Designated Space: A Thing Of The Past

Designated Space: A Thing Of The Past

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Replacing existing square footage with newly constructed square footage can stretch our faith and pocket book.  It is usually impossible for Churches to replace all of their existing facility, square foot for square foot, with a new facility.  The general rule for what a church can afford to build in new construction is typically 50 to 75 percent of their existing square footage.  So if they have 35,000 square feet in their present facility, they will be able to build about 17,500 to 26,250 square feet.  The biggest disappointment to church leadership is when they find out how much they can actually afford to build.  The leadership will respond with: “If we can’t build at least the same size of a facility that we have now . . . Why build?  So what is the solution?

The solution to this problem is to make a paradigm shift in one’s thinking.  Instead of thinking in terms of square footage you have to start thinking in terms of ministry space.  How can a church meet their ministry needs with less square footage?  The answer is Multipurpose space.  The time when space was designated to only one activity is quickly becoming a thing of the past.  The maximization and effective use of space is the trend.

Here is an example of maximizing ministry space. Let’s say that a church has 35,000 square feet in their existing facility and they want to relocate.  Phase one has to meet short term ministry needs as well as their financial affordability.  This can be a balancing act that can tax the most seasoned financier and church planner.  The church’s budget allows only 17,500 square feet to be built.  Worship, fellowship, education, and administration space will be needed in phase one.  The multipurpose worship space will be approximately 11,250 square feet and the balance square footage, 6,250, can be divided into administration, mechanical, kitchen, storage, and restrooms.  Now here is the magic of multistage space: the 11,250 square feet will be used for worship, fellowship, and education space.  So add up the ministry space available: worship space 11,250 sq ft; fellowship space 11,250 sq ft; and education space 11,250 sq ft.  This adds up to 33,750 square feet of ministry space, and you only had to build and pay for 17,500 square feet.  

twalker
Written by
THOMAS H. WALKER is the owner and CEO of Walker Church Consulting Group, LLC. Mr. Walker is an inspirational speaker, musician, teacher and award-winning author. His book, “Seeking Wisdom from God” was published by WestBow Press, a division of Thomas Nelson, and for this literary work Mr. Walker received the “Indie Excellence Book Award.” T.H.Walker received his MBA graduating with honors, and was nominated for “Who’s Who among College Scholars” during his graduate studies. Mr. Walker served as Senior Vice President with a National Church Design/Build company for which he consulted and planned over $200 million dollars’ worth of church building projects. Mr. Walker’s 15 years with this National Leader in church design and construction afforded him the privilege of having worked with architects, engineers, construction managers, estimators, and financial advisers. His work experience gained him a much broader, more-in depth, and a “Big” picture understanding not typically available to the majority of Professionals in the field of Church Facility Growth. Identifying how facilities interact with a Church’s ministry and mission takes years of experience to acquire. In other words, there is a difference between square footage and ministry space. Lacking this understanding causes an imbalance in ministry space. Thomas Walker has spent twenty years as a Business and Risk Management Consultant, 12 years as a Church Facilities Growth Consultant, and twenty years as a Marketing Strategist. He has published several articles pertaining to his profession as a Church Facilities Growth Expert as well as the following articles on “Renovation Challenges”, “Overhead”, “The Need Always Comes Before the Money” and “Checking References” in leading industry magazines.