Lessons Learned from the FaithLife Church Construction Project

This year marks a milestone for FaithLife Church, which is preparing to celebrate its 140th anniversary. With such a long history, it’s no surprise that facility updates and new projects are part of stewarding the ministry forward. Over the past year, the church has navigated one of its largest construction projects in recent memory, alongside other initiatives like a rebrand, new signage, and acoustic upgrades for its traditional worship space.

Reflecting on the journey, Pam Schulz, the Executive Director—who has served in his role for just over five years—shared valuable insights for others considering similar projects.

The Challenge That Started It All

The project was triggered by a long-anticipated road expansion, planned since 1999. That development set in motion the need for a new workshop and garage space to serve multiple ministries, from facilities to production teams to seasonal events like the church’s Living Story at Christmas.

The Importance of Meetings and Input

Though sitting through more than 20 hours of meetings wasn’t glamorous, it proved essential. Gathering input from the right people—facilities staff, ministry leaders, volunteers—helped ensure the final design met real needs, even if compromises were required. Not everyone got exactly what they envisioned, but everyone understood the reasons behind the decisions.

One lesson: Make sure the right voices are in the room. In this case, a few misaligned participants had to be released from the planning team to keep the project moving forward.

Project Management Matters

Rather than attempt to manage the project in-house, the church leaned on a retired member of the congregation with professional experience in facilities and management. He dedicated daily time on-site, bridging communication between teams and contractors—including Amish builders hired for cost efficiency. Pam noted that without this lay leader’s help, the project would have been impossible to oversee alongside normal ministry responsibilities.

Funding with Wisdom

The church made the choice to complete the project debt-free, waiting until the money was in hand. Having carried a mortgage since 1999 on their main facility, leaders were determined not to take on another long-term note. This approach required scaling back some original plans, such as eliminating a pavilion from the design, but it provided long-term financial peace of mind.

Key Takeaways for Other Churches

Looking back, Pam highlighted a few lessons for others:

• Expect the process to take longer than planned, with people issues as significant as construction challenges.

• Bring in the right expertise—whether paid or volunteer—to manage the project well.

• Anticipate surprises, from unexpected city requirements to budget adjustments.

• Remember that transparency and communication with the congregation are vital since it’s their money funding the work.

Though not without its challenges, the project stands as a testimony to careful planning, collaborative leadership, and faithful stewardship—qualities that will help the church step into its next 140 years of ministry.

What's Next for You and Your Church?

If you're starting to work on a project like this, or if you have guidance to share with others, we'd love to connect! Schedule a call on our website.