Successful Master Planning
More than Pretty Pictures
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One of the hardest things I have had to watch in my many years working with churches is when a promising Master Planning process becomes a train wreck. At the beginning there is a sense of excitement and vision and limitless possibilities for the future. The ministry leaders genuinely want to serve God and people and are full of enthusiasm. Then something goes wrong and friends are at odds, a project is dramatically over-budget, and ministry dreams die slowly. More often than not, this happens when a ministry shortchanges the first and most foundational part of the Master Planning process – the programmatic study which involves careful and thorough collecting of data through disciplined research. This information concerns opportunities, resources, and challenges within the organization itself. We have to start from the inside out. Over the years, I have come to see that there are six critical questions that must be asked, answered, and analyzed by all involved in the Master Planning process: 1. What is the vision of our ministry? 2. Who is our “target market”? 3. What is our DNA as a ministry? 4. What do we consider to be “value”? 5. If space and finances were not an issue, what ministries would we start or enlarge? 6. If we do not start or enlarge the above ministries, what kind of impact will that decision have on our overall ministry, community and vision? Let’s explore each of these critical questions.
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About the Book
Has your church or ministry ever considered a building or expansion program? Have you ever stepped out in faith only to get bogged down in details? Is your master plan little more than a “pretty picture” to present to your congregation? In Master Planning: More than Pretty Pictures, author Timothy L. Cool provides a comprehensive primer to lead you through the myriad details, processes, steps, and decisions that must be considered as part of a church building project. With more than twenty-three years of experience working with churches, ministers, and their leadership, Cool addresses the issues churches must confront and the questions that must be answered at every critical step of the master planning process and facilities expansion project. It includes helpful information about topics such as land and site selection, zoning, funding and financing, the architectural review process, construction, and post-construction. Providing realistic and practical applications, Master Planning: More than Pretty Pictures communicates the importance of creating a master plan the right way. Crafted correctly, a solid master plan can bring unity, a renewed sense of purpose, and financial stability to the church.
About the Author
Timothy L. Cool has assisted hundreds of churches with their facilities planning and has collaborated in the areas of facility needs analysis, design coordination, financing, team integration, construction, and facilities management. Cool and his wife, Lisa, live in Charlotte, North Carolina, with their triplets. Visit him online at www.coolsolutionsgroup.com.