Feasibility Case Study – First Christian Church of Morris

Aspen Group creates solutions for a church's unique needs

This well-established church of approximately 1,200 members is no stranger to building projects. Consistent growth has led to numerous expansions over the years. The current project is a new $1.9 million Family Life Center with a gym, tiered seminar room and more. Based on recommendations from others in the Christian Church denomination, First Christian Church of Morris invited Aspen Group to compete for the project.

Aspen Group’s responsiveness quickly got their attention. As Pastor Chuck Richardson explains, “One of the first things we noticed about Aspen was how quickly they got back to us. When we first started initiating contact with them and we had questions or asked for information they would often get back to us within the same day with those responses. That impressed the ministry team.…”

Once Aspen Group was selected, planning sessions began. Immediately, Aspen Group began asking about First Christian Church’s mission and vision. “We were thinking more [about] building, blocks, wood and mortar and they began by talking about the purpose of our church or our ministry and were able to help us to understand, I think, that we had to really begin with the end in mind,” comments Pastor Richardson.

The church had previously determined their mission and vision, but as Pastor Richardson says, “It was somewhat disjointed from our building program. It was what the elders talked about; it was what the staff talked about. We never thought of it in terms of it’s what the building expansion team talks about.” Aspen Group helped them to understand how mission and vision must guide the planning, design and building process.

Completing the feasibility step of Aspen Group’s Firm Foundations Process gave First Christian Church assurance that the building they needed could be achieved financially without having a negative effect on other areas of the church budget. “We never wanted the building of a building to become the focal point of our ministry or the focal point of our stewardship,” says Richardson. Aspen Group provided objective standards and formulas to gauge the church’s needs and resources. As a result, the congregation can move confidently forward.

The First Christian Church of Morris Family Life Center is currently being designed by Aspen Group architects and is scheduled for a late summer construction start.

If you are ready to work with talented project developers who will objectively assess your needs in light of your mission and vision, call Aspen Group today at 888-241-9980.