Preparing Pastors
for the Building Process
Co-produced by XPastor and WFX
Event Chair: Dr. David Fletcher
Dr. David Fletcher; Executive Pastor, Grace Covenant Church, Austin, Texas, and founder of XPastor.org. Dr. Fletcher is a skilled networker who brings together the right church leaders to speak on topic. By using stories and case studies of current churches, you'll learn by idea and practice!
XPastor events are led by current church leaders. Pastors talking to Pastors! The context of the discussion is always centered on the local church and how churches are doing and improving ministry
This vital executive training session for Senior, Executive Pastors and other church leaders provides concepts and strategies to successfully lead a church through the church building process. This exclusive day-long session features Dr. Fletcher's classic "church-based case study method,"® as well as small and large-group discussions. This is a must-attend event for pastors of growing churches.
Walk Away Knowing …
- How to build according to your church's spiritual DNA
- The steps and language of how to share your church's spiritual DNA with your architect
- How to design your "dream" church within the constraints of your budget
- How to better talk the language of architects, bankers and contractors
- How to better fund your new building project
- and much more
Consider if just one idea from the day saves you $10,000 or $100,000 or $1,000,000. What if you are about to build on the "wrong" spot on your property? Do you gel with your architect?
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Leaders
- Dr. David Fletcher, Founder & Host of XPastor, XP in Austin, Texas
- Bob Galloway, Architect, Jackson Galloway of Austin, Texas
- Billy Goff, President, Precept Builders
- Brad Leeper, Generis, Altanta, Georgia
- Richie Marshall, XP of Port City Community Church of Wilmington, North Carolina. Read the history of Port City.
- Stephen Pickard, Architect, AIA, NCARB, Senior Vice-President, PB2 Architecture and Engineering
- Lamar Slay, President, Partners In Church Consulting
- Joe Ward, Executive Pastor, Walnut Ridge Baptist Church of Mansfield, Texas.
Sign-up for this WFX special feature during the WFX registration process. Sign-up early and save! The Pastors X-Forum includes lunch, handouts, and a full day of learning with and from nationally recognized experts and your peers.
Forum Topics
Spiritual DNA:
Spiritual Leadership for a New Building by Lamar Slay
Spiritual DNA: putting in print the unique factors of your church. The Great Commandment and Great Commission are universal drives for churches, but what is unique to your church?
If you don’t know your spiritual DNA, then you will “build the wrong building!” And if you don’t know where you’re going, then any road will do! We'll explore the following important considerations: style of worship — classic, traditional, blended, contemporary, ultra-contemporary; ancient/future motifs in your church; how formal is your congregation; role of existing and future technology; multiple uses of the room or space; knowing your congregation and how building materials will help or hinder your worship experience. These have huge building implications!
Designing the Dream:
Interaction with the Architectual firm of Jackson Galloway
Pick “any” architect and you will get “any” building! Is this what you really want? In this part of the program, you will learn the 5 top questions for selecting your architect and some of the key terms in an “architect’s language” that will help you express your dreams. How can you select the best architect and how can you interview the architect? At the Pastor's Executive Forum, you'll have the opportunity to talk to a church that is in the middle of the design to construction process. Architect Bob Galloway of Jackson Galloway, Austin, Texas, will give a pivotal presentation and be available to talk with you during the day!
Lunch Interview & Open Discussion
When XPastor.org is involved, lunch times are always vital sessions! Our lunch will interview Brad Leeper and another leader. We always talk with experienced strategists, pastors and other leaders about how to raise funds and build your project. Bring you questions as it will be interactive!
Funding the Dream:
Working with Bankers and Fundraisers
For many, this is the biggest challenge. How can I get the right help? What are my options in “doing it myself or getting a professional to assist us?”
We will explore the key components to a successful financial campaign and answer your most pressing questions. In raising money, how much is enough, not enough and too much? What if God brings in more than we asked for? Less than we asked for? What are some principles about borrowing and the role of debt? Talk to two churches that have recently funded their dream.
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Building the Dream:
Working with a Contractor
Partnering, an alternative to Design/Build and Design/Build/Bid has been used for non-religious construction projects with great success. This process is now being used to construct churches within budget and on time. We will explore the uniqueness of this approach and how it can save your church money and time. Learn why the first 6-8 weeks of the project are the most important when it comes to controlling the cost of the project. Experience the process of seeing your vision become reality through the design of your building. All of this is only possible if you select an architect and a contractor who know how to work together for the benefit of the church. Billy Goff of Precept Builders and Stephen Pickard of PB2 explain how this this process will change the way you build your next project.
Moving Into a new Building
Joe Ward of Walnut Ridge Baptist Church of Mansfield, Texas, recently moved into a new worship center. This will be featured in our second case study.
- How did the building process go?
- What were the concerns and the "easy items"?
- What were the unforeseen items that came up and how did Joe's profesisonals respond?
Hear a candid assessment of a recent building. Learn from Joe and his church!
Many churches rebrand during a building campaign. Walnut Ridge went from the logo at left to the new logo at right.
Interestingly, the old logo is quite attractive, but they felt it didn't fit the new look. It wasn't as contemporary as they desired. This is a great example of the old logo being "good." but not "great." A building process is the time to move from "good to great."
How to Fund the Dream, a discusison with Brad Leeper
Brad is well-known in XPastor circles, having been at all four of the XP-Seminars and helping hundreds of folks in his XPastor seminars and talks. He brings a fresh insight in to how to fund the dream. Brad speaks to a wide variety of churches and perspectives. For many, this is the scariest part of the building process, but Brad shows how to make the capital campaign into a spiritualy moving event for your church.
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Schedule
| 8:30 |
Continental Breakfast
Sign-up for Personal Meetings with Experts |
9:00 |
Welcome, Orientation & Introductions by Dr. David Fletcher |
9:30 |
The Spiritual DNA of a Church & the Building by Lamar Slay
Lamar will give a 40 minute presentation followed by 20 minutes of small group discussion—David will facilitate the discussion with the Lamar. Take home 3 deliverables and 3 long-term issues for consideration. |
10:30 |
Break
Sign-up for Personal Meetings with Experts |
10:45 |
Case Study #1—The Architectural Process by Jackson Galloway Architecture
Utilizing the effective 40 minute presentation/20 minute small group discussion, this session will give crucial insights into the design process. The focus is for you to take home 3 items of immediate value and 3 strategic ideas. There will be plenty of visuals—before and after logos and mantras, videos of architectural designs, copies of plans and drawings, before and after photographs (for use during the event and on the web as resources) |
11:45 |
Break
Sign-up for Personal Meetings with Experts |
Noon |
 Lunch Interview by David Fletcher with selected experts
A New Building Is a Tool: a discussion with Richie Marshall, XP of Port City Community Church of Wilmington, North Carolina and Mike Boblit of ECCU. Read the history of Port City.
Funding & Leadership Issues: A discussion with Brad Leeper on the unique challenges of building a church in today’s culture, economic climate and spiritual challenges.
|
1:00 |
Break |
1:15 |
 Building the Dream—Keeping Your Dream Team from Daydreaming: How the Contractor and the Architect can Work Together by Stephen  Pickard & Billy Goff. "Partnering" is being used to construct churches within budget and on time. It can save your church money and time. Learn why the first 6-8 weeks of the project are the most important when it comes to controlling the cost of the project.
|
2:15 |
Break |
2:30 |
Case #2 Move-in and Rebranding
|
3:30 |
Wrap-up with Dr. David Fletcher
Significant take-aways. Long-term issues. Spiritual DNA. The importance of knowing the pre-building/pre-planning concerns. Construction and re-branding issues. |
4:00 |
Conclusion |
Sponsored by ...
Thanks to our friends at the Evangelical Christian Credit Union for being a sponsor. The Evangelical Christian Credit Union (ECCU) is a trusted banking resource that shares your passion for kingdom impact. With ECCU's wisdom gained from more than 40 years of experience serving evangelical ministries, we are helping churches in all 50 states increase their effectiveness through biblically based banking, financing, and investing services. Check out some great resources from ECCU:
Thanks to our friends at Generis Partners, www.generis.com, for being a sponsor. Generis says: “True giving is a deeply transformative act. At Generis, we believe it’s less about raising capital and more about raising the spiritual consciousness of people.
It’s about meeting churches where they are and helping them achieve their own true vision according to their unique culture. Whether that entails a video venue, multi-campus site, or raising a daunting amount of capital, Generis consultants are ready to share the Leadership’s risk—because they understand it. Brad Leeper and his counterpart, Gerald Farley, have both served in church leadership roles and have real-life experiences to offer far beyond that of most industry consultants.” Check out a great article from Brad Leeper: End-of-Year Giving Communication
Comments from Houston, 2008
Things I loved, that connected with me
- DNA was great
- Loved last guy from Walnut Ridge – very practical
- Being able to talk face-to-face with people in the business
- Lamar’s DNA talk
- Spiritual DNA and need to communicate
- Need to ask, “What is the max utilization of the site?”
- Are we acquiring enough land for ten years from now?
- Ideas
- Networking
- Learning new methods
- Information succinct
- More clarity on the architect selection project
- An understanding of the PCC Network concept and alliance
- Networking with other churches and service providers
- Networking at table
- Interview during lunch
- David’s positive, helpful attitude
- Excellent, professional information
- Great coverage of the topic
- The written materials had some great things not included
- Discussion about DNA and how it carried throughout the day
- Group discussion
- Rebranding discussion
- Process; funding discussion with Brad Leeper
- Lamar Slay’s comments
Comments from Indianapolis, 2008
Things I loved, that connected with me
- The interaction was great
- Subjects were great
- ID our DNA – Great concept and helpful too
- John Jackson presentation hit where our church is – We need to think things though
- Morning issues connected with me – I have some experience here
- Hearing the different problems people are experiencing
- The case study methodology
- Additional “real life” application from the various speakers
- Identifying the DNA of church
- The discussions (small groups)
- Making the case that Dreams are possible and convert to reality
- Bringing to gather resources (with a face)
- Demonstrating the wisdom of informed planning!
- Subject matter was very relevant
- Presenters were instructional
- Resources made available – xpastor web site and John Jackson’s handouts
- I enjoyed and benefited from the entire day
- Small group time – followed by large follow-up
- Small group evaluation of case
- Set the model by starting with the spirituality then practical financial approaches like terms like bankers as partners
- Practical application
- Love small group
- Speaker who talked about buying shopping center
- The specifics – not used as a model but just thought provoking that fits out process too
- Spiritual DNA and being realistic about plans
- Alternative ideas and perspectives
- Made me think, hard about my church’s DNA
- The discussions at my table that got better ech session
- The handouts (I will study further)
- Lunch was excellent, too!
- Raised my faith and understanding. Level that we can move forward…
- Meeting new friends
- Time with John Jackson
- Lots of food for thought
- Personal testimonials and the case study approach to discovery
Other comments
- Maybe some time spent on a 10-20 year plan(ning)/process
- It is always good to spend time with other XPastors/Administrators going though similar things and learning from each other. Thanks!
- I will create this type discussion with my leadership team
- Good meeting – Thought provoking
- Great and very helpful
- Outstanding conference– a day well spent
- David, your personality and group leadership was great.
- Thanks, David, for making this available!
Comments from Atlanta, 2007
Things I loved, that connected with me
- All segments were very good
- Excellent case studies
- Good breadth of presenters
- Small group discussions/table discussions/ Small group talk
- Learning about team approach
- Small groups at the table
- Presentation by Oak Hill/real life case studies/ Grace Covenant model
- Very good information was presented
- More than I expected (very happy with that)
- Selecting an architect
- Biblical approach to building
- A balanced presentation of pros/cons of financing strategies
- A thorough presentation on building issues
- Panel discussion
- Spiritual DNA discussion
- Various speakers
- The working relationship of design it/build it/own it
- Everything!
- Personal time with Bob/Mark
- Confirmation of process we have engaged in
- Celebration of “milestones”
- The whole concept!
- Good communicators
- Morning was excellent, especially DNA talk
- Good interviews
- Great food
- Good insights for moving in
- Personal interaction with presenters—individually, small group, large group
- Cohesiveness of components
- Diversity of viewpoints
- Peer group forum
- Very informative—gave me much to think about!
- Having the resources available on website was a great idea
- Personal interaction with speakers was valuable
- Meeting the pastors at the tables provided great discussion
- Good Q&A time throughout. We learned new things
- The financial pros and cons
- The architectural side of planning
- “Moving Into Your New Facility” was a real eye opener.
- Practical guidelines for architects
- Opportunities to network
- Panel discussion with lender, consultant, XP
- Great expert forum—very informative
- Appropriate details with applicable information
- Very well facilitated—on schedule and point
- Spiritual DNA – This is what we need to define/clarify
- Process of developing construction team
- Great overview of key aspects of the overall process
- The speakers were excellent and accessible
- I enjoyed the input and sharing at my table
Things I would like to change
- How do we lose the “Best Kept Secret” in town?
- I’d like to hear from a smaller church, 800 or under
- Time to discuss with my team
- Break during lunch with no speaker or anything—to mingle with those attending conference
- List of “best things we did” or “things you need to avoid.”
- More discussion on deciding between project manager and architect and general contractor
- Only that this component needs to be on a different day than the other WFX Seminars
- Evening session or dinner/mixer for continued individual contact
- What works best and what doesn’t in a building
- Add information on tangible cost planning
Other Comments
- (about David) Very personable; appreciate your coming up before things began and introducing yourself. Thanks for sharing the stage with others.
- Thanks for having this special Executive Pastors Forum. It went fast with all the variety—really enjoyed it. Very beneficial
- Looking forward to looking at the XPastor website
- Thanks so much. Looking forward to seeing you in February ’08 at the XP-Seminar.
- Since we are in the building process, I was looking for practical information. The conference did a good job providing that kind of information.
- Thanks, David! You are incredible at this. You are building the Kingdom by investing is us so much.
- Your professionalism and preparation was very appreciated. Please feel free to contact the Austin Stone team in the future. We definitely plan on using the information gleaned during these sessions.
- Overall, very helpful.
- It was a good day. I enjoyed the interaction with others and hearing about their experiences. There are several nuggets that I got from the presenters.
- I really appreciated the comments that David made concerning his desire to have more African American churches involved in WFX.
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