We continue our journey toward a new building to the glory of God!
I previously identified the cross-sectional talents and skills required of persons on a building committee to appropriately address church program needs. This committee is composed of 10 to 15 persons who can vocalize needs related to the primary life-areas of the church, function as “antenna people,” address logistics and lead as progressive thinkers. Also needed will be a broad array of subcommittees that will spring into action at the appropriate times.
Jim DePasquale
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The process continues. As the building committee works in unison with the architect to communicate the church’s mission, to identify qualitative and functional site requirements and to also identify building programmatic areas, certain subcommittees (or task forces if you prefer) will be needed. They will be asked to provide more detailed, specific input to the architect in areas such as:
• Audio/visual needs related to worship and music.
• Nursery operations, including safety and security concerns.
• Youth program needs.
• Program potentials for seniors, community needs, etc.
• Kitchen design.
• Interiors: furnishings, materials and colors.
• Construction coordination with general contractor.
And let us not forget that all-important prayer (or inspiration) committee I noted last month.
Architects vary in their reactions to subcommittees. On the one hand, a large number of subcommittees means there are a greater number of people to express opinions and preferences. This can complicate the process and slow it down considerably. Minimizing the number of subcommittees reduces the fluid dynamic that comes from excess participation. Some program assignments made to a subcommittee may just as thoroughly be covered by the building committee. Certain subcommittees may even be combined.
On the other hand, I will honestly emphasize that membership participation equals membership support. A church working in unison can create an exciting time of spiritual growth during the journey, all to the glory of God. Membership participation can also produce a superior collaborative result that genuinely represents the true church, the body of believers in Christ. It can happen, but the key is sound leadership from the pulpit and from the building committee chairperson.
I will give you an important tip. In order to provide seamless continuity, minimize conflicting decisions and guide overall coordination, it is essential that your building committee chairperson attend all subcommittee meetings. This is, indeed, a large request, but issues that could develop if he/she does not stay in the loop are even greater challenges.
If your church operates a Christian school, it should be represented in the programming process. Each case will be different, based in part on the type of facility being built. In some cases, the administrator may serve on the building committee. In other cases, it may be better to include a subcommittee to seek involvement from the administrator; pre-kindergarten, elementary and secondary directors; parents; and community leaders. Depending on maturity level, one or two students who can capably express their views might be included on the subcommittee.
Remember, the ultimate responsibility of all committees is to communicate program needs to the architect by providing qualitative and functional input. The bricks and mortar interpretation of those program needs will then follow naturally, as a justifiable response in the building design.
Next month our journey continues as we ask how the architect listens to the voices of the church.
Jim DePasquale, AIA, a member of Bon Air Baptist Church in Richmond, is currently chair of the Interfaith Forum on Religion, Art and Architecture of the Virginia Society, AIA, and a partner in a Richmond architectural firm. This column is a regular feature of the Religious Herald, appearing in the first issue of each month. Send building, landscape or site-related questions to the editor at [email protected] or directly to Jim DePasquale at [email protected].