No, the organ is a wonderful, unique and integrated instrument within the Worship Center. No changes are being made to the organ. In fact, great care will be taken to make sure no damage happens to the instrument and no dust gets into the pipes of the organ. A significant cost of this project is properly wrapping and protecting the organ during construction. These costs are well worth the investment to maintain the organ. All of the protective measures have been made in partnership and under the advisement of Wooddale’s organ consultant.

No. The pews are remaining and no pews will be taken away or added in this redemption project. The pews will receive new upholstery, which will be a more neutral color. The color of this fabric has been selected in consultation with our architects to help “quiet” the room in terms of color. 

Yes. A key part of this project has focused on improving specific areas of sound. The first is improving speech intelligibility. Currently, the room rates at .49 on a scale from 0 (no intelligibility) to 1.00 (perfect intelligibility). With these changes, the intelligibility will improve to .57, moving from the poor category to the good category.

Additional improvements to speech intelligibility would have a negative impact on the sound of the organ and orchestral instrumentation, which is why this level of improvement has been determined. Second, advances in speaker technology will allow for an improved distribution of sound throughout the Worship Center. This enhancement will help provide our congregation with a similar experience regardless of where they sit in the room. This includes an option to have people connect their hearing aids directly to the soundboard via Bluetooth technology.

Finally, new monitors (speakers) for the choir will be installed, allowing the choir to hear what is being said by the speakers while they are in the Choir Loft. All of these factors will help improve the sound in the room.

The nature and scope of this work will require Wooddale to relocate services for several weeks during the summer of 2026. These services will still be held at Wooddale’s Eden Prairie Campus, in a large tent outside. This will allow both the 9 a.m. Traditional and 10:30 a.m. Modern services to be held while still keeping the rest of the building open for Children’s Ministry, Student Ministry, 7 Corners Coffee and Community Groups, as normal. In partnership with the Wooddale Security Team, we will provide a safe and secure environment to worship, bathrooms will remain open and the building will be used for service in the event of severe weather.

While this project could be broken out over various phases, the work involves a significant amount of start-up cost, specifically the proper care and protection for the organ. Doing the work all at once avoids repeating start-up costs and eliminates the need to relocate services multiple times. Finally, by doing this work at once, it allows for proper integration of all technology-related elements as opposed to having to retrofit items later.

Yes. New video equipment is part of this work and these new cameras and related video equipment will significantly improve the online worship experience for those watching online, or those checking out Wooddale prior to their first visit. The majority of guests to Wooddale Church now watch online before physically attending service in the building.

No. This project will only spend the money given to the fund or specifically allocated to this work. Wooddale Church is debt-free and will remain debt-free through this project. Donations can be made the day after an affirmative vote by Wooddale’s Membership at the November 10 Annual Meeting. Money given at the end of 2025 through the spring of 2026 will fund the work done in the summer of 2026.

Please give to the Ministry Fund and consider gifts to the Worship Center Redemption Project to be “over and above” regular giving. The Ministry Fund covers all operational costs for Wooddale Church, including the staff and program ministries and funds our commitments to our Global Partners. Any reduction in giving to the Ministry Fund hinders operations for the church here, near and far. Please prayerfully consider any gifts to this Worship Center Redemption Project to be additional gifts. Even small gifts from each attender will go a long way toward making this project a reality.

Yes. Before donating, contact your broker with the following information to submit shares to Wooddale Church:

Wells Fargo Advisors
Account No. 8767-4061
DTC #141
Contact Richard Mathaus at 651.205.8962

For those considering end-of-calendar-year stock donations, please communicate with your financial advisor by the end of November to ensure your gift is processed in time.

Over a year ago, a team of key staff leaders was formed to begin assessing the Worship Center. This team includes Wooddale’s Senior Pastor, Chief Financial Officer, Creative Arts Pastor, Discipleship Pastor, Technical Team, Facilities Team, Traditional and Modern Worship Leaders and Teams, architectural firm HGA, technology integrator Clark, as well as consultation from several members who were part of the original construction. Wooddale’s Choir was consulted multiple times and provided invaluable feedback, which helped set the priorities for this project. Finally, Wooddale’s Board of Elders received multiple updates over the past year and provided direct guidance in setting the scope and financial limits of this project.

No. There is no constitutional requirement for a vote to receive these funds or do the work. However, Wooddale Church desires to be unified in ministry and decision-making. While a vote is not required, it is desired to provide ample opportunity for the congregation to hear about this project, speak into the decision and affirm the direction. Wooddale Church is better together and this step in showing support helps to build unity and honors God.

The Worship Center is a unique and intentional room. While there are some spaces in the building that committed and skilled congregants are able to help improve, the Worship Center requires professional labor, properly licensed and insured, to complete the work.