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Recommended Reading

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We recommend that if you are considering expansion of your church facility that you should do some reading on the subject of "planning, design and building of church buildings" and on the subject of "church growth".

Books on planning, design, financing, fund raising:

Planning and Building Church Facilities
author: Gwenn E. McCormick
published by: Broadman (1992)
An essential guidebook to planning and building. Don’t build without it.

Firm Foundations: An Architect and a Pastor Guide Your Church Construction
author: Lance Moore and Dan Michal
published by: C & S Publishing (1999)
The unique perspective of an architect and a pastor.

When Not To Build - An Architect’s Unconventional Wisdom for the Growing Church
author: Ray Bowman
published by: Baker Book House (1992)
Great book, bad title. Asks the question - Do you need to build?

Opening the Front Door: Worship and Church Growth
author: James Emery White
published by: Convention Press (1992)
Great book if you want to make your church more inviting to the non-church goer.

A Comprehensive Guide to Church Construction
author: Joseph R. Miller
published by: NCC Publishing

 

Books on Church Growth - How you "do" church can have a big impact on how you design your building:

The Purpose Driven Church: Growth Without Compromising Your Message and Mission.
author: Rick Warren
published by: Zondervan (1995)  (also available on tape)
The pastor of Saddleback tells what works for his church.

Twelve Keys to an Effective Church: Strategic Planning for Mission
author: Kennon Callahan (1997)

Building for Effective Mission: A Complete Guide for Congregations on Bricks and Mortar Issues
author: Kennon Callahan (1997)

44 Ways to Increase Church Attendance
author: Lyle E. Schaller
published by: Abington (1988)

Rediscovering Church: The Story and Vision of Willow Creek Community Church
author: Bill Hybels
published by: Zondervan

10 of Today’s Most Innovative Churches
author: Elmer Towns
published by: Regal

The Antioch Effect: 8 Characteristics of Highly Effective Churches
author: Ken Hemphill
published by: Broadman (1991)

The Bonsai Theory of Church Growth
author: Ken Hemphill
published by: Broadman

Books by George Barna:

Virtual America: What Every Church Leader Needs to Know About Ministering in an Age of Spiritual and Technological Revolution

The Habits of Highly Effective Churches

User Friendly Churches: What Christians Need to Know About the Churches People Love to Go To (Regal)

 

For an extensive bibliography on the topic of "church growth", see the appendix in James Emery Whites book: Opening The Front Door: Worship and Church Growth.