The decision to undertake a significant church construction project can seem intimidating. Whether building a new church or remodeling an existing building into a proper gathering place, there is not a singular program that prepares pastors for the arduous task of seeing a building project to completion.
No matter what aproject looks like, it comes with a long list of factors that the church needs to consider, including:
These broad questions do not begin to cover the myriad of details that need to be examined and processed.
Since CDF Capital has over seven decades of experience in helping churches navigate complex construction issues, we offer the following introduction to spark conversation among your church team.
As with every major decision, any church project must begin with a clear understanding of the church's values and God's calling to employ them. The more clarity the leadership has about the church’s mission and vision, the easier it is to discern God’s will throughout this process.
Any construction process is an extension of common stewardship principles. All of our assets and resources belong to God, and we are expected to manage them responsibly and effectively.
It is essential that the entire congregation gets behind a building project. That can only happen when you move past practical and pragmatic considerations into a place where it is evident that your church is fulfilling a God-given vision for health and growth.
One of the best things a church can do in the early stages of the process is to gather a team of people committed to praying. They should receive regular updates about progress and decisions that need to be made. The goal is for the church to continually seek God’s wisdom and guidance throughout the entire project.
The focus would be on Solomon’s words in Psalm 127:1:
Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
Of course, you want God to be at the hub of this process. Committing to prayer at the outset is one way to ensure that He is.
When you are considering a building project, the choice comes down to one of three questions:
If the church owns the space they are currently meeting in, that makes the decision much easier. If there is sufficient space on the property for expansion, the church could investigate what it would take to build on our remodel.
Yet even if the church owns the property, there are times when expansion is not an option. This might mean searching for an existing structure in the community and converting it for use in worship. LifePointe Christian Church in Elk Grove, CA did just this when they renovated an old Harley Davidson dealership for their building.
Some churches have no other choice but to build a new building from the ground up. The luxury here is the absence of limitations of remodeling an existing building. Yet the tradeoff is that building a new facility from scratch can be quite expensive and time-consuming.
The step a growing church needs to take might be obvious, but it is still worth it to spend some time looking at options and wrestle with the pros and cons of each.
Raising money for a building project is no small feat. This is where a great deal of the church’s attention and energy will be centered. Typically, a church will conduct a concerted capital campaign to raise additional dollars. Their are numerous fundraising experts who assist churches in structuring well-thought out and strategic campaigns. The leadership team should explore this options, asking other churches with successful campaigns how they did it.
If the church hasn't already saved funds to cover the cost of a construction project, they will need to raise a significant amount of money within a short period.
When it comes to securing funds for a major project, most churches will need to secure dollars through debt. The building process has a lot of upfront costs that a church may not be able to cover if they are still fundraising through the process. Early on, we at CDF Capital counsel leadership teams on the right strategy to ensure the loan is managable to only complete the project but to pay down the debt after construction has ended.
Securing a construction loan does not negate the need to conduct a capital campaign.
If a church is plugged into the community, they might investigate the possibility of sharing space in the new or renovated buildings. More non-profits are struggling to maintain facilities on their own so numerous churches are collaborating with like-minded ministries to better utilize existing space. Leasing out the building to schools or food pantries might further the mission of the church while generating additional dollars to pay for the project.
Large-scale construction projects require all hands on deck. Success requires that everyone in the church is behind the project and making sacrifices to see this dream become a reality. A core team should be assembled in order to drive the project and see it to completion. If this team is not well defined at the outset, the responsibility will fall on the pastoral staff who are typically already stretched thin.
Ideally, a single point person would manage the project and oversee the team. If the church has an executive pastor, they often assume this role for the congregation. If the church doesn't already have someone seriving in this capacity, the responsibility should be assigned to a driven and organized individual. They will keep the project on track, coordinate the teams, and facilitate all the necessary communication.
This is the part of the process that takes the most intense research. Construction litigation is second only to medical litigation in the United States. Conflict in a construction project can cost the church both time and money. This is why a church should be deliberate and strategic in the way they select an architect, general contractor, or design build firm.
Our team at CDF Capital counsels churches on how to approach the deceition. Regardless of the outcome, churches should do their homework and make sure that all contracts are clear and comprehensive.
Construction timelines are never set in stone. Eventually, some goals and timetables will be altered.
From the outset, a church should plan well. To recap:
A church's facilities provide a home base for ministry to take place. Space plays a vital role in a faith community. We at CDF Capital would be honored to help you further explore the opportunity to make your God-given dreams a reality.
