Being a church builder is a challenging, interesting and rewarding work. Today's churches have experienced a paradigm shift into a new century and are building new outreach ministries that touch the lives of a broad scope in the community.

As needs change and lives have become more and more busy and mobile, many churches endeavor to fill voids that have developed over time. The little-frame church house no longer fills the need of the congregation. As a builder of churches, we want to see the church continue as a living organism that can expand to meet the needs of a growing ministry.

Your builder you will want to get some information to guide them in helping design the proper facility. It is good to understand the reason for a new building. There may be location problems, or the church may have reached space saturation. When a church is at 80 to 85 percent capacity, usually the various ministries have cramped quarters. With healthy growth, the need for space increases. People move in and out of neighborhoods over time. The church building itself may have become obsolete, making it difficult to draw in new members.

Get someone that understands what you are doing, and you will end up with a much better building. Less space is wasted and more of the things the church needs will be included if the builder is familiar with what actually goes on in the ministry.

So many details go into a project that it can be overwhelming to a pastor on his first plunge into new space. Someone has to make a decision or at least okay one about colors, floor covering, hardware, steeple size and shape, baptistery configuration and color, crown molding, base molding, fixtures, and the list goes on.

There are some longstanding general rules for gross building area, which include vestibule and other support areas, that can help in planning building size.

In the worship space:

* Up to 300 capacity; 17 square feet per person

* 500 capacity; 15 square feet per person

* 1,000 capacity; 12 square feet per person

* Education space; 30 - 40 square feet per person

Sports programs, after school programs, elderly ministry and so on all will dictate specific needs for space and the configuration of the building. Building in phases may be the best way to go. Work to set up a flexible and expandable growth plan. This will result in a more efficient and ultimately less costly campus.

Following are a few of the usual questions needing an answer for both the builder and the church building committee. It could be considered a view of the church.

1. How many people does the sanctuary need to seat?
2. What is our ideal floor space?
3. How many classrooms and offices do we need?
4. Are there specific colors for this church?
5. What is the basic vision and mission of this church?
6. What is the budget?
7. What is the growth prospective?
8. What is the timeframe?
9. Does the church have a building fund?
10. Does the church have a lending organization to work with?
11. Is the church within county limits or city limits?

There are a lot of areas in which the builder can encourage the church. The more both sides of the project work in a team effort the better the final product will be.

It is a most gratifying feeling to be invited back to a church after 15 years for a special service as they burn the mortgage. Building churches is a good work for everyone involved.

Leslie Jordan is the owner of Jim Jordan Building Churches, www.jimjordanbuildingchurches.com