The building committee (or steering committee) has major responsibilities of a building program if it is to be a success. In a smaller congregation, the Building Committee may need to perform all the research and analysis with the help of a few subcommittees and the church staff. In a larger church, a greater number of subcommittees will be needed to assist the building committee. An ideal size of the building committee is between five (5) and seven (7). The more people you have on the building committee, the less work you will get done. The more people you get on the subcommittees, the more real work will get accomplished in less time. The building committee should be of both men and women, younger and older that are made up of visionary leaders who represent the entire congregation and have the confidence of the people. The committee does not need contractors, developers, tradesmen or subcontractors. These types of people are more valuable if placed on a construction subcommittee. The building committee are sometimes chairman of a subcommittee and will represent that subcommittee to the building committee.

 
A listing of possible subcommittees and are listed for your consideration. Several of the committees may be combined into one subcommittee for smaller congregations. Do not form any subcommittees that do not apply the the project.
  • Finance / Fund Raising Committee
  • Sanctuary / Worship Committee
  • Administration Committee
  • Christian Education / Preschool / Daycare Committee
  • Fellowship and Kitchen Committee
  • Interior Design / Furniture and Finishes Committee
  • Multipurpose Committee
  • Media Center Committee
  • Audio / Visual and Lighting Committee
  • Property / Grounds / Landscaping Committee
  • Church Growth / Ministries Development Committee
  • Construction Committee

 

The tasks of the building committee shall be that of a leadership position within the church. Much trust and money has been entrusted to the committee. The following should be the major goals of the committee during the planning and construction stages of the project:
  1. Interview and hire an architect.
  2. Review and analyze the work of the subcommittees and prepare a program (with the aid of your architect) for the congregation's approval and use in the design process.
  3. Work directly with the architect during the several phases of designing the building and planning the site. Review designs for approval and cost estimates of those designs.
  4. Keep the congregation and church staff informed of critical information concerning the project development.
  5. Decide on the construction contracting method. Your architect can help in this process.
  6. Review and approve all contract documents prior to bidding and start of construction.
  7. Accept bids for the construction and stay informed of the construction work. Meetings with your architect every two weeks by an appointed construction representative of the building is critical. This person becomes the single source of information for your architect and the contractor. This person reports back to the building committee on a regular basis. 
  8. Consider the budget and church finances at every phase of the planning and construction. This would involve the review of the contractor's monthly pay request after being approved by your architect. Close communications with your finance committee is also important to review cash flow and the status of the various funding sources being used for construction.

       Firm's Purpose | Firm | Services | Interior Design | Church Projects | Helps

Rardin & Carroll Architects - the "church designers"

               6105 Preservation Drive - Chattanooga, TN 37416  Phone:  423-894-3242  mail@churchdesigners.com