The first step in a building program is the formation of the building committee. For large churches we recommend that the "building committee" be made up of at least three and no more than five different committees charged with a specific portion of the overall building program. Like a relay, they hand the information they have obtained over to the next committee. This procedure allows for the utilization of individuals with talents and gifts in specific areas, while reducing the time required for them to serve. It is, however, necessary for continuity that some individuals serve on all of the committees if possible. In addition to these major committees, there may be as many as 20 subcommittees utilized during the process. The more members of the congregation involved in the process, the stronger the building program and church will be as a whole. We also realize that in many churches, 10% of the congregation does 95% of the work.
Recommended committees:
1. Feasibility, research, and financial
2. Physical needs and basic design
3. Design and presentation
4. Permitting and construction
5. Transition and closeout
With small and medium churches, 250 members or less, often the building committee is made up of the pastor and a few advisers, or the elected leadership of the church. We have worked with churches where the pastor was the entire building committee and with building committees the size of a small church.
Each church is unique and the dynamics of forming a quality building committee depends on what is needed and what is available. There is no set rule that will fit every church.
Many building committees are plagued by a condition called "Paralysis by Analysis". This is when the committee continues to do need studies because there is no clear consensus. This may be because the committee is asking the wrong questions or the answers are not what they want to hear. We have worked with churches that had conducted needs studies every couple of years for decades and could not understand why the congregation was not excited about a possible building program.
After the initial building committee is formed, the next step should be to obtain as much knowledge as possible from outside sources (books, interviews with other churches, denominational resources, consultants, etc.).
Stewardship Services is very successful in helping churches formulate building programs that, when presented to the congregation for a vote, obtain at least 95% approval from the congregation. We feel this is imperative for a healthy program. If we get 90% or less of the congregational vote, then we have not done our job well and the program needs to be modified. This is different from trying to please everyone. We do not believe this can be done. What can be done is give everyone a chance to be heard and have their thoughts evaluated. This is usually all that is needed. Even if they do not agree, they will still be supportive if they know their misgivings were seriously considered. Remember also that it is possible they are right and their ideas will be utilized. Those who disagree usually are the ones who study the program most, consequently, they may see things others miss.
Stewardship Services will meet with any church to discuss how to proceed. This meeting may be with the pastor, the building committee, or the entire congregation. There is no charge or obligation for this initial meeting. At this meeting (which sometimes lasts for several hours), a church can obtain valuable information that may prevent many of the pitfalls that can loom ahead in proceeding with a building program.
Please call 904-304-7431 to set up an appointment. You may also complete the information request form or email us at sschurch@bellsouth.net and let us know how we can be of service.