Maintain focus while building

Often the most serious church conflicts occur over building programs. And Gary Nicholson, consultant for church architecture services of LifeWay Church Resources, has some advice for avoiding — or at least minimizing — conflicts.

In a church building conference hosted by the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM), Nicholson urged those in attendance not to get so involved in the building process that they forget why they are building.

“Don’t lose sight of the ultimate goal, which is reaching people for Christ,” Nicholson said. When church members forget why they are building, “squabbles and ‘turf­ism’ take place,” he said.

Nicholson also had advice for those who want to cut corners.

“Someone is going to stand up in a business meeting and say, ‘Can’t we do this any cheaper?’ The answer is yes, but the real question is, what are you investing for?” he said. “You’re looking for Kingdom results, not preserving funds.”

In addition to a stewardship mindset, Nicholson urged careful planning.

Balance is the key in church planning, according to experts. Growth space should include worship and education space, as well as ample parking. Nicholson cautioned church building committees not to ignore parking. “It is possible to actually lose attendance after a building project if you ignore parking needs.”

Other problems facing churches come from outside the congregation. Increasingly, even rural areas are enacting building codes and regulations which must be followed by churches.

Virtually all churches in Alabama are affected by fire marshal regulations, and many churches are finding themselves in conflict with neighborhood standards, especially in historic districts.

This is one reason, according to Gary Swafford of the new work and church building services office at the SBOM, it is imperative to work with an architect. Although the SBOM no longer provides the service, Swafford urges building committees to hire a local architect.

“A local person is necessary for dealing with codes and building specifications, and can help you avoid conflict with the neighborhood,” he said.

Swafford has even encountered situations in which a church does not hold the deeds to the church property.

“A hundred years ago, when a community came together, that good neighbor said, ‘Here’s an acre for the church and an acre for the cemetery.’ I would advise any of those churches to go ahead and get the deeds to the property.”