Integrated Planning Consultation
Your investment
To get maximum benefit from this process, you will need to make several investments.
- Study. Your pastors and board members will need to prepare for the consultation by reading two books: When Not to Build and Natural Church Development (or the booklet The ABCs of Natural Church Development for those who don't want to read as much). These books will give you a basic understanding of the principles that guide our work. Depending on the issues your church is facing, we may ask your staff or other leaders to read another book directly related to a key issue you are facing.
- Research. As part of the consultation, your church will complete a comprehensive self-study that will involve many members of the congregation.
- Prayer. We find that when church leaders have saturated the consultation process with prayer, God has a much freer hand to work in that church. Prior to the on-site visit, we will send you some specific suggestions on how you can be praying.
- Finances. When we work with you, we become, in effect, adjunct staff for the duration of the consulting/coaching. We are the outside equippers who come alongside your local equippers–pastors and teachers–to better equip you to carry out your mission.
- Implementation. This is your greatest investment. The best plan in the world is of no value unless it is implemented. Part of your church's commitment in scheduling a consultation is to form a Facilities Task Force to lead the implementation of the facility recommendations and to form a Church Health Team to lead the implementation of the ministry recommendations. We will guide you forming these teams.
Fees
Depending on the size of the congregation and the complexity of the issues, the cost of this consulting package typically ranges from about $11,000 to $30,000 plus travel reimbursement. Because this planning process typically reduces facility costs by an amount far greater than the cost of the consultation, many churches pay for this consultation package out of their building or growth fund. If you extend your ministry coaching relationship, it would be appropriate to fund the ministry coaching out of either your equipping budget or your growth fund.
Payment schedule
Installment 1: Due upon contracting. Receipt of this payment secures your consultation date.
Installment 2: Due during site visit.
Travel reimbursement: Due shortly after site visit.
Installment 3: Due upon receipt of written report.
What your church gets from an Integrated Planning Consultation