Building With Excellence

With each new year, I enjoy thinking back on past building projects and experiences which make up

my "schooling" in the ministry of church building. In the following sections I have identified my "Top 10

list" on this subject. I trust that these points will help you as you embark on your future building program.

 

No. 1 - Begin With a Vision

First and foremost, you must have a vision for your church. I think many of us naturally are visionary

people. It is our nature. However, sometimes we need to be reminded to actively contemplate and

pursue our vision. Also, think big. Don't underestimate the extent of your church's potential for ministry

in your community. Most churches remain the same size for years and years because they have

not acted on their vision, or properly communicated it to the congregation. They lose people as

fast as they gain them. Motivated people will generally not remain in an unmotivated church. People in

the congregation want to "know where the church is going." They want to know that there is a plan of

action. You would be amazed at how easy it is to get people involved and excited about your church

when they understand the church's purpose and direction.

I might add here that the Lord's wisdom and leading is needed as you outline and develop your vision.

I recall the time I received a call from a pastor in a medium-sized city who wanted to build a 10,000-seat

sanctuary. When I asked him how many people currently attended his church, he informed me that

their present attendance was 250 people. Well, lack of vision was not his problem, rather, lack of

wisdom. For example, if your church is in a community of 300 people, it is probably safe to say that

the Lord would not call you to build a 2,500-seat sanctuary. However, the importance of having and

communicating your vision remains the same. The vision that the Lord gives to you for your church

will not always be directly related to the number of people that you desire to have attend your church.

For those of us who live in larger communities, we have no excuse. We must think big and we must

not feel guilty about thinking in numbers. We have a big God and He thinks big. Souls are important to

Him, and the number of souls is important to Him. Too big a price was paid for us to think small.

 

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