Plan
"Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." (Prov. 15:22)
Once you have determined God's vision for your church's ministry, it can be tempting to jump right into building design. However, adequate time spent planning can make the difference between a building that facilitates ministry... and one that frustrates it.
The architects and church planners at Church Building Consultants can help you develop a Long Range Facilities Master Plan.
What is a Master Plan?
A Master Plan helps to:
- Prioritize ministry needs
- Coordinate facilities plans with ministry plans
- Maximize long range use of site
- Answer fundamental issues concerning space reuse, renovation, or moving.
- Determine financial feasibility by phases
- Provides plans for zoning presentations
- Provides plans for fundraising & vision casting
- Builds congregational unity
- Secure financing
Why do a Master Plan?
The process serves several goals:
- It involves the active pariticipation from the church members: part of providing for the church is listening to the church.
- Because some have participated in the response, they will feel ownership in the Master Plan, and they are likely to support the program financially, in service, and in prayer.
- The study forces the church leadership to prioritize ministry needs.
- It "fleshes out" a definition of the church's mission, purpose, and ministry plan.
- It includes all the needs, does not ignore any ideas, but does not give a commitment to fund all the needs.
- It prompts some latent needs that may be moved higher on the priority list.
- The study may prompt the analysis of the effectiveness and the potential growth potential of some ministries.
- It may help the whole Church to understand the ministry priorities of the leadership. The cost of the building component needed to meet a ministry program may prompt the leadership to defer part of the building. This is a kind of cost-to-benefit analysis.
Regardless of where you are in the process, CBC can help answer your questions. Some Common Questions asked during planning include:
- What can we afford?
- How much should we build?
- What are the design constraints?
- What will our building look like?
- What is the floor plan?
- Should we build or renovate?
- What kind of site should we buy?
- What is the best funding path?
- How long will it take?
- How much will it cost?
What is Included in a Master Plan?
- Facilities Needs Feasibility Study
 The process of this study is an organized analysis of all the information that impacts your building plans and allows you to understand the ramifications of each choice that you need to make. The study includes:
- an overview of the church history and future plans
- attendance summary & projection
- present and future space uses
- space needs analysis
- site building code review
- parking analysis
- utility requirements
- prioritized needs analysis
- accessibility requirements
- overview of church finances and funding sources
- project budgets by phase
- demographic study of surrounding community
- project schedule
- consultant's recommendations
- Long Range Site Plans
These help you plan for the future use of your site. Understanding your needs in 10 years, will help you to make better decisions today. All the future phases are part of a cohesive plan to help grow your ministry.  Schematic Floor Plans & Elevations of Phase I
Floor plans will allow you to see how the space will appear and will help you to communicate the planned changes to your congregation, the zoning board and others. It includes existing space use and re-use studies. And plans for the new additon or new building.
- Color Renderings and Computer Simulations
 Color renderings will help your congregation to begin to envision the finished project. In addition to practical help with the zoning project, these renderings will build excitement and help you with your stewardship campaign. In addition, you might consider having CBC create a computerized or video "walk through" of your new building that will allow your congregation to virtually move through the new space and see both the inside and outside.
- All Materials Necessary for Zoning
Your community government has an interest in what is being built in its community. The planning departments, road and utility engineers, and zoning commissions frequently have to review and approve your site plans before you can apply for a building permit. The results of our planning will provide the documents and presentation for zoning approvals.
Let us help you achieve God's vision for your ministry!
|
