NEEDS STUDY: An in-depth study undertaken to determine the current and future requirements of the facilities, based on present and projected utilization. This is accomplished through a survey of the existing programs the church is providing and programs planned for the future. It is imperative that the facilities (buildings and grounds) support the ministry of the church by providing adequate space for programming and growth.

 

SITE EVALUATION: Evaluate all church property to determine if it is being utilized to its maximum potential. Any projected expansion must insure that the long term needs of the church are protected. It also includes an evaluation of the adjacent properties and how they may affect church growth.

 

BUILDING EVALUATION: The condition of the existing building is determined through a physical inspection by Stewardship Services. When this evaluation is completed, the church will know exactly what is has and its condition (i.e., roof, plumbing, electrical, foundation, etc.). Since each church is unique, the leadership selects the areas to be surveyed based upon their church's specific needs.

 

HANDICAP COMPLIANCE:  The American Disabilities Act has established parameters for access to buildings for the handicapped. Churches have been exempted from compliance in many cases; however, the spirit of the Act is in keeping with the mission of most churches -- to minister to all people. Stewardship Services will evaluate the facility and make recommendations concerning accessibility and utilization by the physically impaired including designing and installing ramps, lifts, elevators, etc. Even though we often design and install elevators, it is important to recognize that there are many types of disabilities that need to be addressed in this evaluation. As congregations grow older, churches need to be aware that a person does not have to be in a wheelchair to need assistance in moving throughout the building, restroom usage, or being able to hear well enough to allow them to participate in all church programs.

 

LONG RANGE PLAN: After completion of a Needs Study and/or Building Evaluation, it is possible to provide a comprehensive Long Range Plan for the church. It is important that everything that is done today will not have to be redone later. Many thousands of dollars can be wasted by not looking far enough ahead. The Long Range Plan includes a basic design and drawings with cost estimates of all proposed renovations, repairs, future buildings, drives, retention areas, etc. These drawings are prepared by our staff architect and are to be used as conceptual designs only.

 

NEW BUILDING:   If the church is meeting in a temporary location, has outgrown their existing facility, or simply find it advantageous to relocate, it is even more important that a study be done.  Most churches today do not have the opportunity to eliminate the mistakes so many have made.  Example after example can be cited about churches that built too small or too large, or did not properly plan for expansion.  An architect can design a beautiful structure, but only the church can determine the ministry, and the ministry should always determine the size and configuration of the building.

 

RENOVATION:  Often a remodeling or renovation program is more stressful on the church than a new building.  An addition or renovation program needs to be designed to prevent as far as possible the disruption of the ministry of the church.  If proper care is taken to understand the needs of the ministry, a design can usually be done so as to support rather than disrupt.  It is possible that no matter what you do, there will be confusion, noise, dirt, rain, etc., that will drive everyone crazy for a while.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT:  In some special cases, we will function as the Project Manager/Contractor, however, we will only do this if we determine one of the following situations exist:

A. The church needs to expand or build but cannot properly fund the additional square footage needed and still continue to provide the existing programs of the church, thus causing a reduction in the ministry that made the expansion necessary.

B. The church has been hurt financially by a designer, architect, or builder.

1. The church has paid for plans it cannot afford to build.
2. The church has paid for a design that does not meet its needs.
3. A builder or contractor has not provided work or services that the church has paid for.
4. The lending institution or a large pledge has been withdrawn, leaving the church short on funds to complete the project.

 

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION:  Stewardship Services will assist the church in assembling their design/construction team. Depending on the project, this may include the architects, engineers, suppliers, contractors, volunteers, fund raisers, financing, etc.

Eighty percent (80%) of a construction project is usually committed in the first twenty percent (20%) of the design phase of the project.  With Stewardship Services helping the church determine exactly what it needs before actually starting the design phase, thousands of dollars and many hard feelings can be saved.

Historically, the church pays for all "grey" areas after the project has started. Stewardship Services specializes in eliminating these potential problems.

 

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: A major portion of our cost saving program is using volunteer labor.  We specialize in mobilizing volunteers to help in the physical construction process.  Stewardship Services provides training, tools, and supervision for those willing to take an active role in the building project.  It is often a surprise to the volunteers when they realize that they can cut studs, install drywall, build forms, pour concrete, paint, plant trees, clean-up, etc.

Volunteers sometime take on major roles like those at Christ Community Church in Allegan, Michigan.  They did all the carpentry, drywall, and painting, saving the church over $400,000.  In Allegan, we brought in volunteers from as far away as California to help with the building project.

Volunteers may also choose to take on minor roles such as they did at Addison Bible Church in Addison, Illinois.  The volunteers removed the existing baptistry and provided clean-up services, saving the church about $6,000.

The key to an effective volunteer program is to insure that those who give their time are able to be productive.  This comes from organization, training, and supervision.  Everyone is busy these days, so we must take maximum advantage of the time they can give to the church.

The volunteer program provides several excellent advantages to the church:

1. The workers get a feeling of ownership in the church.
   
2. Personal relationships are made with fellow workers that can last a lifetime.  When you are working side by side, you come to know your fellow Christians in a way that you may never have had a chance to before.
   
3. Many individuals learn that they can do more than just "go to church".   They can become part of the church.
   
4. The church historically grows 10% to 20% during a building program.  All the reasons for this are not known; however, we suspect it is largely due to volunteers talking about the project to people to whom they normally would never mention their church.
   
5. Many of our volunteers have been husbands who normally do not attend church services with their families.  Working on the building project provides them with a way to feel they can participate and contribute to the church.
   
6. And, of course, tens of thousands of dollars can be saved on construction cost.

 

SPECIALIZED SERVICES: Stewardship Services will modify any of the programs listed above to meet a church's specific requirements. A completely new program can be designed if necessary. We do not have to do a complete building evaluation if all that is needed is to evaluate the sanctuary or offices. We can do as little or as much as you require.

COST OF SERVICES:  All services are provided for a nominal agreed upon fee.   The actual cost is based on several factors, including amount of work to be done, how quickly it is required, whether or not the church can perform some of the tasks, the availability of grant monies, the needs of the church, etc.  All services are done with a guaranteed maximum price established prior to beginning work..