Endorsements

“Isn’t it great to have a person like Jim Rodgers serving the Church? With expertise, knowledge, and experience in architecture and design, biblical theology, pastoring, and leadership, he has produced a clear, balanced, and helpful guide to facilities. It will take you only a couple of hours to read, and those hours may be your best stewardship of time in the next year.”

— 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 Theological 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 Theological 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

“I’m thankful Christ gave us pastor-teachers for the building up of the body of Christ. I’m also thankful he gave us at least one pastor-architect, James Rodgers, to help us with the building and renovation of the facilities in which the body of Christ meets to worship and equip. Jim’s Facility Stewardship Game Plan is a must-read for pastors and church leaders who want to optimize the facilities they build or renovate for effective ministry to the glory of God. 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 Libertyville, IL; Director of the D.Min. Program, Western Theological Seminary in Portland, OR

“Understanding the dynamic of effective facility stewardship and providing a proven process to evaluate, strengthen, and improve a church’s facilities is well accomplished in this study guide. 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 Professor of Pastoral Theology and 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 both ministry and buildings. He understands creative and effective uses of space and how facilities can actually facilitate ministry—he definitely has a lot to offer!”

— Marshall Shelley, Director, Doctor of Ministry & Associate Professor of Pastoral Leadership and Ministry, Denver Seminary in Littleton, CO

“Where do you store the choir robes you’re not using, and the softball trophies from ten years ago? How do you find the balance between utilitarian and aesthetic? Does it really matter what color carpet you have? 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 and Preaching, Talbot School of Theology in La Mirada, CA

“James Rodgers’ insights into facility stewardship provide practical, and, I do not hesitate to say, much needed help for those who have oversight of church property. 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

“Jim Rodgers has put together an excellent field manual for walking an organization's leadership through intentional steps that bring crystal clear clarity to your building project. We had raised money for two years. We thought we knew what we wanted to build. Then, unexpected circumstances pulled the rug right out from under us. Our dreams flew out the window. It felt like a punch in the gut - but then we met Jim. We took advantage of his consulting services along with this excellent guide. Once we concluded the book and his consulting our team was 100% unified on what we need to build and what our next steps need to be. One final note - It is an absolute delight to work with Jim.”

— Daniel Wentworth, Senior Pastor, Woodlands Community Church in Homewood, IL

“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! Like a clarifying lens that brings everything into focus, the principles and instruction in this book show how spiritual maturity, numerical growth, and church health can arise from the right leadership and vision.”

— Hershael W. York, Victor and Louise Lester Professor of Preaching and Dean, School of Theology, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY

“This Game Plan couldn’t be more timely! I found Jim Rodgers through his blog. It was quickly apparent that his unique message about healthier churches via facility issues needs to be shared with the Christian community. He 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 & Academy in Bellevue, WA

“We had Jim Rodgers for a day seminar for pastors which I host, for I have pastored for 43 years and now have coached pastors and churches around the Chicago-Michigan area. Jim was great! With a unique mix of Theology (D.Min.) and Architecture (Bachelors), Jim’s heart and faith complement his technical savvy. His ideas are very workable and his products look great! I have pastored two churches with seven building programs—I wish I would have had Jim for all of them. He is both architect and pastor, and it shows! Bravo for any seminary or ministerium that seeks to bolster a pastor’s shepherding strengths by using Jim and his teaching plans!”

— Knute Larson, Retired Pastor, The Chapel in Akron & Green Chapel (1983-2009); Professor; Associate Bible teacher for Radio Bible Class; Best-selling author, & sought after Conference Speaker

“Jim Rodgers knows his stuff! He completely understands the unique challenges and opportunities church architecture can bring to ministry and to ministers. He guides his students toward finding the problems they need to solve, then provides comprehensive tools and thinking to help solve them. More than that, Jim is an encouraging, empathetic, and well-prepared instructor. I highly recommend with pleasure Jim Rodgers as an instructor for your program.”

— Pastor Rob: Lead Pastor in Indiana, a student in Jim’s DMin course

“Jim Rodgers’ combination of experience as both pastor and architect makes him one-of-a-kind. Jim understands the unique facility challenges that churches face. With skill, he can help your church think through such things as facility philosophy, stewardship, and the potential impact that facility changes can have upon your church’s ministry. Couple this with the creative and cost-effective solutions which Jim can suggest, and you will be well on your way towards having your facility needs met.”

— Ron Klassen, Executive Director of Rural Home Missionary Association, Morton, IL

“I appreciate your willingness to come and share with our church. That sharing, released me from much apprehension. You also helped my understanding about some things that are needed and some things that have needed to be changed to allow us to be able to more easily afford the building that we need. Your ministry is a very valuable one and much needed by small churches. You are and have been used of God to ‘direct our path.’ Thank you so much!”

— Pastor Doug: Senior Pastor in Indiana, attended one of Jim’s pastoral seminars

“Jim Rodgers provides a perspective that few hold—as a pastor and an architect. His experience, combined with his warm teaching style, made our week of class insightful and immediately applicable. In my ministry I work with a number of pastors and churches in a consulting role. His materials offer me a chance to help churches incorporate their building usage, maintenance, and needs into their overall missional perspective.”

— Mike Williams: Director of Church Relations at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, student in one of Jim’s DMin courses

“The Facility Stewardship class taught by Dr. Jim Rodgers was valuable because it caused me as the pastor of a church to move from the things I would like to see done with the building eventually to a distinct plan with a timeline involved. The course caused me to see facility stewardship as a biblical idea and caring for the church as something that God cares about more than we might think. The material was incredibly practical. I particularly appreciated Jim’s heart as a pastor that was inseparable from his role as an architect.”

— Pastor Jason: Lead Pastor in Ohio, a student in one of Jim’s DMin courses

“Jim Rodgers has an ability to speak directly into church facility issues at numerous levels. As an architect, he offers sound structural solutions. As a pastor, he relates well with practical concerns of ministry operations. Most importantly, Jim has a passion to serve the church! His workshops have helped our area pastors immensely.”

— Bill Yaccino, Former Executive Director of ChristTogether in Chicagoland (Lake Co.), IL

“This course is very beneficial since 35% of most church budgets go towards facilities. As a pastor, this course gave me the tools to be a much more faithful steward of these significant resources. I have implemented these tools and found them to be comprehensive for the design, renovation, and maintenance of church facilities. I would highly recommend this course for those involved in pastoral ministry. For a lifetime of ministry, it will help you evaluate and improve the facilities that God provides you to work with.”

— Pastor Victor: Discipleship Pastor in Oregon, a student in one of Jim’s DMin courses

“When Springbrook Church contracted to help us purchase land and ultimately build a new church, Jim became our main liaison. He operates with unquestionable integrity and refreshing transparency. Jim's work is detailed and completely accurate. Jim is an excellent communicator. His straight talk coupled with honest encouragement and a calm demeanor have been sources of comfort to church leadership in an anxiety-producing venture. I would recommend Jim to any church choosing to embark on a project such as ours.”

— Bob Wilkins, Director at Springbrook Community Church, Plainfield, IL