by Don Emmitte, DMin

Albert Einstein once said that if you gave him an hour to solve a problem, and his life depended on getting the right answer, he would spend 55 minutes defining the problem and figuring out what questions to ask. “For if I knew the proper questions,” he said, “I could solve the problem in less than five minutes.”

This is the challenge for every church as they approach solutions for either anticipated growth or present overcrowding. We can accurately summarize the challenge of turning vision into reality into one seven-letter word: clarity. By identifying this as the real challenge, I mean that it is both more fundamental and logical prior to other discussions just as drawing a blueprint is more fundamental and logical prior to buying two-by-fours when building a house. It is certainly at the base of Jesus’ illustration in reference to the cost of discipleship:

Jesus said, “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him.” (Luke 14:28-29b).

This is where I believe that the process of Strategic Master Planning (SMP) is the best means for the achievement of clarity. With that in mind, let’s think about this seven-letter word a little more. Our vernacular applies “clarity” in a many ways. We speak of clearing our throat, clearing the football field and clearing the air. We shop on the clearance rack, hope to be legally clear of charge, receive security clearances and clear the narrow bridge with our car. We long for clear days, clearer colors on our laptop and clearer sound with noise-canceling headphones. Teenagers long for clear faces.

So, what is clarity really about? A synthesis of definitions brings clarity to the concept of clarity: It means being free from anything that obscures, blocks, pollutes or darkens. As a leader, it means being simple, understandable and exact. The leader helps others better see and understand reality. Leaders constantly bring the most important things to light: current reality and future possibility, what God says about these and what we need to do about them. A leader’s clarity is the sun in the vision-to-reality solar system.

We might say that clarity is the fuel that runs the twin engines of vision and action. Think about it for a minute – aren’t communicating vision and taking action only as good as they are first, clear? Clarity is the golden thread that links the two. Let’s consider further the benefits of clarity.

First, Clarity Makes Direction Unquestionable

Followers cannot travel an unmarked path. The leader’s compass can’t be broken; the trumpet blast can’t be uncertain. SMG brings clarity to the mission of the church in relation to any project. It answers questions like:

• Does your church have many missions or just one?
• Does your ministry team exist for a purpose?
• Is your vision focused within the gifting of your church?

When you can state these things clearly, the articulation of them will generate a gravitational pull. In order to make the way obvious, you must first have clarity.

Second, Clarity Makes Enthusiasm Transferable

When a leader leads, there is always an exchange of enthusiasm. Many times, this comes with clarity – the moment when a follower gets it. In every instance of the ministry of Jesus, the moment a person experienced the clarity of His ministry, they could not contain their enthusiasm. When the woman at the well understood the “living water” Jesus offered, she ran into the town to bring all of the others to Him (cf.: John 4:39). The very experience of capturing a clear idea or mission makes people want to share it. But the ease of sharing it is directly proportional to clarity. When passion and a clear idea are wed, the passion can more easily spread. Momentum is built with clarity!

Third, Clarity Makes Work Meaningful

Tasks easily become routine – dull, hollow and void of significance. The role of the leader is to make sure that brick-making churchgoers always see the great cathedral their bricks are ultimately building. Clarity can lift the mind’s eye to a greater reality. There can be no cultivation of meaning without clarity first.

Fourth, Clarity Makes Synergy Possible

Collaboration and consensus are lost to sideways energy every day in the local church. The three reasons I see most are mistrust, personal egos and lack of strategic clarity. I have observed that lack of strategic clarity is the most prevalent of the three. Leaders rarely clarify what working together really looks like. A common goal and purpose clearly articulated and drawn will bring produce the strongest of bonds. Solomon’s wisdom declares:

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:12 NIV).

Fifth, Clarity Makes Success Definable

Everyone wants to be a winner. But in too many churches, people don’t know how to win. The Apostle Paul certainly understood this:

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NIV).

While I am not a good golfer, I enjoy the game. As I play a round I keep track of each hole on a scorecard. It gives me a quick look at the amount of “success” that I am having in that round. As we achieve clarity in our process of growth we paint the picture of victory and unleash people’s drive for achievement. We allow them to run the race with us knowing and seeing the finish line.

Sixth, Clarity Makes Focus Sustainable

Henry Ford said that the great weakness of all human beings is trying to do too many things at once. How does a leader or organization learn to say “no” to the good things that are the enemy to the best things? Where will they get the best missional returns, given limited resources? They must have a conviction forged from clarity about what matters most. If the secret to concentration is elimination, you can’t do it without clarity first. SMP takes the leadership team through an intensive time of defining the mission of the church and how to best achieve it. It prevents “running aimlessly” or “beating the air” as Paul warns.

Seventh, Clarity Makes Leadership Credible

The silver bullet syndrome has left many leaders impotent. All of us who have been in church leadership for anytime have seen, or perhaps experienced the “silver bullet syndrome.” This is the firing of one disconnected idea after the next, year after year. It is chasing the next newest technique for growth. It leaves church members cautious at best and disillusioned at worst. Real visionary leadership is not about just having a bunch of creative ideas; it is about having a clear, creative message that builds momentum through time. From this clarity, the consistency and passion of a leader are more credible because followers are able to internalize what matters most in the church. Leaders earn more credibility with clarity first.

Eighth, Clarity Makes Uniqueness Undeniable

Many church leaders get stuck photocopying vision from other churches. But the leader’s role requires stewarding what God has uniquely given and being in tune with what God is uniquely doing. The first step for a leader is to draw attention to this uniqueness, to make it obvious, make it attractive and show how remarkable it is. Only then can the leader leverage the uniqueness, playing to the collective strength of his or her church. The danger often faced in this step of achieving clarity is appearing to be heavy-handed or dictatorial. In the SMP process, there is a total team involvement that produces a common commitment based in the clarity of vision and mission. Out of this is born a sense of uniqueness in the call and mission within the kingdom of God.

Ninth, Clarity Makes Uncertainty Approachable

I have developed and lived by a personal proverb: Never let past failures or future fears rob me of present joy. Yet I find both individuals and communities of faith often fall into the trap of past failures or future fears. Of course, to fear the future is to be human, however it is an effective tool of the enemy to paralyze people and deter them from living with courage and investing in Kingdom initiatives. Even though the biblical leader can talk about ultimate certainties, he cannot talk about intermediate certainties. Answers to questions such as, “What will happen to my children?” or “How many people will the church plant reach next year?” remain uncertain. The leader can combat uncertainty with a clarity that inspires hope and expectation. Marcus Buckingham comments, “By far, the most effective way to turn fear into confidence is to be clear – to define the future in such vivid terms through your actions, words, images, pictures, heroes and scores, that we can all see where you – and thus we – are headed.” To lead by rallying people around a better future, albeit unknown, requires clarity first.

I hope that as you read through the benefits of clarity, you have caught some of what I have discovered over the last four decades of ministry – that much of what happens in the name of vision and planning does not necessarily bring clarity. I grieve when I watch teams try to find solutions to their challenges without clarity first, whether it be hiring staff, launching a new service time, selecting a curriculum, recruiting volunteers, turning around a situation in decline, or building new facilities. More, I am grieved at the devastation caused and delays experienced in the kingdom work of these communities of faith. Understandably you can see why my commitment to Strategic Master Planning is so deeply rooted.

So, since clarity is so crucial, let me suggest a simple five-point test. Leading with clarity is evidenced when people can enthusiastically answer five irreducible questions:

• What are we doing?
• Why are we doing it?
• How are we doing it?
• When are we successful?
• Where is God taking us?

Do immediate answers come to your mind when faced with these questions? Would immediate answers come to the minds of your followers? While much could be written on each of these questions, I want to conclude with a final observation: These clarity questions remain unanswered in most church leadership contexts. In such instances, there will be hundreds of topics and ideas floating around about turning vision into reality. But if these five questions cannot be answered quickly and passionately, then none of these other topics or ideas as ministry solutions will make a difference. Therefore, the secret to turning vision to reality is less about tactics and more about a fundamentally better way to articulate a clear vision.

A Note about the Author: Don Emmitte, Church Navigator with Trinity Design Group, is a new “old hand” in church growth, facility design, and management. After serving for over thirty years as a pastor of churches with over two thousand resident members, founder of Grace Restoration Ministries, and author of Morning Devotionals, he joined the team at TDG in 2009 to expand his passion: helping churches reach their God-given goals by making the most of their resources. For more information, contact Don at demmitte@trinitydesigngroup.com, or visit the web site at www.GraceRestoration.org.

Related posts:

1. VISION CLARIFICATION
2. STRATEGIC MASTER PLANNING
3. Who should be involved in the master planning process?

Church structure and practice have a great deal to do with who is involved in the process.  Sometimes denominational guidelines dictate the participants.  The ideal is to have approximately eight to twelve people who represent the diversity of the congregation, along with the specific areas of ministry that are core to the church.  The participants may be staff members, influencers in the church, people who have the vision and a passion to see the vision carried out.  The participants do not necessarily need any type of design, building or finance experience, although it can sometimes be helpful, as long as their experience has not created a narrow view that prevents them from looking at things from a fresh perspective.  Sometimes, participants who have some type of exposure to the industry can be a major road block.

Sometimes a church may want to conduct separate interviews for differing ministries of the church and possibly interview multiple church members.  This can be helpful, especially if the leadership does not have a good feel for where their people are and what they are thinking or if they are not well represented by one of the team members.  However, these separate interviews should never take the place of the collaborative process that takes place as the team discusses all areas of the church within the context of the overall vision of the church.  This collaborative process helps to get everyone on the same page with a common vision and common priorities, rather than competing priorities and hurt feelings.

A church is rarely able to address all the facility issues and ministry needs at one time.  Priorities must be established and some needs must be delayed until later phases of growth.  If the team works together to establish those priorities and the church is well represented within the team, the church has a team of advocates that can promote unity and support within the various ministries and segments of people.  This is absolutely crucial to the success and support of both current and future projects.  If this unified vision is not established, winners and losers are created and turf battles ensue.  A wonderful opportunity to create unity and excitement and a common vision is lost.

If the team does a good job of considering all aspects of the church’s ministry and develops a comprehensive game plan that addresses all needs and issues in either current or future phases,  people will buy into the vision and get excited about seeing the vision carried out over time.  When properly handled, the master planning process can be one of the single most important events in the life of the church.  The leadership can become committed to carrying out a common vision and have the tools to communicate and to lead the congregation toward that same vision.

Related posts:

1. Who should be involved in the master planning process?
2. How long does the master planning process take?
3. How long does the master planning process take?

When the phrase “Master Plan” is used there is a significant diversity of meanings and understandings associated with the term. For some, it is a simple straightforward process of laying out the site and identifying future buildings. For others, it is a long process of multiple interviews, extensive investigation and recommendations that culminate into a master plan. This process may be carried out by an architect/engineer or a consultant/ planner. There is also a significant variation in costs associated with this process, ranging from a few thousand dollars to tens and even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

So how do you determine the appropriate approach to take? What process is worth the time and money that will be invested? There are some scriptural principles that we can use to help make that determination. As church leaders, we are very familiar with what scripture says about the importance of vision. One of the most quoted verses is “Without a vision, the people perish.” The vision that God has given to the local church is foundational to making good plans and decisions. All churches have a common purpose and mission, but the vision should be unique to a particular church with a particular personality and gifting, in a particular location with a particular culture that has particular needs. Any master planning process that does not take this into consideration will fail to serve the church’s needs.

It is important to understand that buildings are simply tools to be used by the church to carry out the vision that God has given them. This is why a master planning process led by an architect/engineer falls short. The focus is on buildings with only a cursory understanding of the vision of the church. It becomes a mechanical process of the architect creating a plan based upon codes requirements, site features, common practices, etc. These are all important issues that must be an integral part of a comprehensive master plan but it fails to give proper attention to the unique vision of the church. The best building design that money can buy that does not fit the church’s vision is worthless.

Another important scriptural principle is “counting the cost” up front. One of the most common mistakes that a church makes is hiring an architect or consultant; telling him everything they want in their building; spending tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in design fees; only to find out that they couldn’t afford the building if they had to. It is an exercise in futility to invest time and money into planning facilities that they could never afford to build. Scripture says that “there is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death”. This happens to many churches in the master planning process. They move forward with what seems to be a common sense approach, but run into all kinds of issues that create huge problems that can devastate the ministry and witness of the church.

So how do you avoid these dangers? How do you develop a game plan that does focus on the church’s vision; that does match the resources the church has available and still meets the church’s practical needs, both current and future? One more scriptural principle helps to answer this question. “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors they succeed.” The key word in this principle is MANY. There is no one person who can adequately address all the needs and issues that should be addressed in a good comprehensive master plan. It requires a team of professionals, bringing their particular perspectives and expertise to the process. This is the only way to develop a comprehensive master plan that takes all issues into proper consideration.

An effective master planning process requires an experienced church planner that can help the church clarify and articulate their vision and an experienced church architect that can design facilities that effectively meet the needs dictated by the vision and an experienced church builder that can insure that what is being designed fits within the resources the church has available. This three member team, working with the church, can develop an effective, comprehensive master plan that fully reflects the church’s vision; that provides for effective and efficient facilities and fits within the budgetary constraints of the church.

Related posts:

1. What is a Master Plan?
2. What does the master planning process look like?
3. What does the master planning process look like?

There are a wide variety of processes used to develop master plans. Some processes may be carried out in a matter of days, while others can take a year or more. Some processes are structured and analytical, while others are much more intuitive and free flowing. Some processes involve large numbers of church members while others utilize the input of only a hand full of people. The type of professional that is selected to carryout the master planning process usually determines what the focus and mechanics of the process will be. So, it is very important for the church to understand the differences and make an educated decision as to what process works best for them.

Most master planning processes are led by architects. An architect is absolutely essential in developing an effective master plan. Their knowledge and expertise related to construction methods, aesthetics, building function, codes, etc is necessary in order to develop a master plan that can be successfully carried out. However, architects do not have the breadth of knowledge and expertise to address all the issues that should be addressed in a comprehensive master plan. The church’s vision and resources, along with the actual costs associated with the construction of the facilities is not something an architect is qualified to address.

Many churches have recognized that architects are not capable of helping them with their vision clarification and implementation. So, they turn to church planners/consultants to lead them in their master planning process. They now have a greater focus on their vision which is absolutely essential in developing an effective master plan, but they are now missing the critical input that an architect brings to the process. The result can be a master plan that may be impractical and never gets carried out or gets significantly reworked in the process of architectural design.

Both of these approaches lack one other very important ingredient. Neither approach adequately addresses the issue of construction costs. Neither professional is qualified to thoroughly analyze the factors that effect construction costs and make recommendations that help keep project budgets in line with the church’s resources. A master plan that does not first accurately determine the resources that the church has available and then accurately determines that the plan fits within those budget restrictions, is virtually useless.

There is only one approach that effectively addresses the issues of vision, needs and resources in one comprehensive master plan. That approach is for the church to engage a team made up of an experienced church planner, an experienced church architect and an experienced church builder that can together, along with the church, address every issue that needs to be addressed in developing a comprehensive master plan. This integrated approach that allows the church to sit at the table and engage in the dialogue and be part of the process results in a master plan that is an accurate reflection of the church’s vision; that meets the practical needs of the church and fits within the resources available to the church.

Related posts:

1. What does the master planning process look like?
2. How long does the master planning process take?
3. How long does the master planning process take?

The master planning process can take as little as a few days or as long as a year or more depending on the approach that a church takes. If the process is not given an adequate amount of time, the master plan can be too general or too dependent on the architect or consultant’s vision rather than the church’s vision. If the process is stretched out over a long period of time, it can become a very disconnected process that can become very frustrating and tiring and end with a very esoteric plan.

So, what is an adequate amount of time? What steps are necessary to develop a comprehensive master plan? The process should progress at a fast enough pace that the participants remain engaged and “up to speed” on all that is going on. It does not need to be so accelerated that decisions are being made for the church rather than with the church. A professional should never come in thinking they already know more about how you should carry out your vision than you do. The professional should be a strategic outsider that comes along side the church and helps them to develop a plan that is an accurate reflection of who they are and what God has called them to do.

There are too many organizations, especially denominational, that have the attitude that they know more than you and they can make better decisions than you. They simply want to gather enough information from you that they can develop a plan for you and tell you what you need to do. Because of their superior knowledge and intellect, they simply need a few days to glean the information that they need from you and then they can come back to you with their plan for your future. A church should never hand over the responsibility for working through their God-given vision to someone else. They should seek help from someone who can lead them through the process but they should never delegate the responsibility.

The process should also not be turned into a series of monthly meetings that go on for an indefinite amount of time. The more time that goes on between meetings the more time has to be spent getting everybody back on the same page. And the greater the distance from the first meeting to the last, the less coordinated the overall plan. The plan can become very segmented and compartmentalized and lack the clear and compelling vision that motivates and inspires the leadership and the body.

So, how long should it take? The process should be measured in weeks rather than days or months. Ideally, once the first meeting is kicked off, the team meets at least every two weeks until the process is completed. Typically, it should be a six to eight week process, unless issues are uncovered that require additional attention. The process should simultaneously deal with vision clarification, resource allocation and feasibility, and site and facility planning. They all go hand in hand. A plan that does not include vision, needs and resources is an incomplete and inadequate plan. The church has no assurance that their master plan will bring about the fulfillment of their vision without this comprehensive approach.

Related posts:

1. How long does the master planning process take?
2. What does the master planning process look like?
3. What does the master planning process look like?

The team is made up of the church’s building team, a church planner, a church architect and a church builder.  This team is lead / coordinated by an individual with experience in both ministry and construction called a Navigator.  The Navigator is the church’s representative throughout the planning, design and building stages of the church’s project.  The Navigator facilitates all of the duties and responsibilities spelled out below, although there is a team of people providing the services.  The Strategic Master Plan provides the foundation for the design and construction of the project.  The Navigator works with the church to insure that the comprehensive plan that is developed in this process is carried out in the execution of the project.  This approach gives the church a consistent and comprehensive representation from beginning to end.

VISION CLARIFICATION:

Leadership Team Consultation – After the completion of a preliminary questionnaire, the key leaders and influencers of the church are brought together to have an in depth discussion of the vision and mission that God has given to this specific church body.  The result should be all of leadership in agreement with the long term vision of the church and the priorities that must be carried out to accomplish this vision.

Ministry and Mission Analysis – As the vision is clarified, an analysis of the current state of the church and how effectively the ministry and mission of the church is being carried out can be looked at to determine if adjustments need to be made that might affect future facilities.

Identification of Future Opportunities and Challenges – An in depth discussion of the setting and culture of the community as well as the setting and culture of the church is utilized to identify what can be realistically achieved as the church moves forward.

NEEDS ANALYSIS:

Feasibility Study – After initial discussions to insure the church has realistic expectations as to what can be accomplished, a more in depth feasibility study is done during the master planning process to arrive at specific conclusions.

Property Evaluation – The site is evaluated to determine capacity for growth as well as features and conditions that need to be taken into consideration.  (It is strongly recommended that a property survey is obtained, if not already done.  In many cases, it is also advisable that a civil engineer is hired to deal with site issues, especially on a new site.)

Site and Facility Master Planning – Both the site and the facilities are planned out either to the capacity of the property or as far into the future as the church leadership is able to foresee.

Phased Site and Facility Design – Color coded site and floor plans as well as elevation drawings are developed for each phase of the master plan, along with agreed upon color rendering(s).

Detailed Construction Budget – A detailed budget for phase one is developed, including any and all details that the church chooses such as design and engineering fees, permitting and approvals, furnishings and equipment, etc. along with the normal costs associated with the construction of the facility and the development of the site.

RESOURCE PLANNING:

Financial Master Plan – A financial plan including all sources of funds such as cash, loans, capital campaign, etc. along with all uses of funds is developed to show quantity and timing of resources needed.

Capital Campaign Coordination – The church is assisted in evaluation of capital campaign options and decision of direction and method to be utilized.  If capital campaign consultant is deemed to be best option, assistance will be provided in the determination as to best consultant to utilize.  If self led campaign is deemed to be best option, assistance will be provided in determination of best resources for program, materials, etc.  If additional assistance is needed in the actual execution of the self led campaign, the assistance will be provided for an additional nominal fee.

Volunteer Team Planning (when utilized) – If the church decides to utilize volunteer groups to perform part of the work, guidance will be provided in identifying specific work that can be performed, along with potential groups identified to perform the work.

Determination of Appropriate Builder/Building Process – As the overall game plan is developed, the church is assisted in determining the best construction process and the best builder option for performing the work.  The options for builder can range from a qualified local builder to a national builder to a qualified project manager on site working under consultant’s license.

Financing/Funding Coordination – Financing and funding options are fully evaluated through the submittal of the Financial Master Plan to various institutions and agencies.  These financing sources could range from denominational agencies; local and regional banks; national banks and credit unions and national church lenders.  The church is then assisted in determining the option(s) that best meets their needs.

The above description of services applies to the normal process that Trinity Design Group leads the church through. These services may be adjusted to address specific issues related to a particular church.

Related posts:

1. STRATEGIC MASTER PLANNING
2. What is a Master Plan?
3. What is a Master Plan?