Our Process to start…

Before we design anything, we want to understand your church’s vision, values and culture - your unique DNA. We also need accurate information on ministry area populations, historic growth along with finances. We advocate an initial process that enables a rapid yet thorough assessment, often jump-started through a weekend intensive that helps staff, leadership, key volunteers and the congregation to focus on the future possibilities. The following 7 steps are fairly typical of what is involved to get to the point of having a strategic master plan and design with budget costs and a project schedule.

1 - a virtual meeting with leadership

This is a way for us to discuss your needs and how we may be able to help you without any obligation to engage our services. This helps us both decide if we would be a good match for your ministry and needs. We discuss costs, process and time frames. If the match seems right, we schedule the next steps.

2 - information gathering

We will identify information we want to receive in advance of our on-site visit. This typically includes attendance statistics, plans of existing facilities if they will be altered or expanded, by-laws, vision documents and financial data. This enables us to start to populate our spreadsheets and develop questions.

3 - weekend intensive

We come on site on a Friday to meet with ministry staff and tour existing facilities or see your new building site.

Friday evening is usually a meeting with a building committee or other leadership team that will be guiding the project within the church. This is when we get clarification of goals and desired outcomes.

Saturday is spent in ministry area work sessions where key ministry area volunteers and leaders meet with us to understand their needs and wants, share ideas and when necessary, temper expectations. It is usually a long and intense day.

On Sunday we observe everything that's going on; people flow, parking, worship, kid’s ministry nursery, etc., and sometimes will share in the service.

After the services, we meet with the governing board or leadership representatives to give an initial assessment of the church’s objectives, project potential and obstacles. We then discuss the next steps, chart the path forward and attach a preliminary schedule to the major project activities.

4 - Programming & budgets

We crunch the data, consider input from the Weekend Intensive to develop a detailed building program with phasing that is trued to a realistic budget. Our budgeting is developed with two primary things in mind: 1) account for all project costs and 2) make sure it is affordable so as to not divert funds from ministry. These documents guide the design and any phasing in a master plan.  

5 - preliminary designs

Based on your approved program and budget we consider options of how to meet your objectives. Many times we see several options that we’ll bring to you to consider. In other instances there is one solution that clearly seems best. We use block diagrams and site models to convey the information initially, vetting out the option that best aligns with your objectives. We then refine this option into a conceptual model that leadership can understand enough to endorse it as an appropriate solution.

6 - refine and confirm

Many times there are steps that must be taken to validate the viability of a plan. This may include obtaining governmental approvals or verifying wetland boundaries or other environmental issues that could stop the project or redirect it. In such case a design may need to be refined and studies performed so that you know the plan is realistic before attempting to raise funds for it. 

7 - Raising funds

While we are not capital campaign consultants, we bear in mind throughout the process that funds will need to be raised and congregational engagement is key. The Weekend Intensive serves as a sort of kick-off to the publicly visible project activity and starts to raise excitement in the congregation. To not lose any momentum, we want to position you to get into the campaign within 3 to 6 months thereafter. We provide you with the visuals to help the congregation to Envision the Future and see what their gifts and pledges will go towards. (SEE ENVISION)