Over the last several posts we’ve looked at some key steps in a church building project. Within any building project, there are many details that must be completed to have a successful outcome. But, it’s also helpful to have a big picture view of the process to understand how everything fits together. In this post, we’ll review the main components of a church project in one place and provide some links for more details.
The Church Design
The first goal in the church building process is to get the design of your church building down on paper. Here you start with a clear vision, identifying ministry needs and making sure leadership is unified behind the plan. Then the architect creates schematic drawings outlining the vision. There’s more to do, however. In order for a church building project to proceed, you need to address local building and zoning codes and get approvals, especially for any variances. You’ll also need to create an accurate budget for your church building project.
Fundraising for Your Church Building
The next component is funding. Once you have the exact plans, you can begin to share your vision for ministry with your entire church community. This will usually involve a stewardship campaign to raise funds for the building, and many times a loan (to be paid off by the pledges made) so that you do not have to wait for all the money to come in before you start building.
In order to get that loan, you will have to give the lending institution a lot of detailed information about your church, as well as a thorough budget for your church building or remodeling project. The documentation can take some time to gather, so it’s important to be working on it early in the building process
Building Your Church Design
With a plan for fundraising in place and financing approved, it’s time to move on to construction. But before actual building can begin, construction documents must be completed. These will guide your contractor during the building phase.
This is also the time to finalize the actual construction costs so that the proper funding is in place and then obtain needed construction permits. Once these elements are done, you can begin the actual construction of your church building.
How long does all this take? Generally, we’ve found that the entire process requires an average of between 18 and 24 months before a shovel can be put in the ground.
It is a long process, and not to be taken lightly. But the right church building can be the key to success for ministry in your community, so it’s a project worth pursuing when the time is right.
To learn more about the church design and building process, sign up today for the next in our free i3 webinar series.