| Certain questions are commonly raised when a parish considers a building project. Until the worries behind these questions are put to rest the project may never progress. If adequate answers are not given, the worst case scenarios are often assumed. Roadblocks emerge, side issues grow, and the plans can easily be derailed. What are the routine questions? How can you provide answers so that there is clarity, conflict is reduced, and the congregation can stand behind the decisions with a common goal?
Frequently Asked Questions Are:
"WHO IS GOING TO MAKE THE DECISIONS
ABOUT THE BUILDING PROJECT?
(AND, HOW WILL I HAVE INPUT?)"
Typical Assumptions That Don’t Help:
• The Rector has decided (we all know this is the Rector’s memorial).
• The prominent members will get what they want.
• A small powerful group will push it through.
No matter how badly needed, or how sound the plans, if the congregation is not involved in the decision making process, resistance, lack of support, and personal attacks are likely to result.
A Better Response:
• "We will follow a clear, open process to study our needs and the options. Frequent interim report will be made to the Vestry and congregation about what we have learned and the conclusions which are emerging. There will be ample opportunity for your feedback. Decisions will not be made all at one time. They will be made as we go through the process, and you will know about it, step-by-step."
While the Vestry makes the final decision, we can create greater consensus by involving a maximum number of members in subcommittees and through interim reports. Provide opportunity for minority opinions, and keep notes on feedback. This will give confidence to the leadership in decision making.
"HOW MUCH IS IT GOING TO COST?"
Typical Responses That Don’t Help:
• "First we are going to dream about what we need; we don’t want to be limited by money."
• "If we talked about money everyone would tell us we can’t do it."
• "We decided not to have a budget because we are afraid it would depress or scare people."
What really scares people is NOT having a budget. Don’t ask "What will it cost?" but, "How much can we afford?" If not told otherwise, the congregation probably imagines the project will be beyond their means.
Some people avoid setting a budget because they fear it gives permission to spend the full amount. In reality, if a firm ceiling is not known, we will likely design plans for a building which will cost twice our limit.
We would never consider shopping for a car without having a price range in mind. When purchasing a home we surely determined first what we could afford. It is unwise to approach a church building project any differently.
A Better Answer:
• "First we will determine what we can afford. A committee will conduct a financial feasibility study. From that we will set a ballpark range, with a definite budget ceiling. It will be explained to us how that figure was reached, and we will discuss the funding options."
Once a budget ceiling is set the leadership and congregation can commit to it, and the architect can be directed to design within it. It can be revised if new information evolves, but the congregation knows it will be approached about changes first. Knowing what we can afford helps us shop around, challenge creativity, and get the most for our money. We are better able to set priorities and make choices.
Setting the budget range is based on some variables:
• Debt Service: How much debt can we handle? The choice should be shaped by the long range health of the congregation and surrounding community. What amount of the annual budget can be allocated to debt service? For example, a "new start" congregation can redirect its rental payments to debt service.
• Cash on Hand: Do you already have capital available to put into this project?
• Capital Campaign: What is the giving potential over a three to five year period? Are members already giving sacrificially or could they significantly increase their pledge without much trouble? Would this congregation support a sequential two-phased campaign?
"WHAT WILL THE BUILDING LOOK LIKE?"
Typical Responses That Don’t Help:
• 30% want Gothic, 60% want New England steeple, and 10% want low cost pre-fab.
• I don’t care what it looks like, as long as it...(choose according to the role the person holds):
-"has the biggest sacristy in the church";
-"can accommodate a full 100 rank pipe organ";
-"has a classroom for each of the 12 grades
(even though we only have 25 kids)";
-"has a commercial kitchen (even though we only
have one communal supper a year)".
A Better Answer:
• "Rather than focus on what the building will look like, we will focus on what our ministries look like. We will describe to an architect the ministries the building should support. We will seek flexible space so the rooms can be multi-use, allowing the most use out of the least square feet. It will be designed to change in the future, as our needs change. We will work from our area of expertise by describing our worship style and ministry priorities and let the architect work from hers."
"SHOULD WE BE BUILDING NOW,
WHEN THERE IS SO MUCH
HUMAN SUFFERING OUT THERE?"
Typical Responses That Don’t Help:
• We have a lovely historic building, it’s our duty to preserve it (even if we don’t do anything else).
• It’s God’s house (mine) and nothing is too good for Him (me).
There is little biblical evidence that God is as interested in our buildings as in PEOPLE. Church buildings are best tools of ministry, not the ministry. Historic buildings which have become burdensome, empty shells are not signs of reverence.
A Better Answer:
• "Buildings should support us in doing our ministry. We are making an investment in one of the tools which help us serve God’s people. If it isn’t what we need now and for the future; if it is an antique tool for yesterday’s needs, designed for a ministry long outdated--then no matter how beautiful, it will not greatly honor God."
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