"God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply."

• J. Hudson Taylor (1832-1905), English missionary to China

We have all heard of the distressing stories of building projects that have taken to long, run over budget, or even worse those that have been abandoned. The process of building a church that meets the needs of your ministry and congregation requires more than a picture of a larger and more beautiful building. Understanding the building process and the decisions you must make at each step will set the pace, cost, and overall long-term satisfaction of your building project. There are eight critical steps in the building process that you must carefully address:

Define Your Vision and MissionEnvision your church 10, 15, 20 years from now. Who will your ministry serve? What will your congregation look like? What will be your role in your community?

Identify Programs and MinistriesWhat programs do you need to support your mission? Look beyond preaching and teaching to consider programs such as Sunday school, children and teen programs, child care, after school care, elder programs, fellowship, vacation bible school, benevolence, food bank, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, bible study, meeting spaces, indoor and outdoor recreation, and much more. What is each programs space requirements, design considerations, and equipment needs?

Project GrowthDo you know the size of your current congregation and the number of people your programs currently serve? How you have grown to this point? What are the current demographics of your church and surrounding community? How demographic trends will impact their size?

Estimate Space NeedsThe total square footage the building will need is based on the programs identified and the growth projections of your church. Which programs and ministries are the highest priorities? Which can share space? Are there interior and exterior features that will impact the square footage or place design constraints on the building? For example, features such as a two story entrance with a cathedral ceiling, a round building, a playground and picnic area, parking, and accessibility for the disabled all impact the space and design requirements of your project.

Evaluate And Select A SiteDo you already have the land? Can your land accommodate the space requirements and features? Can you make adjustments to your plans? Will you need to acquire adjacent property or relocate to another property?

Create Your Financing PlanYou will need to determine what you can afford to build taking into consideration cash on hand, the amount of debt you can service, and the amount you can raise. Do you have a finance team? What is your budget? What type of loans, grants, and fundraising will you seek? Do you have all the necessary documentation needed to seek any required loans or grants? Your financial package must be complete and financing obtained before moving onto the next step.

Obtain Design PlansThe architectural design is critical to your building projects. The architectural design covers everything from room size to fixture placements. It is the basis on which building plans are created, zoning is verified, permits are obtained, and materials are purchased. Have you negotiated services with a reputable architect who has experience in building churches? Have you negotiated other design plans and services such as sound systems, acoustical treatments, security, and landscaping? Have you consulted an attorney to review service contracts?

Begin ConstructionHave you selected a builder who has experience building your style church? Does your builder have all the necessary laborers needed to complete the project? Is the builder willing to accept donated labor and materials as part of the project? Can the builder meet your project timeline and milestones? Have you identified and agreed to financial controls to reduce costs and budget overruns? Have you consulted an attorney to review service contracts?

This overview of the building process should help you gain the direction and focus needed for this important project. Its success will depend on your careful planning, willingness to learn all that you can about the process, the support of your congregation, and the knowledge of the experts you consult.