The Master Planning Team’s mission is to effectively incorporate the Vision Team’s principles within a comprehensive master plan. It will also include such suggestions which are articulated in the Needs Analysis and Feasibility Study.

This team should include five to eight members, with key representation from Worship, Christian Education, Youth, Music and Finance, as well as the Pastorate. 

At the outset, the Master Planning Team should establish an effective mechanism for implementing its decision-making authority. That plan should represent the best thinking of its ministry-minded individuals as well as those of any technocrats who may presently serve the church in finance, Audio/Visual or IT roles.

The Master Planning Team’s mission is to effectively incorporate the Vision Team’s principles within a comprehensive master plan. It will also include such suggestions as are articulated in the Needs Analysis and Feasibility Study..

The Master Planning Team should be led by a recognized leader in the church. This individual should be chosen for the position of respect in which he or she is held by the congregation.  It is important that this person be able to clearly articulate the findings of the team to any audience. 

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Vision Team members work closely with the Master Planning Team to insure that the church’s established vision is implemented within the master planning concept designs. This team is the entity responsible for defining, publishing, and communicating the adopted vision to the church body and to the various design personnel. 

The Vision Team will likely be chaired by the pastor. His input is critical because he understands the ministry goals and the pulse of his congregation. 

It is our belief that he should also form the Vision Team. His selections will include key staff members, elders and deacons, or stewards. Ideally, he will seek out a gifted facilitator, as well as other godly individuals who understand and support the church’s mission. The Vision Team members should represent a blend of process and action people.

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Construction “support” teams are formed to assist with specific aspects of the construction process. Some examples of “support” teams would be the Interior/Decorating Committee, the Finance Committee or the Facilities Committee, etc.

When looking for construction support team members, look for individuals who love the kind of work they are being asked to do. Be certain, however, that they understand the limitations of their responsibility. It would be helpful if they knew that their self-perceived, limited, responsibilities will only be called upon at certain specific times within the construction process. 

One does not need a team member with talents in finance to become involved in decorating, etc. That individual, in all likelihood, would be a natural in assisting with financial packaging, should financing be required.

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Who serves on the building committee?  Opinions vary throughout the industry. 

My suggestion is that the building committee/team should consist of seven to nine mature church members who possess a strong understanding of the church’s vision. 

These are the people who represent specific ministries of the church, ensuring a comprehensive balance. They are ministry-motivated and will make far better committee members than engineers or other construction-related professionals who don’t share the vision. Unfortunately, “experts” on the committee often create more problems than they solve.

Ideally, all of the members will be committed to expressing their viewpoint honestly and articulately, without offending. The first goal of the committee should be to create an atmosphere which ensures respectful discourse.  

Once the committee is in place and functioning, it will be time to integrate their efforts with the input of experienced professionals (usually from outside the church). Each church, uniquely, establishes its own team format. There is no set rule in this regard.  

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Why is forming teams an important step when starting a church construction project?

As scripture puts it…

“And if you know of any among them with special ability, put them in charge…”

Genesis 47:6

A frustrated minister once said to his congregation: “Crying babies and disruptive children, like good intentions, should be carried out immediately.”

The right team will guide you through all the necessary steps, from budgeting and scheduling, through actual brick and mortar. 

How do I form a team?

Think of those people in your church who have expertise in certain areas.  If you have a banker, maybe put them on the financial team.  Think of those people who are experts in areas pertaining to your project.  Choose church members that are humble and excited about the vision God has given you.

Later we will look at specific teams and the decisions they will make.  For now, be jotting down those members who may have the knowledge and expertise pertaining to your church construction project.

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The first step in building a new church building is a feasibility study.  What is a feasibility study?  

In short, a feasibility study is due diligence.  It is finding out what you need (not what you want), what you can afford and how to phase out various building phases to fulfill the vision God has give your church.

Such an in-depth study will cover some of the following issues:

• Interviews and questionnaires with staff and lay leaders regarding readiness to build.

• Financial analysis to assist with project scope and to determine the need for a capital campaign.

• Site analysis to uncover possible issues such as impact fees, utility capacities and soil suitability.

• Church growth analysis to satisfy lenders should financing be required.

• Recommended building parameters consistent with concern for meeting both short and long term space requirements. 

Many more issues will be covered, in depth, in a full blown Needs Analysis and Feasibility Study.

Who performs the feasibility study and how much does it cost?

In order to produce a good in-depth study, the assistance of an experienced consultant is critical.  Be sure to engage one who specializes in Needs Analysis and Feasibility Studies for churches. Typically, this consultant will offer you an abbreviated (preliminary) version costing between $5,000.00 and $7,000.00, requiring about one month to completely.

Following your review/approval of the “preliminary study”, the consultant will suggest a full-blown study costing approximately $15,000.00 and requiring about 90 days to completely.

To summarize this post…“There’s a path”… you need to know where you’re going before you can ever expect to arrive at your destination. You do this through the medium of a Needs Analysis and Feasibility Study. 

Jesus speaks of a Needs Analysis and Feasibility Study in Luke 14:28… “for which of you wanting to build a tower doesn’t first sit down and calculate the cost…”

A thorough Needs Analysis and Feasibility Study will point you in a direction and show you the best possible way to get there. When due diligence is exercised, with prayer, God honors it. He makes what previously may have seemed impossible, possible!

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Phase five of a Capital Campaign is the Follow-up Phase.

Typically, this phase extends over the next three years. Experience has taught us that regular testimonies, from the individuals who have already made sacrificial commitments, are of great value. They serve as models and challenge others to maintain their commitments, as well. It is amazing to learn of the many people who have experienced financial freedom as a result of becoming obedient to God in stewardship. 

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Phase 4 of a Capital Campaign is the Commitment Phase.

This is really the time which has been set aside, on a designated day, typically near the end of the four to six week campaign. It is the point at which individuals and families make their spiritual and financial commitment to the Lord for the proposed building project. 

We often hear from church financial consultants concerning the phrase “not equal giving, but equal sacrifice.” 

I once served as the Pastor of a church in California where, on Commitment Sunday, a couple earning barely more than the minimum wage committed to giving an amount equal to 20% of their income. This promise was in addition to their ongoing commitment to tithe.

Knowing of their struggle financially, I thought these dear folk would not be able to maintain their commitment, even for three months, let alone three years. Wrong! They did!  

Predictably, they were also blessed over and over during that period in ways they had not experienced before. Their commitment was made following a twelve week series of messages on stewardship. Incidentally, only one week addressed stewardship in the context of money. 

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Phase three is often called the “Public Phase” and begins with a Kick-off Sunday.

This special Sunday is usually the first time the stewardship campaign details are shared with the congregation. It represents the beginning of a four to six week campaign to bring individuals into a deeper relationship with the Lord.  Note: The theme should not be about dollars, rather, it should be about the blessings associated with biblical stewardship. It is during this period that those who have been trained in the basics of the campaign will employ home visits and other types of relational events. Perhaps most importantly, it offers a great opportunity for the congregation to jointly share the good things God is doing in their lives as a result of their past commitments. 

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Phase two of a Capital Campaign is the Planning phase.

This phase is sometimes referred to as the “Silent Phase”, since most of the work is accomplished behind the scenes. Special campaign days may be planned, usually including a kick-off banquet. Publications are produced that will be utilized in keeping the congregation up to date. 

During this phase the heart of the church body will be given the opportunity to meet among themselves frequently. This is a great time for the team involved in planning to become committed to prayer for the entire capital stewardship effort. Remember, this is not just finances, it’s about stewardship. One pastor said to me about church finances, “It is not about money, God has unlimited resources, it’s about the faithfulness of his people. That makes the whole thing a spiritual issue.” 

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