Every congregation needs somewhere to worship. Where two or more gather, someone needs to consider ongoing costs, safety concerns, and maintenance. This is important for worshipers and community members. This space allows people to gather for spiritual growth, social services, and community-building. Proactive facility maintenance is important for worshipers and community members to continue their activities safely and without interruption.
Consider these straightforward tips and best practices shared by the Disciples Extension Fund.
- Preserve value to the community
- Operate efficiently
- Prevent interruptions
- Protect assets
Disciples Church Extension Fund
This information can point your congregation in the right direction, ensuring you’re using time and talents effectively. As you look over this information, write down the purpose and role of your facility maintenance team. Your church or synagogue could even create a checklist of annual maintenance activities.
As a next step in your facility maintenance, it’s beneficial to have a facility assessment. This Center for Congregations article provides basic information about the utility of having a professional facility condition’s assessment. Investing in this initial review of your space will help you prioritize future maintenance projects and plan for necessary funding. Having a professional review of your space also provides realistic expectations for when the boiler might go out or when to replace important appliances. Focus your energy. Congregations want to make the most of what they have. A facilities assessment lets you know where you need work — maintaining areas in good condition and putting energies into the areas that need attention to be more time and cost efficient.
by the Center for Congregations
As facility maintenance occurs, remember there are key people who need to know about the changes. This benefits potential donors and regular users of the building. Many congregations will make announcements in worship and online communication to manage expectations. This avoids unwanted surprises when reviewing the budget or arriving for regularly scheduled activities.
Cutting edge trends
Dreaming, planning, building and sustaining describe the lifecycle of effective facility management and the process used by Cool Solutions Group to help churches manage their most costly asset-the building. Founder, Tim Cool, and his team have worked with more than 400 churches to help them plan for and manage their sites and facilities. The strategic process that Cool Solutions has developed is comprehensive and complete, from beginning to end, as it helps churches dream about, plan for, construct and sustain their space. According to Jim Sheppard, CEO of Generis, "They bring wisdom and experience to the table and look for the right solution for each client. Hiring them is a decision you will not regret." Pastors, staff and lay leaders involved in building initiatives would be wise to consider Cool Solutions to help facilitate their process.
Smart Church Solutions
Visit FacilitiesNet for up-to-date information on all things related to facility management. Find articles, blogs, magazines and webinars on topics such as roofing, HVAC, energy efficiency and grounds management. There is a four-part article on energy management systems, for example, and another titled "How to select quality ceilings". Offerings on the Emergency Preparedness landing page address risk assessment and assembling a planning team, among other related issues. Download current and back issues of two e-magazines, Building Operating Management and Facility Maintenance Decisions. The site, curated by industry professionals, is aimed at a general audience. With commercial sponsors, all of the site's offerings are free of charge. FacilitiesNet is recommended for congregational facility staff and volunteers.
NACFM is a national non-profit organization of more than 300 members who serve congregations through education and certification programs for persons who manage church and other religious facilities. It was organized in 1995. It sponsors discussion groups, seminars, panels and other educational forums. It also provides its members with a network of those serving as facilities managers to share up to date ideas on the latest innovations in facilities management. When a member has an issue, it is addressed via email by others in the organization who have had similar experience and found solutions. NACFM sponsors an annual national convention and a bulletin board with job openings for those who are looking for employment as facilities managers. In general, facilities managers are employed by congregations that have at least 70,000 sq. feet of occupied space. The organization has ten regions and each of these has a director. Of particular interest is a certification program which is held annually. Participants in a week-long training program are recognized with a Certification document.
Responding to shifts over time with your congregation--digital and energy
Facility Funding and Grants
Funding and budgeting is crucial to stewarding and maintaining your building. Setting aside funds proactively can help pay for costly upgrades like repairing a roof or updating the bathrooms for ADA compliance. Consider these resoruces to help you generate funding for your building.
Known for extensive work in philanthropy, the intersection of faith and giving, strategic planning and fundraising, often working with religious organizations.
Services:
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Strategic Planning
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Fund Development Advice and Counsel
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Organizational Development
Preserving Black Churches
This national fund will strengthen historic Black Churches and their stewardship, fundraising, asset management, interpretation and programming.
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Capital, staffing, and operations grants for Black churches
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Emergency Grant to address imminent threats to Black churches
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Support for sites of conscience, memory, justice, and reconciliation
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Amplify historic Black churches through digital storytelling
A Project of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund within the National Trust for Historic Preservation
Creative Fundraising: Assets over Needs
This article reframes fundraising through asset mapping. It suggests using asset mapping to develop a better understanding of what your congregation has in order to better network into a community.
This would be useful for a congregation seeking to better connect to their local community and/or a congregation seeking to undergo some form of fundraising.
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