I think Cindy has the key to convincing people about painting - it's not that permanent! So, approach your nay-sayers with a deal: if the paint job is unacceptable after 6 months (time to get used to it) you will promise to paint over it in the most esquisite white paint available. Now, which idea do you prefer - the country scene or the temple scene?

I guarantee you won't be painting over it or I will come and help with the white job!

Then get other people in the congregation caught up in the plan and get lots of people involved in the job - its contagious! There is safety in numbers. I held a couple of info meetings, went to every adult SS class and women's meeting to share the vision - take puppets and popcorn and art supplies to get across the idea.

Have pictures of other churches to show what others have done. I gave a different church group a room to "do" with a plan and a budget. In this way, we got much more done than the budget would have allowed through generous donations.

Make sure the job is supervised and neat!

At kick off, have a big splashy event (we had a congregation hot dog/ice-cream lunch after worship) and invited everyone to a tour with hostesses in each room. Everyone LOVED the change. It was exciting. You would have to be a party pooper to object when everyone is ooohing. The older folk especially thought it wonderful for the children.

Just some ideas.... Catherine