I heard a presentation the other day about building new church buildings. Sometimes it is practical to add an addition to the existing structure, but many times new construction is the logical answer. The speaker went on to point out that many church building committees make damaging assumptions in relation to the type of structure to be built. Even experienced contractors sometimes fail to take these observations into account. If they can’t see the issue, how can the rest of us hope to make the right decisions about how best to proceed in determining what type of building might be most affordable?

The church used as an example wanted to build a new building to tie to their existing structures. The committee believed that a metal structure would be the most economical and began to interview architects with that in mind. No one was too happy about it but they seemed resigned to the “big metal barn.” At a rather late point in the process, one of the architects being considered pointed out that building costs vary from market to market. After some investigation, the committee found that they could build a masonry structure for slightly less money than the metal building.

I thought it was interesting and I decided to pass this along to our clients and prospective clients. Check every type of building before making that important and costly decision. Happy Building!

John Young, President
Bountiful Harvest Consulting
513-706-8410

Many churches are beginning to move ahead with plans that had been laid aside due to a lackluster economy. The inability to see the upturn coming kept most of us from feeling the optimism needed to move ahead with plans for our church to expand services in one arena or another.

While this upturn is heartening, there unfortunately seems to be just as many churches that are suffering from an inability to pay their mortgages. Perhaps these churches assumed large debt at an unfortunate time – near the beginning of the deep recession of 2008 through 2010. One example would be Dr. Robert H. Schuller's Crystal Cathedral in California which filed for bankruptcy in late 2010.

Is your church in Category One - ready to build, add on, expand missions and outreach, or enlarge staff? Or is your church in Category Two - wondering how to continue paying the monthly expenses and mortgage?

It really does not matter much whether your church fits in Category One or Category Two – either way you likely will be finding your congregation embarking on a Capital Stewardship Campaign.

Category One churches are moving ahead with building construction, creating new mission field opportunities, and/or increasing staffing. These are inspiring outcomes and they make a good case for families or individuals to give vigorously.

But, Category Two churches need not despair! This same type of campaign is also used to eliminate debt. In fact, a debt elimination campaign if often coupled with a new, small improvement to the church or its mission opportunities at the same time.

I see every church foreclosure as a missed opportunity for a financial turnaround. If you find your church in the same situation as the Crystal Cathedral, you might consider first a Capital Campaign for debt elimination or reduction.

For further information, don't hesitate to give me a call.

John Young
President
Bountiful Harvest Consulting
513-706-8410