As followers of Christ, the Great Commission calls us to be fishers of men. For churches, that often means making room for growth—not only serving the current congregation, but welcoming new people into God’s family. But when it comes to expanding your church building, the path forward can feel unclear.

At Wesleyan Investment Foundation, we believe every church should feel confident as they move forward in ministry. That’s why we offer a practical guide, 11 Things Every Church Should Know About a Building Project. This resource equips church leaders to navigate the path from intent to expansion, offering clarity for each step of the journey.

Moving forward in obedience to God’s call isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it. Together, we can take the next step in expanding your church’s reach and multiplying its Kingdom impact.

01: Cast the Vision

Isaiah 55:11

So is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

When starting a church project, it’s easy to get caught in the details. That’s why casting a strong vision first is so important. Remember the big picture: your church building can become a landmark and a light to bless your community. Whenever challenges arise, return to this vision to stay grounded.

Take time for reflection and Scripture, seeking God’s dream for your church. Capture your insights and share them with leaders and your board so the vision is carried together.

Above all, be patient and trust God’s timing. With faith, the vision He’s given will come to life through His provision.

02: Plan and Strategize

Psalm 24:27

Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.

After you have solidified the vision for your church project, start planning the execution. Assess ministry needs and capabilities with the building and finance teams, there can be a lot of moving parts in these projects, so it’s important to consider your team’s input before starting. Plus, the more people in your church are on board and excited, the easier the whole process will become.

Aside from seeking input from your team, the planning phase can be separated into two parts:

Evaluation

• Review land survey, zoning, permitting, & use.
• Conduct site due diligence to take stock of the existing building condition.
• Consider the suitability of existing furnishings and audio-visual equipment for future ministries.
• Consider opportunities for multi-functional spaces (worship, training, conferences).
• Consider seating, parking, and accessibility needs during both the start and end of the service.

Concept

• Select a qualified architect with experience in church master planning to prepare a master site plan and preliminary drawings.
• Make initial cost projections using building cost averages, then adjust for local influence on costs.
• Present the conceptual drawings and site plan to the church and the building/finance team, then refine and finalize based on their input.

03: Select Construction Delivery Method

Proverbs 16:9

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps

There are multiple ways to expand or build upon your church. Here are the most common construction delivery methods:

Traditional

• Most common form of project delivery.
• Design, bid, and build are completed by separate parties, with contracts for each.
• Competitively bid.
• Best suited for small, simple projects.

Turnkey (also known as “Design Build”)

• Church contracts with one firm for both architectural design and construction.
• Early cost commitment prioritizes cost-effective solutions to meet budget and schedule.

Owner Build (also known as “Owner Controlled”)

• Church independently hires a project manager, architect, and contractor.
• Often used for large, complex projects.
• Additional cost to church for independent project manager, but the church benefits from costs saved due to the independent project manager’s expertise and management.
• Requires significant leadership involvement to integrate voices.

04: Engage

Psalm 33:11

But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.

Now’s the time to start the design process, which lays the foundation for good project management. Depending on what construction delivery method you select, some of these phases may be handled or overseen by an independent project manager or may not be applicable.

Don’t forget to connect with your lender early to get an understanding of your church’s borrowing capacity. This will reduce the risk of spending money to design a project that isn’t feasible.

The design, bidding, and contractor selection process typically includes:

• Pre-Design: The architect and civil engineer collect information about the property, scope of the project, zoning and land use parameters, and any structures they’ll be working with or around.
• Schematic Design: The architect, with your feedback, helps develop a site plan, floor plan, and overall building elevation drawings. The plan should include structural details, as well as behind-the-scenes mechanicals & utilities.
• Design Development: After you’re satisfied with the overall schematic design, the architect fills out the plans with more detailed information such as placement of doors and windows, fixtures, and finishes. This phase may include some rough contractor estimates.
• Permitting: Construction documents are submitted to the permitting authorities for review and issuance of the permits. Depending on the municipality, this process can take several months.
• Bidding: Bids are solicited from contractors based on the completed plans. The AIA contract for construction is negotiated and signed.

Pre-Design:

05: Go All-In

Proverbs 3:9

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops.

Now that you have counted the cost and obtained preliminary architectural renderings to show the congregation, it’s time to raise money! As you start your fundraising campaign, here are some best practices to consider:

• A campaign consultant can help you plan but does not guarantee success.
• Over a 2-year period, it’s reasonable to expect a well-engaged congregation to be able to raise “over and above” funds equal to 1x-1.5x its annual tithes and offerings. This is an estimate only, and many factors can affect this dynamic.
• Don’t count on collecting all pledges. An 80-90% pledge collection rate is a successful campaign.
• Most campaigns include a “silent” phase. Key givers, legacy team, and board members are approached one-on-one by senior church leadership. Often, as much as 20-50% of a project’s goal is met in the silent phase before the campaign is made public.
• When the campaign is announced, there is often a “first fruits” Sunday where early pledges are made and collected. The % of goal raised from the “first fruits” offering gives church leadership insight into how successful the campaign will be in raising the necessary funds.

These first five steps are only the beginning of bringing your Kingdom vision to life. We encourage you to pause, reflect on God’s calling for your church, and consider how He may be leading you forward. If expansion is part of that calling, Wesleyan Investment Foundation is here to walk with you as a trusted partner, helping turn Kingdom dreams into reality.

To discover steps 6–11, visit wifonline.com/11–things–download. This free guide is designed to prepare your church for what’s next. At WIF, we provide flexible loans at competitive rates so your ministry can move forward with confidence. Together, we’ll equip your church to expand its reach and multiply its Kingdom impact.