A major building project for a church will generally cause both excitement and anxiety to develop within the congregation. As the building committee is formed, many questions will begin to emerge. What will the project ultimately cost? Can we afford it? Who will help us implement what we want to do? How long will it take? 

Be assured that these are questions and concerns that have been dealt with successfully by many churches. The following eight keys to a successful building program have been followed by many churches. These ideas have provided them with insights that have made it easier to produce a highly successful project.

1. Select Quality Leadership
A successful building project can and should be a special time in the life of the church. Even though a church building project is often intended to address a specific need, it can be much more edifying to the church. It can serve as a catalyst to positive growth and renewed spiritual opportunities. Strong leadership is essential in order for the building program to achieve these additional benefits beyond just the completion of a new facility.                                                                                                                                      Quality leadership is not necessarily made up of lay members who have some knowledge of the construction industry or pastors who have previously been involved in building campaigns. Good leaders have the ability to see the overall picture and can provide guidance to others in key positions during the process. They are open to the ideas and opinions of others.

Strong leaders can develop a sense of commitment from the church for the overall effort of the campaign. It is also important for the team chairman to place key individuals in leadership positions of the most important teams, such as interiors, stewardship, congregational relations and finance.

2. Let Your Ministries Drive the Project
Each church has its own personality that is largely shaped by its most important ministries. By identifying those existing ministries that require new facilities or new ministries that the church wants to undertake, physical needs and program needs for the project can be easily developed. Church members will normally have a passion for a particular ministry. Let that passion manifest itself in an active involvement in the building program. 

3. Be Inclusive
Include as many people as you can in the process. The church is not just a group of individuals. It is a dynamic body--a family--and it should be treated as such. Much like all opinions and feelings matter in a group environment, so it is in a church. Listen to and appreciate everyone's perspective, so that when critical choices have to be made, you are sure that everyone had an opportunity to express their ideas. Make it clear from the beginning, however, that compromises will have to be made.

Although the building project is important, the "building up" of the congregation during the project is more important. The human involvement and satisfaction is essential. This is an opportunity for the entire church to feel as if they have played a part. Allow them to serve so they can share the joy of a worthwhile project. Remember, all members of the congregation will be working and worshipping in the new facility for many years to come. 

4. Carefully Select Professionals to Work with the Church
There are many professionals that will likely be involved in the project--real estate agents, architects, a financial consultant, an audiovisual consultant and a general contractor. These are just a few of the professionals that might help you through the process. Select individuals and firms that have experience in working with churches on projects similar to yours. Your church can benefit from what they have learned on previous projects.

Undertaking a church project is a unique experience and should be treated as such. Selecting professionals with limited or no experience with churches can turn a positive experience into a negative one. The inexperienced professionals will essentially be "in training" for their next church project through their work on your project. Also, make sure that the particular individuals who will be working directly on your project have experience on similar projects. It's important for the company to have experience, but it's just as important that the few people with whom you will work closely are experienced. Choosing professionals carefully can be the difference between a good project and a great one.

5. Stay Positive
Major building projects are not easy. They can easily get bogged down with negative issues such as "Are we building too much?" "Is this the right design for our church?" and "Are we borrowing too much money?" These issues are clearly important to the church, but in cases where they dominate the effort, the potential for a successful program is diminished. All problems can be overcome if you take a Christian approach.

The building project involves hundreds of individuals. Many individuals in the church want to be involved in stewardship, planning, programming, financing and interiors. Allow these people to be involved in dreaming and making suggestions. At times, there may be suggestions that aren't consistent with the goal of this phase of the church's growth. Instead of being negative, thank the person for their suggestion and explain that the building team will take it under consideration. You may further explain that the suggestion will be factored into the phasing of longer-term projects.

6. Plan Ahead
Most building projects have a specific purpose, a specific ministry need that has to be addressed in order for the church to continue to grow. In addition to this immediate need, it is important to always look to subsequent phases. The growth of the church's campus should not occur as a result of pure happenstance; planning ahead is essential. As the first phase is being planned, think about the impact of growth on the other facilities. What should the church be considering for the second phase and the third phase?

Consider this real-life experience: At the beginning of a project, involved church members were consulted several times. Each was asked to identify and talk specifically about the future. During the discussions, it came to light that each group had identified the same physical location for their project. Obviously, this would not work. The approach here is to think beyond the immediate. Be prepared for the doors that will open and close during the process.

7. Pour on the Praise
This is an absolute necessity. Small successes breed large successes. Help your brothers and sisters realize the importance of sacrifice and have pride in the achievement that has been made. A successful building project leads to church growth and to other successful projects. Use strong public relations to educate the congregation on what has been achieved within the church family. 

8. Utilize Solid Financial Planning
A financial model is needed to identify the church's potential. Professionals such as a financial consultant, architect or contractor will be able to assist the church in the development of a project budget. Even though there are rules of thumb regarding the size of projects a church can afford, enlisting the help of a financial expert can be invaluable.

Use the project's financial goals as a way to challenge the church. Do your homework and be totally honest with your church family. They will take pride in being part of this successful effort. A solid stewardship commitment will cause individuals to become more involved in other aspects of church life. When you rejoice, rejoice together.

As with many aspects of life, a building program provides many opportunities and different approaches for accomplishing tasks. Hopefully, the eight keys identified above will bring a church together and give them the opportunity for great success. The primary goal of a building project should be to promote church ministries. Let your next building program be a wonderful time in the life of the church. Good luck and God bless.

Rick Batson is principal and CEO of TurnerBatson Architects, www.turnerbatson.com.