Planning and funding a church building can feel overwhelming. Between church design, obtaining loans, fund raising, and the like, the sheer weight of the decisions involved means that church leaders can find themselves unsure of where to begin. Rest assured that The McKnight Group has guided many churches through this journey. Here are some key areas we recommend evaluating as you prepare to move forward with a church building project.
Start with Ministry Evaluation
Before you even begin a church design, take a hard look at your ministries. Are they effective? Is your church facility being used strategically to support the ministries you want to grow? Avoid the trap of over-building. Wise stewardship can mean building what is necessary for effective ministry—not more.
If a ministry is historic but no longer fruitful, it may be time to reconsider how space is allocated to that ministry. These can be difficult conversations, but they’re essential. A building should support and reflect your current and future mission.
Explore Creative Options
A new building isn’t always the only or best solution. Ask: can we remodel existing space? Do we have underutilized areas that could be repurposed? Can we phase construction to spread out costs and meet urgent needs first?
Phased building allows you to start with what’s essential and expand as funding allows. Another option is the multi-site model—using different locations or venues to augment a single building. Also, consider how your current facility is used throughout the week. Can it serve multiple purposes or host different ministries on different days or nights? Creative solutions like these can often align more closely with your budget and ministry goals.
Don’t Wait for Costs to Drop
One common misconception is that construction costs might come down if you wait. Unfortunately, history shows us that waiting can backfire. Since the pandemic, construction pricing has seen significant fluctuation. While some costs went up by 60% and then partially retreated, they are still greater than they were before that large increase. Also, recent supply chain issues and now the talk of tariffs will likely continue to drive prices higher.
Bottom line: It’s unlikely that building costs will decrease significantly. The most cost-effective time to build is usually now. Waiting could mean paying more and losing valuable momentum in your ministry plans.
Plan and Be Ready to Act
One of the most important things you can do is stay in a state of readiness. Keep planning. Know what you’re looking for, what you need, and what you can afford. When an opportunity presents itself, like when a promising piece of land or an empty building comes on the market, you’ll be ready to act.
At The McKnight Group, we know that every church has unique needs. That’s why we offer free webinars through our i3 program, designed to equip church leaders with the insights, ideas and innovations that they need for effective church building. We invite you to explore our upcoming topics and register at our website.