Building Green for Better Ministry

by Betsy del Monte, AIA, LEED AP, and Brian Brandt

If you’re looking to launch a building project or are considering remodeling an existing structure, consider these factors to ensure you’ve planned for success. There are numerous possibilities using green, or sustainable, construction that can make a real impact on your ministry. Planning ahead will save you from battling your building for years to come.

The separation between the Church and environmental concerns has historically been a great chasm, with a few “radicals” attempting to rally the uninterested masses. But the tide has turned and the expanse is closing, as evidenced by the Evangelical Climate Initiative (ECI).

Popular church leaders — including Rick Warren, Brian McLaren, Jack Hayford and Wellington Boone — have made a commitment to address the issue of global warming by signing a document outlining theological and policy imperatives. In ECI’s address to church leaders, they suggest five actions items, including making buildings more energy-efficient.

The movement to be stewards of God’s creation has taken a much more mainstream approach, with ECI purchasing high-dollar ads in such publications as Christianity Today and The New York Times.

The next generation of church leadership is being developed at institutions which are increasingly considering the impact of their environmental attitudes and decisions. Dallas Theological Seminary, for example, notes in their organizational policies it’s “committed to doing its part for the environment that God has entrusted to man.” Regarding future facility planning, DTS leaders work closely with their operational divisions to “ensure we’re specifying or preparing for the use of sustainable, renewable and efficient products in our buildings wherever possible.”

At Wheaton College, the environmental studies department focuses on “teaching the science and service of stewardship” and delivering that message to the global Church with the mission of influencing culture.

In the 2006 Cone Millennial Cause Study — a national survey released in late October — a clear case is made that Millennials (those born between 1979 and 2001) will reward those organizations which are environmentally responsible. With many churches focusing on attracting a younger generation, the attitudes of those 15- to 27-year-olds should be considered.

According to the study:

• Eighty-three percent will place more trust in a company if it’s socially and environmentally responsible.
• Sixty-six percent will consider a company’s social/environmental commitment when recommending its products and services.

These attitudes are not limited to the buying power of this generation, but might impact their opinion of your church, as well as the potential growth of your congregation.

As your church leaders develop plans to impact the spiritual growth of each of your members, consider the environment in which they’re learning. According to the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), taking steps to improve air quality might impact a person’s learning performance by as much as 20 percent.

While most church staffs are focused on impacting their people by offering improved content, new formats and dynamic teaching, a significant difference can be made in the planning stages of your next construction project. Improving air quality and lighting can make a drastic difference.

Retaining employees and maximizing their productivity are also keys to an effective ministry. The lost opportunities and the expense of recruiting and training should lead every church to consider how to maintain and maximize their often under-staffed teams.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that the average worker spends roughly 90 percent of his or her time indoors, and that building-related illnesses cost organizations tens of billions of dollars each year. Many organizations have found that improvements in lighting, air quality and other green features increase productivity and reduce absenteeism.

Additionally, when potential new employees consider their employment options, features like natural light and a comfortable work environment are significant considerations. According to a poll by Mortgage Lenders Network USA, 94 percent of Americans prefer to work in a building that’s designed to be energy-efficient and ecologically sound.

Energy efficiency is very important in a cost-effective sustainable building. It’s important to ensure the HVAC system is the right size for the building. Having too much capacity can lead to inefficient use. It will cost more upfront, as well as in overall utility costs. Keeping the facility running as efficiently as possible can reduce costs substantially over the long run. An HVAC expert can help to make sure the system is appropriate for your size facility and works as it’s supposed to.

Efficient light fixtures — carefully selected for appropriate placement — use less electricity. By using florescent bulbs, automatic shut-off switches and motion detectors, it’s easy to save on electricity costs.

Natural lighting can also affect the amount of artificial lighting needed and is very important to the quality of life within the building. Including atriums with skylights, large clerestories and lots of windows allows natural light to permeate the building. It’s important, however, to select high-performance glass or to shade windows to prevent excessive solar heat gain.

Another area to focus on is the water use inside the building. Low-flow fixtures can immensely reduce water costs. When looking to make improvements with a new or existing building, a good way to measure them is with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. The LEED Green Building Rating System™ has been developed by the United States Green Building Council as a nationwide set of standards for sustainable construction. Standards are available for both new and existing buildings, and can be used as a guide during planning and construction.

Even if a church doesn’t seek LEED certification, the standards can provide a framework for sustainable construction practices. The LEED standards recognize performance in five critical areas: indoor environmental quality, sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, and materials selection. The standards and further information are available online at www.usgbc.org. 

As you shepherd the flock God has given you and consider the changes taking place in our culture, consider these principles as you prepare for the growth of your church. Maximizing your ministry, reducing costs, attracting new members and having a more productive staff are all worthy goals as you consider your next construction project.

Betsy del Monte chairs the board of directors of the U.S. Green Building Council North Texas Chapter and is president-elect of the Dallas Chapter of the AIA. She serves as an architectural principal for The Beck Group, an integrated design and construction firm headquartered in Dallas.

Brian Brandt is the executive pastor of Grace Community Church, a multi-site church with four locations in East Texas. Brandt has spent the majority of his career in leadership positions with two of the nation’s largest camps and conference centers. He’s a regular speaker, trainer and contributor to various conferences and media outlets.