By Erica Cottrill for Church.Design
When architect David Evans was asked to renovate the Antioch Bible Baptist Church in Gladstone, Mo., he was given the task of transforming the three-building campus into a new seamless space featuring a state-of-the-art children’s center. “Our first task was to form a leadership committee [that] would make the project a reality, comprised of people with specific areas of expertise such as construction, finance or business,” says Evans, president of Kansas City, Mo.-based architectural firm Mantel Teter. “Stylistically the structure was not relevant, and we required many voices, from the architect to the pastor.”
The centerpiece of the new space was a children’s ministry building, designed to create awareness and attract families to the church. There was a need for expansive spaces that catered to large groups and encouraged community fellowship. The new lobby voiced “the art of arrival” as a space for connecting and promoting connection and conversation. The expansion was welcome--the new design greeted nearly 1,000 congregants on Sunday.
1-Create a dialogue.
The building team is the right hand of the pastor and needs to be solidly grounded. Initially the designer serves as a coach and trusted advisor, establishing parameters from the size of the ministry space to whether or not they can afford the space they want. The variety of perspectives comprising a healthy building committee will offer a mosaic of ideas for a growing ministry. The committee should be comprised of three to five people, include a strong communicator as chairperson, a staff member, and select people who have established a synergy and are focused on the mission of the church.
Initial questions should provide direction for designing a new structure, such as: Do you expect a new facility to grow your membership and make a statement in the community? What amount of square footage is needed? Are you experiencing growth? What are the costs associated with the space?
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2-Establish a purpose.
“Over 75% [of] church projects never get built because they skip the basic questions,” says Evans. “Before the actual construction took place for our project, the team worked together to create goals and objectives. We laid out a flexible strategy for growth. This partnership devised a purpose which streamlined decision-making and built unity throughout the church body. “
3-Understand your target audience.
“A healthy, fully integrated design-build includes the pastor and the church leadership team, the architect/design team, and the contract builder. All three are key ingredients to a successful relationship,” says Evans. "We made sure the new building would help the church serve a purpose to the community, and not just make it more comfortable for current members.
“Whether expanding an existing space or creating a brand-new facility, the daily working relationship between architect and pastor will result in a space that draws people in and keeps them engaged.”
4-Connect with your network.
“Evans and his team asked us what we want to be in terms of vision and mission of the church,” says Lead Pastor Bob Baier of Antioch Bible Church. “We had meetings every week that kept us on the same page and eliminated any surprises,” Baier notes. “He (our architect) understood that we are visionaries, not space planners.”
Communication between the architect and pastor was essential as well, Baier adds. “Our relationship with Mantel Teter was extremely positive. The architects were helpful, supportive and most importantly, they really listened to what we needed. Mantel Teter offered fresh ideas, kept the dialogue flowing, and helped us stay within our boundaries regarding cost.”
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5-Do your homework.
There are many voices as part of the building process, Evans adds, and it’s important that the architect and pastor explore options early while understanding the priorities and mission, vision and values of the church. “We needed to be sensitive to the original style by re-interpreting the old building design while ensuring that the new facility blended with the existing buildings in a fresh way. We created a new language for the church, literally transforming its DNA into a new, relevant space in the community.”
6-Keep the congregation informed.
“We kept the building team small with members who are proactive in the church community,” shares Baier. “Our role was to connect with the community and keep the congregation informed by updating them about our activities and the progress we were making. We went before the planning commission and Mantel Teter’s technical prowess was invaluable. To draw in the community, we held an Open House to introduce visitors and church members to the new facility."
7-New space should blend with the current facility.
The new facility was modern with an updated feel that connected with and transformed the existing space. Improved access became part of the design, with new entryways to make visitors welcome, strategically placed lighting, and a space for gatekeepers to provide a secure environment.
8-Follow the vision.
“The design must stay true to a church’s vision, worship approach and culture,” notes Evans. Architects understand that the church is a face of the community, so it is key to involve people who live in the community and work in the church every day. A clearly defined vision should guide the process. “When a church is focused on designing a custom tool that promotes the intended ministry," Evans closes, "the design process becomes easier.
This article originally appeared on church.design and is reposted here by permission.