The Washington, D.C.-based American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported some encouraging news in late April. and then again earlier this month (http://www.aia.org/press/releases/AIAB083066).. Its Architecture Billings Index, or ABI, showed that inquiries for architectural services had reached their highest point since August of 2008, including the institutional sector, of which church facilities are a part.
Does this mean that new church buildings are popping up everywhere? No. But it does mean that more church leaders are approaching architects about proposed building plans, and to me that means that more church leaders are feeling optimistic about the future and their continued growth within the communities they serve.
And that's really where things get encouraging. When leaders of growing churches are stepping out in faith and resuming building plans, I feel like we all have a better chance of making it through the tough economic times -- with valuable lessons learned, economic restraint rediscovered, and with faith in God's provision as a driving force.
The May/June issue of Worship Facilities Magazine delves into some relevant issues that are ideal for growing churches today. We take a look at "Multi-Site Strategies and Solutions for the 2010 Church" in an exclusive report by Bailey Webb. One consistent thread in Bailey's coverage is that the multi-site model is taking off across the country -- as consultant Jim Tomberlin notes, multi-site is no longer a mere Band-Aid for space-strapped megachurches. It's a viable solution to help churches of any size spread out tendrils of the Gospel to areas of a community or the nation that may be under-served with the Word of God.
In the May/June issue we also take a look at what some consider boring: buying insurance for your church. Yet, in an engaging manner, longtime WFM reporter Martin Sinderman tells us why now may be the ideal time to consider our insurance coverage and any adjustments that can help us out economically both today and in the long run.
Read the print issue if you haven't yet had a chance. Take a look at the AIA news I reference above, in our "In the News" section of that issue. And let me know what movement you're seeing in your own ministry's growth, and how you're approaching the newly rising momentum.
You can reach me at cpadgett@worshipfacilities.com.
