Old church needing work, how to effectively inspire help?

[Gigaquad]

Our church was poorly designed for drainage and it's really causing problems with water and mold in the walls. We've patched it up as best we can but we really need to get our flat-roof guttering rebuilt. Quotes from professionals are running into the $50,000 range including a french drain to steer runoff away from the foundation. This isn't affordable for our little church.

Here's my thoughts. I think we can fix it ourselves with some good old barn raising power and a bobcat skid steer but our congregation is about 150 on Sundays, with only about 35 being able bodied men. Of that almost no one (2 members) seems interested in volunteering to put in a work day.

I'm sure if I could get 10-12 guys to put in a weekend we'd be good to go. But I'm a little unsure how to go about lighting a fire of inspiration under these boys though. Any thoughts?

 

[FutureAndAHope]

I'm sure if I could get 10-12 guys to put in a weekend we'd be good to go. But I'm a little unsure how to go about lighting a fire of inspiration under these boys though. Any thoughts?

Maybe you could try having a BBQ (food) or something on the day. Make a family lunch of it. Just an idea.

 

[parsley]

It might be helpful to describe what the work will entail, since people who have not done it before might assume they have no expertise and should stay out of it. A published plan would also help the team get moving more effectively on the work day.

You could also look into grants. Your church might be a building that the historical society wants to preserve.

Hire a knowledgeable contractor to lead your team in town-approved construction, so you don't need to make corrections later.

God owns the cattle on a thousand hillsides -- ask Him to round some up!