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Phase I Interviews
PHASE I INTERVIEWS
Phase 1 Contents
Interviews for phase one were stakeholders, decision-makers, and other parties that would be instrumental in launching the ministry.
Introduction
This is a record of interviews that were part of the formation and initial development phase of the Apartment Chaplaincy pilot project at Boulder Park Apartments. This researcher, John Golling, sought to carefully determine the values, goals, and expectations of the stakeholders of the ministry, and the location in which the ministry would be required to function. I am calling them interviews, because I use that term to describe conversations in which I am intentionally trying to connect with an individual on a professional level, and in a personal way, to learn what I can about their values, goals, and perspectives in reference to a specific topic. Because I believe that God designed humans to function best within relationships that are characterized by trust and mutual edification, my hope is to ignite the creative process by establishing rapport and connecting personally to those with whom I work or serve in any context.
The first interview was with Jim Bakke, the de facto owner of the Apartment Complex, who initiated the idea, and is also the primary decision-maker regarding funding for the ministry. This phase also included two interviews with Ashely Chiles (from Great West Properties), the manager of the complex, and one with John Boyle, the manager of Great West Properties, and direct supervisor of Ashley Chiles. There were a total of four official interviews, and there were also several conversations that took place throughout this period of time, primarily with Ashley Chiles.
Phase 1 Interviews Contents
Interviews for phase one were stakeholders, decision-makers, and other parties that would be instrumental in launching the ministry.
Phase I Interviews
Jim Bakke
Interviewee: Jim Bakke
Position: Barnabas Foundation, Trust Fund Manager, Owner of Boulder Park Apartments
Date: Aug. 17, 2022
Location: Puyallup Food Bank, 217 W Stewart Ave, Puyallup, WA 98371
Others in attendance: Shawn Manley
Recording Media: none
Abstract: I (John) was hired as the Registrar at Covenant Bible Seminary (CBS) in August of 2022. Shawn Manley, the President of CBS, introduced me to Jim Bakke, from the Barnabas Foundation, based in Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Bakke manages a trust fund which has Boulder Park Apartments as part of its holdings. Mr. Bakke, Mr. Manley, and I, met on August 17, 2022 to discuss the concept of an Apartment Chaplaincy ministry at Boulder Park.
Background: Boulder Park Apartments was owned by Dr. Merritt Lawson, founder of Covenant Bible Seminary. Dr. Lawson worked with Jim Bakke and the Barnabas Foundation so that after his death, the apartments would become part of a trust fund. The fund would be managed by the Barnabas Foundation, and proceeds from the fund would be distributed to several Christian ministries, as designated by Dr. Lawson.
In December of 2018, Dr. Lawson passed away, and Jim Bakke, as trust fund manager, became the de facto owner of Boulder Park Apartments. Mr. Bakke had become aware of the concept of apartment chaplain ministries, and wanted to explore this as a possibility for Boulder Park. He believes this would create an environment for positive impact in the community by providing the spiritual resource of a chaplain to residents. His understanding was that this kind of ministry had been demonstrated to increase resident satisfaction, create a more positive community atmosphere, and these would lead to reduced turnover.
In August of 2022, John Golling was hired as the part-time Registrar of Covenant Bible Seminary, and was subsequently introduced to Jim Bakke.
This conversation on August 17, 2022, between Jim Bakke, Shawn Manley, and John Golling, was the inception of the apartment chaplaincy ministry at Boulder Park Apartments.
In the months that followed, John Golling conducted research and developed a conceptual model and funding proposal for an apartment chaplaincy ministry at Boulder Park Apartments. The proposal was approved and the model was adopted. This model included creating a part-time, off-site apartment chaplain position, a budget for events and supplies, and a tuition benefit so the chaplain and ministry could utilize the unique resources available to Kairos University Doctor of Ministry research projects.
In January of 2023, I was hired as the part-time apartment chaplain, and began the next phase of the project, which was to interview other stakeholders, such as the complex manager, and the management company director.
Reflection: Over the last 30+ years of ministry, this researcher has noted that many times what appears to be “success” in the measurable outcomes of any particular ministry endeavor is a combination of a particular set of circumstances that present themselves, a leader who is observant to those circumstances, and that leader making a series of choices in response to those circumstances that result in those outcomes. Like a surfer watching the ocean and waiting for a swell that will result in the desired ride, there is a symbiotic relationship between a leader and his circumstances similar to a surfer and the ocean. As followers of Jesus, we recognize that He, and our Heavenly Father, and the Holy Spirit are communicating to us in a variety of ways. We recognize that Jesus seeks to manifest His Kingdom on earth, just as it is manifested in the spiritual realm of Heaven.
The measurable “outcome” of securing the funding for this ministry was in large part due to this interactive process of response to situations that surrounded the leader. This is important when it comes to filtering which elements of the project may be transferable to other contexts.
One thing that is becoming increasingly clear from this project is the importance of getting support from the stakeholders, particularly the owner of a property where the desired ministry is to take place. In this case, the ministry was actually initiated by the owner, and this became a key element to making the work fruitful, and sustainable.