Develop Your Facility Stewardship Game Plan
From the Introduction:
“Why do I have to deal with these dumb facility issues when I’m trying to launch important ministry initiatives?”
I actually said that as a senior pastor. While I was sincere in the moment, I was also missing the big picture. However, as I began to deal with the facility issues at my church, I learned that God could use those facility problems to enable us to launch the important ministry initiatives. Therefore, those facility issues actually became a part of the ministry growth and development.
Since those days, I’ve developed principles of Facility Stewardship. Applying these principles will enable your church to become healthier through issues you may now be avoiding. Since we tend to avoid those issues, this Game Plan will take you (and your team) step-by-step through: Foundations, Survey, Solutions, Process, and Renewal.
Facility Stewardship is a complex matter and involves many domains including property management, utilities management, communications, functionality, operations, security, and safety. Each of these domains calls for leadership skills and increasingly higher levels of annual funding. But since facility issues involve so many domains and require different professional skills, where do you start? Which problems do you tackle first? And why?
We need a Game Plan. This Game Plan includes principles, key issues, strategies, templates, checklists and useful references to help you and your team launch a new paradigm for church life. It’s not just a set of benchmarks, it’s a map geared toward immediate and long term facility enhancement. To implement your Game Plan, simply read the book and follow the Study Guides at the end of each chapter.
You will learn how to address the facility challenges which serve as barriers to potential visitors to your church. As such, they may also be barriers to those visitors potentially entering God’s kingdom. It is vital work! Implementing this Game Plan is not easy and you’ll experience many challenges along the way. But those challenges also present great opportunities for Christian growth and potentially launching your church (and your change agents) to the next level of ministry.
What others are saying about Facility Stewardship Game Plan:
“Isn’t it great to have a person like Jim Rodgers serving the Church? With expertise, knowledge, and experience in architecture, design, biblical theology, pastoring, and leadership, he has produced a clear, balanced, and helpful guide to facilities.” Jeffrey Arthurs—Professor of Preaching and Communication, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, MA
“Jim teaches a D.Min. course for us at Grace Theo. Seminary. He has taught and pastored our students well. To my knowledge, there is no one better equipped to show you how facility stewardship enhances ministry effectiveness.” Rock LaGioia—Professor of Pastoral Studies and Director of the D.Min. Program, Grace Theo. Seminary in Winona Lake, IN
“‘Architectural Pastor.’ There can’t be too many who can claim that title. Jim’s the only one I know who brings expertise from both roles to bear on issues every church faces. My staff will definitely be reading this book!” Ken Langley—Senior Pastor, Christ Community Church in Zion, IL; former President of the Evangelical Homiletics Society
“Jim’s Facility Stewardship Game Plan is a must-read for pastors and church leaders. I highly commend Jim’s ‘game plan’ and the seminars and consultation he provides to churches and their leaders.” Steven D. Mathewson—Senior Pastor, CrossLife Church; Director D.Min. Program, Western Theo. Seminary in Portland, OR
“It is well-designed, communicates clearly, and can be applied individually or through a team effort. Implementing its workable principles will positively impact your church’s ministry!” Larry Overstreet—Retired Director of the D.Min. Program, Corban University in Salem, OR
“I hadn’t heard the term ‘Architectural Pastor’ until I met Jim Rodgers, but he truly is one! Jim understands creative and effective uses of space and how facilities can actually facilitate ministry—he definitely has a lot to offer!” Marshall Shelley—Director of the D.Min. Program, Denver Seminary in Littleton, CO
“James Rodgers helps you look at your facility with new eyes as he identifies key issues and provides workable strategies. This book is full of valuable, specific, and helpful information!” Donald R. Sunukjian—Professor of Christian Ministry & Leadership, Talbot School of Theology in La Mirada, CA
“I heartily recommend pastors work through this text with their head of facilities in order to assess present needs and make future plans for stewarding their real estate resources.” Timothy Warren—Senior Professor of Pastoral Ministries, Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, TX
“I prepared myself in hermeneutics, homiletics, exegesis, and counseling, but nothing prepared me for the challenges of space limitations, aging facilities, maintenance problems, and parking headaches—nothing, that is, until James Rodgers’ Facility Stewardship Game Plan. What an incredible resource for churches!” Hershael W. York—Victor and Louise Lester Professor of Preaching, Dean, Southern Baptist Theo. Seminary in Louisville, KY
“This Game Plan couldn’t be more timely! Jim has been developing this specific content for more than twelve years and it has been shaped through the lenses of over three decades of pastoral ministry. Now, it is ready. It is Game Day for your Facility Stewardship!” Joe Zedalis—Chair of the Advisory Council of the School of Smart Facilities & Smart Light Academy in Bellevue, WA