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The ideal church planning committee will be multi-generational, both women and men, and include several members familiar with building and construction.
Given the uncertainty of recent years, it may be difficult for some churches to talk about future planning and improvements to their facilities. However, this might also be the best time to pull their congregations together and begin the visioning and planning process for moving ahead—because the process, after all, can easily take two years from initial planning to groundbreaking. In addition, the pandemic spurred new design trends for gathering and worshipping that many congregations may now want to consider incorporating into their future spaces.
Here are 10 steps to share with your church clients that can help them re-engage with their ministries' plans for the future.
1-select an energetic and competent committee
Reconvene an existing or set up a planning/building committee. Generally, this should consist of 8-10 key individuals active in the church community and interested in planning for the future. Ideally, the group is multi-generational, of men and women; and, if possible, includes a couple of members familiar with building and construction. Finally, appoint 1-2 members of staff to sit in on meetings to advise and inform the committee. In the end, energy, time to invest, and an open mind are the crucial requisites.
2-clearly define needs
Embark on defining the potential needs. The planning/building committee should interview staff, leaders of individual ministries, and lay elders. A crucial aspect of this work will be the review of the existing buildings and site conditions. Seek out members that are in the building trades for potential help with this task.
3-involve your people
Churches can develop 4-6 focus groups. Charged with discussing building issues and needs, groups of 10-15 members will also be presented with information gathered by the planning/building committee for review. A primary task for each group is to review the work, help set priorities, and to tabulate their comments to share with the overall congregation and share with their architect when the time is right.
4-document your results
Compile the information gathered into a document that lists the vision, goals, and needs for the future. Include the broad scope of changes for ministries’ physical needs and types of space required, as well as necessary improvements or upgrades to existing facilities.
5-consider hiring an outside planning professional
If steps 2-4 seem too daunting for a church group, it may be more productive to engage a professional church master planning firm. Churches can check with the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects for a referral list. Whomever they select, that person needs expertise and experience in guiding the committee members through the entire process. The correct professional will lead them through evaluating existing buildings, developing interview surveys, facilitating focus group discussions, and guiding the preparation of the final vision document.
6-build community by sharing the information
Your church clients can invite their entire congregations to a town hall-type of meeting to share the results, elicit their input, and to gauge members' interest. They should welcome participant feedback and document their comments. This church-wide meeting is the ideal opportunity to re-engage a faith community and build excitement for positive future improvements.
7-determine whether to move forward with a project
Church leadership, together with the planning/building committee, should assess all information, set a priority for improvements, and decide whether to proceed to the next stage of fundraising and beginning the first phase of design work.
8-select fundraising help
Most church projects, whether new build or renovation, have needed the assistance of a professional church fundraising consultant. Finding the right fundraising consultant for a church project is one way to ensure success. Your clients should be advised to reach out to other churches to get referrals and suggestions of individuals and firms with a proven fundraising track record. These professionals can lead the church through an accurate marketing campaign to determine the viability of raising funds, a crucial step in moving forward.
9-pick a design consultant
Once the decision is made to proceed, it's time for church leaders to think about outside help for design and cost estimating. Best practices call for selecting individuals and firms that understand church needs, fundraising opportunities, and have experience successfully taking congregations through the often-challenging design and construction process of a worship facility.
10-follow a plan
Develop a master plan first. In all successful church projects, leaders know where they are headed before they start. In this way, each phase will fit into a comprehensive whole. Consultants can help church clients determine a long-range plan for changes to their campuses that address the goals and needs that have been previously defined. Then, create a budget that is forecast out to the year that work will be completed, so the church will know how much money to raise.
Deciding to re-engage their faith communities in a process to renovate or build new facilities can seem intimidating to church leaders at this time. But professional advice and guidance can help make the process much easier and more efficient.
