Building contractors picket outside church

On Sunday, the Rev. Kevin Goos preached about praying for and forgiving those who "persecute" others.

It's a common topic for a sermon, good for conveying a general message without taking aim at any one person. But on this day, Goos had certain people in mind: the five picketers outside his Mountain View Wesleyan Church, 3445 Oro Blanco Drive.

Goos asked his 250 parishioners to pray for and forgive building contractors who claim that the church owes them $515,000 for construction of a new 25,000-square-foot building.

The controversy centers on the nature of the building contract that both parties agreed to in 2006. Goos said it was a fixed contract of $1.6 million, which meant the cost could not increase. Mitch Christiansen, owner of Century Commercial Builders, the project's original general contractor, said it was a variable contract, meaning the cost could rise.

In April 2008, Century Commercial Builders told Goos that the building would cost more than $2 million. A few months later, Mountain View fired Century Commercial and brought in a new general contractor.

The congregation had been worshipping at Doherty High School. Worship services began at the new building Nov. 30; church staff members moved into their offices a few days ago.

Goos said the church has paid at least $1.1 million to Century Commercial and hundreds of thousands of dollars to other contractors to finish the job.

"We are swimming in deep waters," Goos said of the church's finances.

Christiansen, meanwhile, has not only placed a lien on the church, but he and four other contractors picketed outside the church on Sunday, and plan to do it again in the coming weeks.

"They should practice what they preach, ‘Thou shalt not steal,'" Christiansen said.

Both sides have retained attorneys to look over the contracts, but no lawsuits have been filed.

"We ain't done yet," Christiansen said.

Goos said the controversy has been troubling, but positive things have come out of it. The congregation has raised money and helped finish the building, Goos said, and has had a chance to practice Christian principles.

"Our response in this situation will always be one of love," Goos said.

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CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0367 or mark.barna@gazette.com.