On-Site Consultation

Churches can arrange an on-site consultation to obtain assistance with building and property planning needs including the following:

• Evaluating existing property and buildings
• Exploring options for renovation and new space
• Considering needs for additional property or relocation
• Preliminary budgeting and financial planning
• Planning and organizing for a building project

The church will need to complete the Church Ministry Profile and mail that to the consultant so he can be prepared for the visit. It should be received in the consultant's office in Nashville at least ten days before the consultation. The church will also need to provide a professional survey of the property and scale drawings of any existing buildings. These are keys to a profitable consultation.

The visit should begin with a tour of all existing facilities and property. One person who is familiar with how each space is used will need to accompany the consultant through the building. The consultant will then meet with the pastor and administrative staff. The first day ends with a two-hour meeting with the committee, team or task force charged with the project. Topics will include where the church has been, its vision for the future, the constituency of the church, the growth strategy, financial attitudes and funding possibilities, and the basic parameters for the current project and beyond.

The second day of the visit is spent at the church to develop budget figures, plan phases of construction, create sketches to communicate plan concepts, and otherwise prepare recommendations for an evening presentation to the committee.

The consultation will conclude with another meeting of the full committee, team or task force charged with the project on the second evening. The consultant will present the preliminary concepts, hear additional input, and attempt to reach consensus on next steps for the project to take. The presentations may require the use of an overhead projector, and a video data projector (or a television set and VCR).

The recommendations and plan concepts are communicated through drawings and other graphics, which the consultant will leave with the church at the conclusion of the visit. A Powerpoint presentation, which will be forwarded to the church after the visit, is a part of the program. The fee quoted does not include a separate follow-up report to the consultation. Although this is usually not necessary, a fee can be quoted to cover the additional time to provide this service, should it be required.

A fee for the consultation visit will be quoted which will include the cost of preparation, travel expenses, meals, lodging, and time. Charges will be invoiced to the church's LifeWay account.

To schedule a consultation visit to your church, please call Church Architecture at (615) 251-2466 and ask to speak with a consultant.

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