Resources

There are many sources of information about the dynamics of construction and issues related to expanding ministry. We have highlighted just a few initial contacts for your review.

Christianity Today
www.christianitytoday.com

Available in both online and print formats, this resource is a leading source of ideas and news for the evangelical Protestant church community. The web site offers articles from the family of Christianity Today publications, including Books and Culture, Christian History, Christianity Today, Leadership, Your Church, and others.


Church Executive
www.churchexecutive.com

Church Executive offers information about the business administration aspects of the church. It provides a magazine, web site, and access to a commercial database of vendors offering a variety of related business and facility services. It is geared to larger churches with a median congregation size of over 1,300 and annual average budgets in excess of $1,000,000.


Congregational Resource Guide, Building Issues Recommendations
http://www.congregationalresources.org/ShowCat.asp?CN=70

The Congregational Resource Guide is a free, non-commercial guide to resources for congregations. It is provided as a gift to American congregations from the Lilly Endowment Inc. through The Alban Institute in consultation with the Indianapolis Center for Congregations and other specialists. Resource recommendations on more than 125 categories are available.

Dietze Construction Group
www.dietzegc.com

The Dietze Construction Group has a successful track record of responding to the needs of a diverse client base, including special working relationships among religious institutions and houses or worship. DCG is a full service construction firm providing design-build, construction management, and general contractor services.


The Fairfax County Community Interfaith Liaison Office
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dsm/cil/

Often, local governments support ecumenical or inter-faith associations. In Fairfax County, Virginia, there is a community networking office, managed by Sandra Chisholm, that interacts with faith communities on a broad range of issues.


Fairfax County Ombudsman
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/living/ombudsman/

Each project will need to consult with local authorities about required permits and meeting local regulations. Samples are available at the Fairfax County web site.


National Association of Church Business Administration
www.nacba.net

With 3000 members and over 70 local chapters, the National Association of Church Business Administration (NACBA) is an interdenominational Christian organization that provides training and resources in the field of church administration. Resources available through its web site include publications covering such topics as facilities maintenance, stewardship, financial management, safety and security, legal and tax issues, and administrative operations. NACBA holds a national conference and trade show and conducts a four-week certification program in church administration.


Religious Product News
www.rpnmag.com

Religious Product News offers information and access to products specifically geared to growing congregations. This includes furnishings, building supplies, technology, worship supplies, and ministry support, or as RPN describes the range of products it covers, "...from nursery beepers to handbells, pipe organs to roofing tiles, amplifiers to baptisteries, we’re your spot to learn about products for your church."


Worship Facilities
www.worshipfacilities.com

This magazine is geared specifically to church facility managers, operations managers, executive pastors, business administrators, and building committee members. Focused on operations, it provides articles about managing a facility in its daily operations and maintenance, as well as during special situations such as construction and renovation projects.


Your Church
www.yourchurch.net

This magazine and web site are part of the Christianity Today family of resources. It features articles and products to support worship and Christian education facilities.