Facility Planning for the New Church

Key Questions to be Answered What are the facility options for the new Church? What are the facility options for the new Church? When is the right time to purchase and/or build? When is the right time to purchase and/or build? What tools and resources are available? What tools and resources are available?

6 Common Beliefs Regarding Facilities 1. An attractive facility will attract people to attend. 1. An attractive facility will attract people to attend. 2. A nice facility will be a motivation for people to invite others. 2. A nice facility will be a motivation for people to invite others. 3. A nice facility will lead the people to give more generously. 3. A nice facility will lead the people to give more generously.

6 Common Beliefs Regarding Facilities (continued) 4. The facility will inspire the people to worship. 4. The facility will inspire the people to worship. 5. If we own our facilities, it will indicate to the local community that we are permanent. 5. If we own our facilities, it will indicate to the local community that we are permanent. 6. People will take more pride in owning the facility. 6. People will take more pride in owning the facility.

Interim Facilities 1. Homes 1. Homes 2. Motels/Hotels 2. Motels/Hotels 3. Club Rooms 3. Club Rooms 4. Community Buildings or Community Centers 4. Community Buildings or Community Centers 5. Public Schools 5. Public Schools 6. Christian Schools 6. Christian Schools 7. Lodges 7. Lodges 8. Theatres 8. Theatres

Interim Facilities (cont) 9. Storefronts 9. Storefronts 10. Church Buildings 10. Church Buildings 11. Funeral Homes 11. Funeral Homes 12. Banks 12. Banks 13. Strip Shopping Centers 13. Strip Shopping Centers 14. Garages 14. Garages 15. Firehouse 15. Firehouse

Lease Considerations for the Interim Facility 1. Have a clear understanding of what you will and will not be responsible for in the maintenance of the facility. 1. Have a clear understanding of what you will and will not be responsible for in the maintenance of the facility. 2. Have a very clear understanding of the length of the lease and all terms (including utilities, deposits, ground care, etc.) Make sure there is no doubt as to who is responsible for what. 2. Have a very clear understanding of the length of the lease and all terms (including utilities, deposits, ground care, etc.) Make sure there is no doubt as to who is responsible for what.

Lease Considerations for the Interim Facility (cont) 3. Visit the city and check out the zoning restrictions, parking codes, fire codes, signage codes, occupancy codes, etc. Check for special covenants, EPA problems, and the historical register. 3. Visit the city and check out the zoning restrictions, parking codes, fire codes, signage codes, occupancy codes, etc. Check for special covenants, EPA problems, and the historical register. 4. Have renters and liability insurance, with a reliable insurance company, 4. Have renters and liability insurance, with a reliable insurance company,

When is the right time to purchase and/or build? 1. In God’s time (not ours). 1. In God’s time (not ours). God created the Heavens and the earth. He created all the resources and they are at His command. God created the Heavens and the earth. He created all the resources and they are at His command. God wants to use you and your church to reach the people in your unique ministry location/setting. God wants to use you and your church to reach the people in your unique ministry location/setting.

When is the right time to purchase and/or build? 2. Stay Focused on Ministry. 2. Stay Focused on Ministry. What is your churches ministry plan? What is your churches ministry plan? 3. Proper financial planning. 3. Proper financial planning. Establish a Building Fund. Establish a Building Fund. Establish an Annual Budget. Establish an Annual Budget. Project a 5 year of Budget. Project a 5 year of Budget. Do not hire an architect until the financial capacity of the church has been established. Do not hire an architect until the financial capacity of the church has been established.

When is the right time to purchase and/or build? 4. The church has at least 25% cash of the total project costs. 4. The church has at least 25% cash of the total project costs.AND 5. The church has sufficient General Fund Income to support the required debt service. 5. The church has sufficient General Fund Income to support the required debt service. 6. Capital Campaign (optional) 6. Capital Campaign (optional)

Maintaining a Financial Balance

Project Costs Develop a budget before looking at property and/or building. Develop a budget before looking at property and/or building. Borrowing Capacity Borrowing Capacity Cash on Hand Cash on Hand Capital Fund Raising Capital Fund Raising Building Fund Building Fund

Choosing a Site/Purchasing a Building 1. What and Who is in your mission field? 1. What and Who is in your mission field? 2. Obtain a demographic study from your State Convention or NAMB to assist in analyzing. This study will assist you in determining the proper area. 2. Obtain a demographic study from your State Convention or NAMB to assist in analyzing. This study will assist you in determining the proper area.

Choosing a Site/Purchasing a Building 3. Choosing a site. Three things to look for in choosing a site: 3. Choosing a site. Three things to look for in choosing a site: A. Visibility (Can it be easily seen?) A. Visibility (Can it be easily seen?) B. Accessibility (Is it easily accessible?) B. Accessibility (Is it easily accessible?) C. Acceptability (Is it acceptable?) C. Acceptability (Is it acceptable?)

Choosing a Site/Purchasing a Building Rules of Thumb: Rules of Thumb: 1 acres of land per in attendance. 1 acres of land per in attendance. 1 parking space for every people in attendance (dual activities/services may require more parking) 1 parking space for every people in attendance (dual activities/services may require more parking) Worship Center. Worship Center square foot per person

Choosing a Site/Purchasing a Building Rules of Thumb: Rules of Thumb: Education Space: Education Space: Preschoolers = 35 square feet per child Preschoolers = 35 square feet per child Grades 1-6 = 25 square feet per child Grades 1-6 = 25 square feet per child Youth and Adults = square feet Youth and Adults = square feet Hallways in heavy trafficked areas and children areas should be at least 8-10 feet wide Foyer/Lobby should be 15%-25% of Worship Center area.

Choosing a Site/Purchasing a Building Other Considerations: Other Considerations: Seek property that has good ingress and egress. Seek property that has good ingress and egress. Is the neighborhood in transition or stable? How will this affect the church in 5 years? 10 years? Is the neighborhood in transition or stable? How will this affect the church in 5 years? 10 years? Who are your neighbors or potential neighbors? Are they compatible to your ministry? Who are your neighbors or potential neighbors? Are they compatible to your ministry? Are there other significant Evangelical churches in the area? Are there other significant Evangelical churches in the area?

Tools Available Church Finance Ministry Church Finance Ministry Debt/Facility Planner Debt/Facility Planner Construction Resource Guide Construction Resource Guide Consulting Services Consulting Services

Resources Available Church Finance Ministry Church Finance Ministry Your State Convention Your State Convention Your local Association Your local Association LifeWay Architecture LifeWay Architecture Other Other

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