(Part 3 of a 3-part XPastor Series)

posted by John Jackson

This post is a continuation of a series of presentations given through XPastor.org to help mentor Executive Pastors who embarking on an architectural adventure.

Part 3: Six Ways to be a Great Client

1. Pastor the Process

Unify the players, process and people
- Encourage the church, the staff, and the building team
- Expect Adversity
- Engage with honest communication
Cast Spiritual Vision
- Building Process as “mission”
- Buildings are not evil
- Buildings as a means, not an end, to worship

2. Know, and Communicate, Your DNA

Distinguish between fashion and ministry needs – you need not be a “copiest” with your facility…or worship.
Communicate your ministry masterplan to your people and to your architect.
- A good architectural masterplan should merely flesh out your ministry masterplan.

3. Speak with One Voice

Who is the client? Define this for your architect!

The Staff’s Role
- Provide precise ministry needs (Programming, we will talk about this next week)
- Assign a Staff Representative to the Building Committee
The Building Committee’s Role
- Communicate the vision and needs of the church
- Manage the project from the client’s viewpoint
- Interface with the teams assisting the church (ie. Staff, Design Team, Finance, Construction, etc,)
- Assign a committee person to be the liaison to the design team (sometimes the staff person, sometimes the Chairperson)
- Manage Change
  - Develop and communicate your priorities
  - Scope Creep
  - Schedule Creep
  - Contingency Budgeting
  - Estimating during the process
  - Owner
  - Soft Costs
  - Construction
The Church’s Role
- To approve and support of the good work of the Staff and Building Committee, especially at a high level, not detailed. A good BC will involve the right people when detail is needed.

4. Choose an Outstanding Team

There are several teams that will help you create a successful project: (See Process Diagram)

Client Team (Church, Staff, and Building Committee)
Project Team (The Client Rep, Building Committee, Architect)
Building Committee (Chairperson, Design expert, Finance Expert, Construction Expert, Staff liassetc.)
Contractor (Project Manager, Superintendant, and many subcontractors)
Choosing the Construction Team:
- Delivery Methods (See Handout)
  - Construction Manager At Risk (CM@R)
    - See handout on CM@R Solicitation standard form
  - Design-Build by invitation
  - Traditional Design-Bid-Build by invitation
- Integrity
- Respected by owners and subcontractors
  - Quality
- Visit built projects and projects in progress
- Best Value
- Experienced team
- Project Manager
- Superintendent
- Estimators
- Check references and visit finished projects
- Talk to owners of recently completed projects (not necessarily the pastor - people who were very involved in the process)
- What is the “Cultural Fit” (Cowboy vs. Suit)

5. Accept Wise Counsel

Allow the team to serve you (see Section 3 for the typical architectural process including terms)
Expect professionalism, give professionalism
Keep your BALANCE (Size, Quality and Budget)