Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Mountain Park First Baptist Church
Mountain Park First Baptist Church in Stone Mountain walkthrough video showing proposed improvements to their foyer by Foreman Seeley Fountain Architecture.
Friday, November 15, 2013
The Changing Youth Building
By Jerry A. Fountain,
Architect, AIA
A few years ago Oldsmobile ran a commercial that said, “This isn’t your father’s Oldsmobile.” A similar statement can be said for some new youth buildings being built today across America. And to that I say, “Thank God!”
For far too long churches have given the youth programs the ‘left overs.’ George Barna indicates that the typical church appropriates less than 3% for the youth in the budget while the youth make up approximately 11% of the membership. Churches have been saying to the youth, “You really don’t matter.” Is it any wonder that the youth are leaving the church in droves? Satan has certainly done his job of enticing them away. M.T.V., Hollywood and popular music captures their attention and grabs them. It is high dollar, loads of fun entertainment targeted directly towards them and in their face everywhere they turn. It’s a war for their hearts and minds and ultimately their soul.
Very few churches realize this and have done little to combat it. A few churches have attempted to do something…. Like build a gym. Ride by many of those churches today and those gyms sit empty 99% of the time. A good well intentioned idea, just not thought completely through.
But a few churches have gone on the offensive by providing youth programs designed to reach youth with more than just basketball. They are providing facilities that reach to the very heart of who youth are. Youth are extremely social beings. They like to congregate in small and large groups. This is how they feel accepted.
One such facility is Eastside Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia. This facility is open, bright, entertaining and youthful. The youth leadership of the church wanted to provide a place where kids could go for clean social activities, get help with homework, and find acceptance seven days a week. The building was designed to answer all of these and more.
First, the main hall is large and open. Two story windows allow natural light to fill the central hall where a coffee shop with an improv stage, game area, and lounge are located. The glass windows also give a sense of invitation by providing passersby a tease of what is inside.
A wrap around mezzanine provides area for one on one conversation areas while not removing the small group from the overall space. The openness also allows the kids to be observed at all times while not providing feeling of an over – bearing ‘big brother’ effect. Even the staff offices have windows that look out over the room, thus providing the security needed for the parents.
Classrooms are outfitted for traditional Sunday School, however, they can be used during the week for after school tutorial instruction. The building also includes study areas with internet access to allow students to do homework. Two lecture hall/assembly rooms are equipped with a theatrical lighting and sound package that would make many churches envious. These features allow those spaces to be more than just a gathering for the group, but a place where the kids can perform dramas or even bring in a Christian band for a concert.
While all of these features appeal to the youth’s
human and secular senses, the lay leadership mandated that everything be bathed
in prayer and to be the central focus. That is why the prayer chapel is front
and center in this building. It literally and figuratively is the cog for the
entire building. Each kid passes this room to and from the rest of the campus.
Except for the view window in the door it is a windowless room, save the
skylight that draws your attention heavenward.
Al Arrington, the chairman of the Building committee quotes the building as saying, “I am natural, open…. Stay here a while and learn about me, feel warm and comfortable and loved, and , by the way, while you are here, learn about the naturalness of loving God and His Son Jesus.”
While the facilities themselves don’t guarantee results, they do provide a springboard for new and innovative programs; programs that give youth a sense of belonging and value, and isn’t that what the gospel is all about.
Now not all churches have the budget or financial strength to provide a facility such as Eastside. But look around your church campus. Where do you have the youth? Is it in that old building out back that no one else wanted that is literally about to fall down? What could your church do to “fix it up” so it is a place the youth, and church, could be proud? Or is there a better place in your building that could be renovated, even if it is a couple of classrooms?
If you would like to tour Eastside’s facility, please give us a call and we’d be happy to arrange it.
A few years ago Oldsmobile ran a commercial that said, “This isn’t your father’s Oldsmobile.” A similar statement can be said for some new youth buildings being built today across America. And to that I say, “Thank God!”
For far too long churches have given the youth programs the ‘left overs.’ George Barna indicates that the typical church appropriates less than 3% for the youth in the budget while the youth make up approximately 11% of the membership. Churches have been saying to the youth, “You really don’t matter.” Is it any wonder that the youth are leaving the church in droves? Satan has certainly done his job of enticing them away. M.T.V., Hollywood and popular music captures their attention and grabs them. It is high dollar, loads of fun entertainment targeted directly towards them and in their face everywhere they turn. It’s a war for their hearts and minds and ultimately their soul.
Very few churches realize this and have done little to combat it. A few churches have attempted to do something…. Like build a gym. Ride by many of those churches today and those gyms sit empty 99% of the time. A good well intentioned idea, just not thought completely through.
But a few churches have gone on the offensive by providing youth programs designed to reach youth with more than just basketball. They are providing facilities that reach to the very heart of who youth are. Youth are extremely social beings. They like to congregate in small and large groups. This is how they feel accepted.
One such facility is Eastside Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia. This facility is open, bright, entertaining and youthful. The youth leadership of the church wanted to provide a place where kids could go for clean social activities, get help with homework, and find acceptance seven days a week. The building was designed to answer all of these and more.
First, the main hall is large and open. Two story windows allow natural light to fill the central hall where a coffee shop with an improv stage, game area, and lounge are located. The glass windows also give a sense of invitation by providing passersby a tease of what is inside.
A wrap around mezzanine provides area for one on one conversation areas while not removing the small group from the overall space. The openness also allows the kids to be observed at all times while not providing feeling of an over – bearing ‘big brother’ effect. Even the staff offices have windows that look out over the room, thus providing the security needed for the parents.
Classrooms are outfitted for traditional Sunday School, however, they can be used during the week for after school tutorial instruction. The building also includes study areas with internet access to allow students to do homework. Two lecture hall/assembly rooms are equipped with a theatrical lighting and sound package that would make many churches envious. These features allow those spaces to be more than just a gathering for the group, but a place where the kids can perform dramas or even bring in a Christian band for a concert.
While all of these features appeal to the youth’s
human and secular senses, the lay leadership mandated that everything be bathed
in prayer and to be the central focus. That is why the prayer chapel is front
and center in this building. It literally and figuratively is the cog for the
entire building. Each kid passes this room to and from the rest of the campus.
Except for the view window in the door it is a windowless room, save the
skylight that draws your attention heavenward. Al Arrington, the chairman of the Building committee quotes the building as saying, “I am natural, open…. Stay here a while and learn about me, feel warm and comfortable and loved, and , by the way, while you are here, learn about the naturalness of loving God and His Son Jesus.”
While the facilities themselves don’t guarantee results, they do provide a springboard for new and innovative programs; programs that give youth a sense of belonging and value, and isn’t that what the gospel is all about.
Now not all churches have the budget or financial strength to provide a facility such as Eastside. But look around your church campus. Where do you have the youth? Is it in that old building out back that no one else wanted that is literally about to fall down? What could your church do to “fix it up” so it is a place the youth, and church, could be proud? Or is there a better place in your building that could be renovated, even if it is a couple of classrooms?
If you would like to tour Eastside’s facility, please give us a call and we’d be happy to arrange it.
Good Design Can Help Build Strong Youth Programs
By Robert C. Foreman,
Architect, AIA, LEED AP
Jerry A. Fountain, Architect, AIA
Jerry A. Fountain, Architect, AIA
Years ago it was highly unusual for a church building to be designed with the youth in mind. George Barna, the pollster, says that the typical church spent less than 3% on youth ministry while youth average 11% of the membership. Churches seemed to be saying to the youth, "You really don't matter." According to Lifeway Research, 96% of those born between 1977 and 1994 are unchurched and the drop out rate for this age group is increasing. The world is enticing them away and church leaders have finally realized that they are engaged in a war for the hearts and minds and ultimately the souls of young people.
In response to this challenge, more and more forward thinking churches are targeting this age group to try to stem the tide of young people leaving the church. Churches are going on the offense with programs designed to reach young people with more than just a basketball gym. Buildings alone do not make a youth ministry. It takes a dedicated active youth ministry with a designated space and programs to meet the spiritual and social needs of this age group.
Well designed youth areas will incorporate low maintenance materials and easy to clean, damage resistant surfaces. The traditional finished ceiling can be omitted and the exposed structure and mechanical components can be painted. These "no frills" youth areas should not cost more and, in fact, often cost less than traditional construction.
A well designed youth building should avoid hidden nooks and corners, without obvious attempts to provide ways for adult leaders to keep an "eye" on the youth. If classrooms or other small assembly spaces are included, provision should be made to lock off access except when they are needed. Youth need conversation areas, with informal furnishings. An improv stage can be included in multi-purpose areas, allowing these areas to be used for assembly.
Recreation areas for youth in many churches include space for group sports like basketball and volleyball as well as table top games, billiards and even computer games. Some churches are including rock climbing walls and indoor or outdoor skateboard areas. Smaller churches that do not have the luxury of dedicated youth buildings need to plan regular events and activities for youth, either at the church or use available community recreation centers. Even churches on very tight budgets should at least have a special room designed around the needs of this age group.
A good example of a well thought out youth facility is our design for the Student Center at Eastside Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia. This addition to Eastside's Christian Life Center was designed to serve the youth of this 4,000 member suburban Atlanta church. It includes a large "commons area" with a lounge, game room and coffee shop. The coffee shop is furnished with booths made from recycled school bus seats. The room is featured with exposed structure / fabric air conditioning ducts, a ramp connecting two levels and accent walls painted bold colors. Assembly rooms, one for middle schoolers and one for high schoolers each have state of the art audio, video and lighting systems. For more about Eastside Baptist Church, visit www.FSFarchitecture.com.The Space Utilization Assessment
By Robert C. Foreman,
Architect, AIA, LEED AP
Does your church need a
space utilization check-up? Is
your church short of classroom space?
Are you “maxed out” in Sunday Bible Study and children’s classes? Sometimes church pastors and building
committees become convinced they need more education space and feel the only
solution is to begin a building expansion program. However, in many cases, we find these
churches have space available they did not know they had. It is better to make full use of all
available space before rushing into a building expansion. A Space Utilization Assessment, a type of
facility check up, is a valuable tool to help determine how best to maximize
the space you already have.
In
a growing church, lack of educational space, or even the appearance of lack of
space, may become a major hindrance to continued growth. A building expansion can take years to plan,
fund, and construct. If growth is to
continue during this time, a church will need to do everything possible to take
advantage of all available space. The
Space Utilization Assessment will point out ways to better use existing space
by reassigning classrooms based on class attendance patterns. It can also help identify other available
space that can be used for temporary classrooms.
Some
churches can do this type of space “check up” in house, using church staff and
volunteers. But many larger churches
will need professional assistance from an experienced architect or help from
their denomination. The following is a
brief outline of the seven basic steps needed to complete a classroom space
assessment:
- It is essential to have accurate floor
plans of the entire facility. The
plans should be “to scale,” meaning they can be accurately measured with
an architectural scale to determine room sizes. If you do not have (or cannot find) your
building floor plans, you will need to measure each room and prepare an
“as-built” floor plan. An architect
can field measure your building and provide accurate as-built drawings. Be
sure to include the fellowship hall and gymnasium.
- With accurate floor
plans and room dimensions, calculate the area of each useable classroom. Room square footage is a valuable tool for
determining how many people can be comfortably accommodated in each
space. Label each classroom on the
plan and show the room square footage.
For children’s classrooms, do not include toilets or the space
taken by cabinets or storage.
- Hopefully, your church has
kept class attendance records throughout the year. These valuable attendance records will
now come in handy. Determine the
average attendance and the highest attendance for each class for the past
year. These two numbers are
important.
- List each classroom by
age group on a spreadsheet showing class designation and description,
current average attendance, highest attendance, and the square footage of
the room in which the class meets. Include
a column labeled “Room Capacity” and a column labeled “Comfort Capacity.” Generally, “Comfort Capacity” is 75% to
80% of room capacity.
- The following are our recommendations for ideal maximum room capacity (high attendance) based on age group:
- Bed Babies through
kindergarten 30
square feet / child
- Grade school 25
square feet / child
- Middle, High School,
& College 20
square feet / person
- Adults 15
square feet / person
- Large seminar rooms for
youth and adults will have a somewhat better per square foot room capacity
than smaller rooms. For spaces over
400 square feet we recommend a room capacity of 15 square feet per person
for high school/college and 12 square feet per person for adults. The capacity of long narrow rooms and
“L” shaped rooms should be adjusted by deducting the unusable part of the
room from the room area. Do not use
“code capacity” numbers sometimes shown on plans for assembly and
educational occupancy. This is a
completely different number used by code officials to verify adequate exit
capacity for life safety and fire code compliance.
- Review each space to
compare actual attendance with the room’s capacity and comfort capacity. In a typical church most classrooms are being
utilized below comfort capacity, except perhaps a few Sundays each
year. Some churches have several
classes that have grown and are reaching 80% of capacity every Sunday and may
be at or above maximum capacity more than twice a year. These classes need your immediate
attention. Find a bigger room for
these classes or split them into smaller classes if the additional classroom
space is available. Likewise, some
classes that are well below room comfort capacity should be moved to
smaller rooms. It is not a matter
of creating new space as much as making better use of the space you have
so the most crowded classes have room to grow.
Classes
should never be allowed to “own” a classroom. Everyone should be willing to
make the changes necessary for the good of the church. However, most churches
try to keep certain age groups together in one section of the facility. If possible, preschool and children’s classrooms
should remain in close proximity to one another and not be scattered around the
building.
Example of
Space Utilization Spreadsheet
In
this example, Grade 5 is overcrowded.
Grade 5 could swap rooms with Adult A. However, relocating Grade 5 to Room 103 would
be even more efficient. But then another room with at least 225 square feet
will need to be found for Adult B. Perhaps
another children’s class that is meeting in a larger but not over crowded room could
swap with Grade 5, allowing them to remain in the same area.
An
architect experienced in church design or an expert from your denomination will
know how to conduct a space utilization assessment. The advantage to using an outside service includes
the fact that that their recommendations will be from a fresh and unbiased
viewpoint. Shifting classes around to classrooms
appropriately sized for actual attendance should provide a growing church more room
for growth and time to plan and build the needed expansion. Begin planning for expansion well before much
of your space reaches the 80% of capacity.
At that point, lack of space will begin to hinder further growth.
There
are other ways to find space for crowded classes. A growing church that is not
already using its gym or fellowship hall can purchase or build portable walls
to turn large open rooms into temporary classrooms. These wall panels can be configured many
different ways and moved out of the way for activities requiring the large open
room.
Portable
Partitions used in a Gym
A
church with adequate worship capacity and inadequate classroom capacity may
need to consider two teaching hours with the worship hour in between. A growing church, one with sufficient parking
but desperate for both worship and classroom space, should consider having two
worship services with two simultaneous teaching hours. Other creative ways to solve space shortages
include use of portable modular classrooms and having classes meet in member’s
homes. Many churches have adopted the
home cell group concept and avoided the expense of larger classroom
buildings. Shifting classes around or conducting
multiple events may seem traumatic to some church members. If the church is to
grow, the leadership must be sensitive and clearly explain the reason for the
changes. Everyone should be “on board”
for the good of the entire church.
Some
church facilities built prior to 1970 have many small classrooms, especially in
children’s departments. Current teaching philosophy and today’s culture require
larger classes and larger classrooms. It
may be time to remove walls between these small rooms to create larger, more
useful classrooms. Before proceeding,
have an experienced architect or engineer look at any such renovations for structural
integrity issues and conformance with the building codes. Even removing a few walls will require a
proper building permit.
If
a space utilization assessment reveals your church has an apparent shortage of
space, first seek professional or denominational help to identify creative solutions
to your space needs. Reassign classrooms
based on actual class size and explore other options such as two Bible Study
hours or home based small groups. Since
maximizing use of existing space is much less costly than building new space,
explore all possible alternatives before rushing into a building program. If you become certain of the need to build,
start planning far enough in advance so that growth is not hindered by lack of
space. Reallocation of classroom space and taking other creative measures will permit
continued growth while buying you time to properly plan and raise funds for the
needed expansion project. A space
utilization assessment and expert professional assistance will help you make more
efficient use of the space you already have.
Bob Foreman is senior
principal at Foreman Seeley Fountain Architecture, an Atlanta firm specializing
in the design of church and school facilities. Bob is a member of the American
Institute of Architects and is a LEED Accredited Professional.
Timeline for a Building Project
By Robert C. Foreman,
Architect, AIA, LEED AP
If you are not regularly involved with construction, you might not realize how much time it takes for a project to work its way through the process of site selection, design, permit review, pricing and construction. The following chart is a guideline which is intended to suggest common times required to get a typical new building completed.
The time required for some steps is essentially the same no matter the location. However, in metro areas, some permitting and code review can take much longer compared to smaller cities or rural areas. Total project time in metro areas can take many more months than outside the metro areas.
From the time you begin your first steps, a typical project can take two and a half to three years to complete. Construction time will depend on building size and complexity and the Contractor performing the work.
Don't wait until the last minute to start the process. Your Architect should help you come up with a reasonable schedule based on your situation. Every project is different. It would not be unusual for a project to take more time due to problems in site acquisition, zoning, site engineering, or weather during construction.
For more information on the detailed steps in a building project, see Steps in A Building Project.
If you are not regularly involved with construction, you might not realize how much time it takes for a project to work its way through the process of site selection, design, permit review, pricing and construction. The following chart is a guideline which is intended to suggest common times required to get a typical new building completed.
The time required for some steps is essentially the same no matter the location. However, in metro areas, some permitting and code review can take much longer compared to smaller cities or rural areas. Total project time in metro areas can take many more months than outside the metro areas.
From the time you begin your first steps, a typical project can take two and a half to three years to complete. Construction time will depend on building size and complexity and the Contractor performing the work.
Don't wait until the last minute to start the process. Your Architect should help you come up with a reasonable schedule based on your situation. Every project is different. It would not be unusual for a project to take more time due to problems in site acquisition, zoning, site engineering, or weather during construction.
For more information on the detailed steps in a building project, see Steps in A Building Project.
Sunday School Spaces - Is Your Sunday School Really Out of Space?
By Robert C. Foreman,
Architect, AIA, LEED AP
Are your Sunday School teachers telling you that their classrooms are "maxed out". Are you certain that you have a problem? There are guidelines for space utilization which are generally accepted as the "rules" for capacity for various age groups. "Capacity" is defined as the maximum number of people that will comfortably fill a meeting space so that there is little or no room left to add any more people. As you add more people above capacity, it becomes very difficult to achieve the objectives which you have for that space. There is a cultural factor to the capacity of space with some cultures feeling more comfortable with more people and some feeling less comfortable. However the biggest factor is age group, with the following guidelines for each age grouping:
Babies through 5 year olds - 25 to 35 square feet per child and 12 square feet for each adult worker.
First grade through fifth grade - 25 square feet per child and 12 square feet for each adult worker. Assembly rooms used for short periods of time can have around 12 to 15 square feet per child.
Middle School and High School Youth need about 15 square feet per person in smaller classroom groups with less space being needed for larger assembly groups (over 20 persons).
College age and most adults can do fine at 12 square feet per person. Anything less than 10 square feet per person will seem crowded.
Senior Adults (age 60 and above) often express dissatisfaction when spaces are filled at a ratio of 15 square feet per person or less. They want a little more room.
To determine if a classroom has reached capacity, measure each classroom, excluding built-in cabinets, shelves, etc. and calculate the area in square feet. Average the high attendance for each month during the past year and divide that number into the room area. For an additional verification, take the maximum attendance for any Sunday during the last year and divide that number into the room area. If the average high attendance of the year exceeds the room capacity (room area divided by rule of thumb area per person) by more than 15%, then you really are out of space in that room. Also, anytime a space reaches 80% of capacity, people will start to feel crowded and will feel that more space is needed. When you are regularly exceeding 80% of capacity in many of your Sunday School rooms, it is past time to start planning for more space.
In rapidly growing churches, when attendance starts to exceed 70% of capacity, planning for more space should already be well underway. By the time new space is ready, you may already exceed capacity in many departments. If you fail to begin planning soon enough, by the time you have reached capacity, your growth will have slowed to a stop.
Are your Sunday School teachers telling you that their classrooms are "maxed out". Are you certain that you have a problem? There are guidelines for space utilization which are generally accepted as the "rules" for capacity for various age groups. "Capacity" is defined as the maximum number of people that will comfortably fill a meeting space so that there is little or no room left to add any more people. As you add more people above capacity, it becomes very difficult to achieve the objectives which you have for that space. There is a cultural factor to the capacity of space with some cultures feeling more comfortable with more people and some feeling less comfortable. However the biggest factor is age group, with the following guidelines for each age grouping:
Babies through 5 year olds - 25 to 35 square feet per child and 12 square feet for each adult worker.
First grade through fifth grade - 25 square feet per child and 12 square feet for each adult worker. Assembly rooms used for short periods of time can have around 12 to 15 square feet per child.
Middle School and High School Youth need about 15 square feet per person in smaller classroom groups with less space being needed for larger assembly groups (over 20 persons).
College age and most adults can do fine at 12 square feet per person. Anything less than 10 square feet per person will seem crowded.
Senior Adults (age 60 and above) often express dissatisfaction when spaces are filled at a ratio of 15 square feet per person or less. They want a little more room.
To determine if a classroom has reached capacity, measure each classroom, excluding built-in cabinets, shelves, etc. and calculate the area in square feet. Average the high attendance for each month during the past year and divide that number into the room area. For an additional verification, take the maximum attendance for any Sunday during the last year and divide that number into the room area. If the average high attendance of the year exceeds the room capacity (room area divided by rule of thumb area per person) by more than 15%, then you really are out of space in that room. Also, anytime a space reaches 80% of capacity, people will start to feel crowded and will feel that more space is needed. When you are regularly exceeding 80% of capacity in many of your Sunday School rooms, it is past time to start planning for more space.
In rapidly growing churches, when attendance starts to exceed 70% of capacity, planning for more space should already be well underway. By the time new space is ready, you may already exceed capacity in many departments. If you fail to begin planning soon enough, by the time you have reached capacity, your growth will have slowed to a stop.
Steps in a Building Project - A Guideline through the Building Process for Churches
By Robert C. Foreman,
Architect, AIA, LEED AP
1. Identify property and building inadequacies.
a. List general inadequacies.
b. Review list of inadequacies with key program leaders.
2. Secure outside help.
a. Request help from denomination, association or diocese.
b. Obtain published guidebooks for help in organizing and planning.
3. Secure church action to appoint a Survey, Planning and Building Committee.
a. Report property and building inadequacies to the church.
b. Ask for approval to structure a Survey, Planning and Building Committee to begin
a study that is directed at the church taking actions to meet property and building
needs.
4. Organize and educate committee
a. Appoint building project steering committee (7 to 10 members).
b. Appoint three to five or more members on each subcommittee.
c. Educate committee on process using guidebooks or materials obtained from
denomination.
5. Explore community needs to discover church opportunities.
a. Survey community.
b. Determine specific needs of persons in the community.
c. Define church’s mission.
d. Determine number of persons who might be reached in each program.
e. Begin site selection process if property is not owned.
6. Select an Architect
a. Gather list of architects
b. Interview, review experience, call references.
c. Select Architect.
7. Develop a comprehensive program
a. Define and prepare a written statement of programs to be provided by the
church.
b. Ascertain number of people for which space will be provided in each church
program.
c. Architect to participate in program development.
8. Site selection
a. Evaluate suitability and location of existing property.
b. If moving or acquiring property for first unit, determine where church needs to be
located in the community.
c. Determine amount of property needed. Minimum 5 acre site. Allow 100 people
per usable acre.
d. Architect should participate in site selection and evaluation. Do not purchase the
property until it is certain that it will be adequate for church needs.
9. Topographic / Boundary Survey of Site
10. Architect authorized to prepare Master Site Plan.
11. Prepare financial plan
a. Review past and present financial performance.
b. Make initial contact with sources of help regarding a fund-raising campaign.
c. Project amount of money to be raised in an intensive fund-raising campaign.
d. Investigate sources for borrowing funds, and potential amounts available.
e. Secure tentative loan commitments.
f. Determine maximum funds which can be made available for a building project.
12. Complete the property purchase, if not already owned.
13. Architect or church to secure services of a civil engineer.
14. Architect authorized to prepare Schematic Building Plans.
15. Church to begin contractor selection.
16. Master Site Plan to be submitted to local planning and zoning, if necessary.
17. Report to church and secure church decision/begin fund raising
a. Report findings and recommendations to church.
i. Program needs for which space will be provided.
ii. Site Master Plan and Schematic Building Design.
iii. Estimated project cost.
iv. Means and source of financing project.
v. Growth and other results anticipated.
b. Secure church action on:
i. Type and amount of space to be constructed.
ii. Acquisition of any properties needed.
iii. Proceeding with final drawings.
iv. Financing plan for the project.
v. Begin fund raising.
vi. Approval of Contractor selection.
18. Architect and engineers to proceed with design drawings for the building
and site.
a. Authorize architect to prepare floor plans and cost estimates.
b. Present plans and cost estimates to church for approval.
c. Contractor to provide design and cost input.
19. Architect and Engineers to proceed with final detailed Construction
Documents
a. Architect and Engineers to incorporate church design input.
b. Contractor to provide design and cost input.
c. Report to church when plans are completed and approved by committee.
20. Submit plans to various local and state authorities for review and approval.
a. Local City / County Development Department and Building Department.
b. State Fire Marshal.
c. Architect to meet with local and state plan review personnel to coordinate plan
review and approval process and satisfy plan review comments.
21. Contractor to prepare final pricing or job is put out for bids.
22. Architect to obtain final approval of plans from local and state authorities.
23. Church to finalize financing arrangements.
24. Church to approve construction price - sign contract - provide notice to proceed to
general Contractor.
25. Contractor to obtain building permit and begin construction. This time is 6 to 12
months for most projects. Large projects may take 18 months or more.
26. Begin organizational enlargement and leadership training simultaneously with
beginning construction.
a. Enlist new workers for enlarged organization.
b. Inaugurate an aggressive and intensive training program for present and new
workers.
c. Design a "saturation" visitation program to be implemented immediately prior to
occupancy of the new building.
27. Church to order furniture and other equipment not included on General Contract
(sound system, pews, kitchen equipment, operable walls, etc.).
28. Church to anticipate completion date- schedule and plan for dedication service six
to ten weeks after occupancy.
29. Construction substantially complete. Begin to furnish and equip the building.
Heating / cooling system must be operational. Inspect furniture and test equipment.
30. Occupy and begin using facility only after all work is complete, building has been
declared complete by the architect and local authorities have granted "certificate of
occupancy."
31. One to two month "shakedown" period begins.
a. Defects are found and corrected.
b. Adjustments are made to air conditioning, electrical systems sound systems and
"bugs" worked out.
c. Final payment made to contractor
32. Dedication Service - should never be planned for the first Sunday of Occupancy.
Allow time for proper planning, last minute work and final adjustments.
33. Evaluation at the one year anniversary of completion to make a list of items that
need attention prior to expiration of the one year warranty period.
1. Identify property and building inadequacies.
a. List general inadequacies.
b. Review list of inadequacies with key program leaders.
2. Secure outside help.
a. Request help from denomination, association or diocese.
b. Obtain published guidebooks for help in organizing and planning.
3. Secure church action to appoint a Survey, Planning and Building Committee.
a. Report property and building inadequacies to the church.
b. Ask for approval to structure a Survey, Planning and Building Committee to begin
a study that is directed at the church taking actions to meet property and building
needs.
4. Organize and educate committee
a. Appoint building project steering committee (7 to 10 members).
b. Appoint three to five or more members on each subcommittee.
c. Educate committee on process using guidebooks or materials obtained from
denomination.
5. Explore community needs to discover church opportunities.
a. Survey community.
b. Determine specific needs of persons in the community.
c. Define church’s mission.
d. Determine number of persons who might be reached in each program.
e. Begin site selection process if property is not owned.
6. Select an Architect
a. Gather list of architects
b. Interview, review experience, call references.
c. Select Architect.
7. Develop a comprehensive program
a. Define and prepare a written statement of programs to be provided by the
church.
b. Ascertain number of people for which space will be provided in each church
program.
c. Architect to participate in program development.
8. Site selection
a. Evaluate suitability and location of existing property.
b. If moving or acquiring property for first unit, determine where church needs to be
located in the community.
c. Determine amount of property needed. Minimum 5 acre site. Allow 100 people
per usable acre.
d. Architect should participate in site selection and evaluation. Do not purchase the
property until it is certain that it will be adequate for church needs.
9. Topographic / Boundary Survey of Site
10. Architect authorized to prepare Master Site Plan.
11. Prepare financial plan
a. Review past and present financial performance.
b. Make initial contact with sources of help regarding a fund-raising campaign.
c. Project amount of money to be raised in an intensive fund-raising campaign.
d. Investigate sources for borrowing funds, and potential amounts available.
e. Secure tentative loan commitments.
f. Determine maximum funds which can be made available for a building project.
12. Complete the property purchase, if not already owned.
13. Architect or church to secure services of a civil engineer.
14. Architect authorized to prepare Schematic Building Plans.
15. Church to begin contractor selection.
16. Master Site Plan to be submitted to local planning and zoning, if necessary.
17. Report to church and secure church decision/begin fund raising
a. Report findings and recommendations to church.
i. Program needs for which space will be provided.
ii. Site Master Plan and Schematic Building Design.
iii. Estimated project cost.
iv. Means and source of financing project.
v. Growth and other results anticipated.
b. Secure church action on:
i. Type and amount of space to be constructed.
ii. Acquisition of any properties needed.
iii. Proceeding with final drawings.
iv. Financing plan for the project.
v. Begin fund raising.
vi. Approval of Contractor selection.
18. Architect and engineers to proceed with design drawings for the building
and site.
a. Authorize architect to prepare floor plans and cost estimates.
b. Present plans and cost estimates to church for approval.
c. Contractor to provide design and cost input.
19. Architect and Engineers to proceed with final detailed Construction
Documents
a. Architect and Engineers to incorporate church design input.
b. Contractor to provide design and cost input.
c. Report to church when plans are completed and approved by committee.
20. Submit plans to various local and state authorities for review and approval.
a. Local City / County Development Department and Building Department.
b. State Fire Marshal.
c. Architect to meet with local and state plan review personnel to coordinate plan
review and approval process and satisfy plan review comments.
21. Contractor to prepare final pricing or job is put out for bids.
22. Architect to obtain final approval of plans from local and state authorities.
23. Church to finalize financing arrangements.
24. Church to approve construction price - sign contract - provide notice to proceed to
general Contractor.
25. Contractor to obtain building permit and begin construction. This time is 6 to 12
months for most projects. Large projects may take 18 months or more.
26. Begin organizational enlargement and leadership training simultaneously with
beginning construction.
a. Enlist new workers for enlarged organization.
b. Inaugurate an aggressive and intensive training program for present and new
workers.
c. Design a "saturation" visitation program to be implemented immediately prior to
occupancy of the new building.
27. Church to order furniture and other equipment not included on General Contract
(sound system, pews, kitchen equipment, operable walls, etc.).
28. Church to anticipate completion date- schedule and plan for dedication service six
to ten weeks after occupancy.
29. Construction substantially complete. Begin to furnish and equip the building.
Heating / cooling system must be operational. Inspect furniture and test equipment.
30. Occupy and begin using facility only after all work is complete, building has been
declared complete by the architect and local authorities have granted "certificate of
occupancy."
31. One to two month "shakedown" period begins.
a. Defects are found and corrected.
b. Adjustments are made to air conditioning, electrical systems sound systems and
"bugs" worked out.
c. Final payment made to contractor
32. Dedication Service - should never be planned for the first Sunday of Occupancy.
Allow time for proper planning, last minute work and final adjustments.
33. Evaluation at the one year anniversary of completion to make a list of items that
need attention prior to expiration of the one year warranty period.
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