when needed.
We are currently researching options for our Church Management Software. We are looking into software that includes a mobile app for our faith community members to use from their smartphones, tablets, iPads and home computers.
The purpose of these changes and upgrades is to expand what radical welcome feels and looks like as we minister to the Battle Creek community during the week. We are focusing on cost effective, versatile options that meet our office’s evolving needs. It is our hope to have these transitions well under way and/or fully completed by the time larger gatherings and events are able to safely take place in our building.