Can You Complete a Church Construction Project without Church Debt?
Debt is a four-letter word - literally. But is it that kind of four-letter word? Debt can send your anxiety through the roof. Just watch the US Debt skyrocket at usdebtclock.org. You could also listen to politicians debate the merits of student debt relief. In this cultural moment, it’s hard to see debt as anything other than bad or foolish. But is debt always bad? Is all debt bad? Should debt be avoided at all costs? The pressure of going into debt is amplified when applied to the church. Spiritual dynamics must be factored in. Multiple people are involved. A [...]
Reframing Your Ministry: 3 Ways to Leave a Church Legacy
Death and taxes. They say those are the only unavoidable things in life. There’s some truth to that, but not only for people. It’s also true for organizations like churches. It’s a harsh reality to face. But it’s becoming increasingly common in America. Lifeway reports that up to 10,000 churches close their doors every year. No one wants to be entrusted with shutting off the lights for the last time. So many memories are embedded in between the walls of a church building—weddings, baptisms, laughter, prayer, worship, grieving, and more. Every church, though, has a lifespan. It has a birthday, [...]
Designing Children’s Ministry Spaces: 4 Priorities to Help Your Church Flourish
Children aren’t the future of the church. They ARE the church. Children of every age are a meaningful part of every church. Didn’t Jesus say He wants the little children to come to Him? Prioritizing children is a privilege for the church. Children and families should receive consideration in plans, budgets, and building space. When designing children's ministry spaces, you must balance multiple priorities. From caring for individual children to integrating safety policies for volunteers to crafting functional spaces – you’ve got your work cut out for you! Designing children's ministry spaces is not a solitary task. It's a collaborative [...]
Key Questions and Essential Spaces for Church Design
Could you imagine going to church in a gym? Some churches wouldn’t have it any other way, and others would absolutely go to church in a gym—but only if it was strategically renovated. Everyday Church purchased an old LA Fitness building to renovate. Soon, the church will transform the old gym into a place of worship and ministry for the community. When the renovations are complete, no one will accidentally show up to the building for a workout. On the other side of the country, though, people show up to a church building for their workout. As Is Church renovated [...]
6 Key Priorities for a Successful Church Construction Process
Your church building matters to God. It can be a sacred space that cultivates community, inspires worship, and tangibly demonstrates love to your neighbors. Church building projects are defining moments in the life of a church. They require an enormous investment of time, energy, and finances. New church construction will set the trajectory for the future of your congregation. Just like you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression, you don’t get a second chance to work through a church construction project. If you’re considering taking on a church building project, you likely have many questions. Where [...]
Ready for 2024? Top Giving Trends in Christian Churches
Are you worried about your church’s financial outlook in 2024? We know how hard it can be just to fund a church’s monthly budget. Regular church attendance has been down since the pandemic started, and leaders often do not know if their monthly commitments will be covered in any given month, let alone decide if fundraising for a building campaign is a good idea. If we’re being honest here, we know the angel Gabriel isn’t going to descend in a cloud of glory and give you the church’s financial rundown for 2024, but we have the next best thing—data. Would [...]
Cultivating Generosity: A Look at the 5 Types of Givers in the Church
Financially generous and sacrificial people can impact the world in significant ways. Church construction projects that bless communities require financial backing. If you have a God-sized vision for your church – and your community – you will need to know how to encourage the entire congregation to take the next step in their giving journey. Some pastors shy away from discussing money. This is understandable. You don’t want people to think the church only cares about money, and you don’t want to be greedy. However, you’ll have difficulty teaching people to follow Jesus without discussing money. Church thought leader Carey [...]
6 Steps to Maximize the Impact of Your Church Construction Process
Do you know how long it takes to become an expert in a given field? Most researchers suggest you must invest no less than 10,000 hours of intentional practice to become an expert. For those leading their church through a church construction process, no one will blame you for not being an expert! But they might blame you for trying to be. You don’t have to make your own mistakes. You can benefit from what others have already learned the hard way. If you’re considering taking on a church building project, your first decisions will determine the difficulty of your [...]
Overcoming Challenges in Committee-Driven Church Building Projects
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” This ancient wisdom from Africa rings true across the centuries and across the ocean. Sometimes, efficiency isn’t what’s needed. Community is. After all, the first - and only - thing God said that was not good in His creation was man being alone. We were designed to engage in life together. That’s why the team at Catalyst Construction believes that church buildings are best constructed when churches adopt a team-based approach to their projects. However, committee-led church building projects are not without their challenges. It [...]
5 Common Communication Mistakes in Construction Projects
Have you ever hit “send” on a text message without double-checking it? And has the “autocorrect” function ever failed you so miserably that what you sent completely confused the message? Communication is as basic and essential to humanity as breathing. Unlike breathing, though, sending and receiving messages can get complicated. When it does, progress of all kinds can grind to a halt, including construction projects. Effective communication is the backbone of a well-executed construction project, from coordinating tasks and ensuring safety to managing timelines and budgets. With over 17 years of experience and roughly 45 projects completed each year, we [...]
