GettingReady
With you, we seek God’s lead in advancing your church’s mission and ministries.
We dare to think of a building as more than bricks and mortar — as an integral part of delivering ministry to the community, both inside and outside the building.
No church is exactly like any other church. Our goal is to make sure that all critical, yet basic, steps in the building planning process are not overlooked. A few missed steps can mean spending money on plans for a building that will not meet your future needs — or may not be affordable.
For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.
A blueprint for success
Step 01
Seek God’s leading in projecting your mission and ministries. Clear goals and plans will give you a clearer understanding of the kind of space and budget your ministry will need.
Step 02
Discover who you are and the nature of your community. What are your membership and attendance trends? Who may be looking to you for hope? Gathering data on population, income, and community needs helps your church see the future more clearly.
Step 03
Determine your resources. A realistic budget — balancing program, staffing, mission and capital expenses — is essential if your church is to avoid expensive redesigning because the projected cost was beyond its capacity.
Step 04
Seek assistance from design professionals. An architect does more than draw plans. A competent architect translates a description of projected ministries into a design for the space they need. Interview several before choosing.
Step 05
Make building contracts with a reputable, bondable contractor. The contractor must be bonded to complete the project as specified. Have your church attorney review any building contract before it is signed.
Comprehensive Building Services
CBS is an intense, often multiple-year program in which your church works closely with ABEC to bring its ministry dream into focus and fruition. We help you identify congregational and community needs, determine ministry goals, select your architect and other professionals, and develop accurate budgets.
Skill Labs
A Skill Lab is an intervention strategy for the increasingly complicated building projects churches take on today. Skill Labs help congregations understand how to develop their facilities, providing a forum for identifying program and facility needs and the elements of a good planning process.
What CBS looked like at Siloam Baptist Church
Norristown, Pennsylvania — a major renovation adding classrooms, meeting space, work spaces, and an elevator.
- Helped the church set up a timetable and organize their building committee.
- Held a workshop on successfully completing a capital campaign.
- Provided referrals to professional fundraising consultants.
- Established the church's ability to meet the loan criteria and repayment schedule.
- Met to discuss our observations and recommendations.
- Processed the loan application and provided an ABEC Secured Loan at an affordable rate.
- Celebrated with the congregation at the dedication of the renovated home.
This conversation should be arranged as early as possible.
Our services range from several hours of consulting to a long-term process in which we connect with you from the initial vision through dedication of the project.