Ministry Incentives Program

"God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."

(2 Corinthians 9:8)

The program is designed to assist church ministries in acquiring essentials like land, support in church building design and construction, provision of amenities like furniture, musical equipment and other ministry needs. This is to establish “proper dwellings” for churches and to avail the necessary tools to improve ministry.

Steps towards effective church construction

As a ministry, church facilities are an important tool for you to accomplish what God has called you to do. By following these seven steps, you will be well on your way to a smoother project. Proper planning for your project will enable you to reap the benefits and grow your ministry without compromising the stability of your church organization.

Let Ministry Be Your Foundation
Before you even break ground on your new project, consider: Who are you as a church, what has God called you to do, and should that calling shape your facilities? Every church is unique in its calling. Always let the ministry's needs drive the process. Psalm 127 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labour in vain.”

ConsiderAllYour Resources
Beyond your ministry needs, focus on fitting your project into your expected budget. A project that is out of control financially can be devastating to a church. Every project should be planned and designed in a way that maintains adequate resources for the church. Remember that resources extend beyond the money spent to include time, energy, and the ability for your staff and pastors to focus.

Understand Your Areas of Funding
Church project funding usually comes from three sources: Money you have, money you raise, and money you borrow. It is essential to the continuity of your ministry that you keep your project within the confines of your source funds.

Carefully Count the Cost
It is important to go through careful cost planning so you can stay within your construction budget as much as possible. Luke 14:28 says, “Which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?” Construction costs are generally organized into divisions – concrete, lumber, doors, etc. It is important to accurately budget for each division. Underestimating the value of a division, overspending in one or more divisions, missing a division altogether, or making unplanned changes to a project are four of the most common reasons a project exceeds its budget. As you sit down to determine the cost, consider the three main categories of expenses: Hard costs (construction labor and material), soft costs (professional services, fees, permits, etc.), and FFE costs (furniture, fixtures, and equipment). As a best practice, estimate the soft and FFE costs first, and then design the project around the remaining budgeted hard cost amount.

Know Your Parameters
What are your limitations? Funding, land use and size, building coverage, budget, etc. Define your limits and plan your project within those parameters. When purchasing land or building a new building, an architect should be one of the first people you consult. The architect will identify the development parameters of a site. If need be, discuss your project with a lending institution. They will help determine your financial parameters in regard to debt capacity. Once your parameters are determined, refine the scope of the project until it fits within your limits. This process will help guide your project towards a successful end.

Phase Your Master Plan
God approached creation very systematically and intentionally, completing the work in six “phases”. He also completed each phase in a day and had an unlimited budget. A master plan ensures that you eventually complete everything necessary, while phasing allows you to systematically and intentionally complete it one step at a time. To that end, develop your master plan by identifying the best use for your property and facilities according to your ministry needs. Then break your master plan into attainable steps. Each phase should be somewhat self-contained so that you have realistic and affordable steps that fit within your currently defined parameters. Phasing in this way will make your project easier to fund and manage as you work towards completing your master plan.