Category: Testimonials

Comments from D.Min. Students

Preparing to Build has been used as required reading in the Church Admin Class of Liberty University’s D.Min. Curriculum.

The following are anonymous excerpts from papers arising out of the class in 2012.

Anderson’s desire is to educate church leaders on what mistakes to look for and how to go about the building process. It seems that his main desire is to teach others how to learn from someone else’s mistake.
Anderson provides a defined process with guidelines and inspiration that will enable every organization to execute a building program in a manner that will maximize the effectiveness of the overall mission of the church and it will (when done correctly) protect the involvement of the pastor of the church along with the other leaders chosen by the congregation to lead the building program.
All of the chapters in this book are easy to read and understand and are presented with a view of the practical in the suggestions of should and should not’s.
If the church recognizes what they do not know will keep them from making costly mistake. He again stressed getting an expert in on the beginning process instead of trying to straighten out preventable and costly errors. There was a resounding theme through this book that stressed the importance of getting an expert. To avoid the snare of building by making the church consider what they want and how to get there.
The organization of the material is presented in a logical fashion, specifically providing a foundational understanding of the vision, selection of a builder, all the necessary preparations including space planning, design, financing, capital campaigns, land acquisition, building committees and information which is specific to small churches. The book also includes appendices in the back which includes a useful assessment tool for building readiness.
In reading Preparing to Build, one cannot help but notice that Mr. Anderson has a heart for his profession and a desire to assist others in understanding building projects. He understands, from firsthand experience, the burden to guide ministers and others through a quagmire of complex situations and confusion within the church building process. Anderson’s response to this confusion is to suggest that the individual have a comprehensive working knowledge regarding the building process, which includes retaining experts in the field, and to follow specific, sequential steps in order to avoid costly mistakes in time and finances. This book overall, shows strength throughout its entire content with examples allowing Anderson to expose some of the common problems churches encounter in building projects, but more importantly, how to prevent the problem before it arises.
Stephen Anderson wrote an absolute masterpiece in his focused book Preparing to Build. It is a high-level guide for any and every church preparing to build new facilities. If churches used Anderson’s work before beginning the process of building, they would save themselves a whole lot of headaches, actually be prepared for what is upcoming, and ultimately make better and clearer decisions throughout the course of action. Anderson comes from an extremely practical angle of the church’s building project. He is clearly a godly man, and certainly believes in the power of prayer; but this book focuses less on the spiritual state necessary for the building of God’s church and more on the literal facts, figures, and procedures necessary to actually get a building constructed.
The single greatest strength that this work offers to its readers is that it gives them valuable insight that is only available to those who have learned it from trial and error. Anderson is more than experienced as a church builder, and his passion and wisdom have successfully been transferred onto the pages of Preparing to Build.

Preparing to Build Was a Blessing

Thank you so much for your interest for our church. I’m one of the building committee member. We are in the process of planning to build a church. We are just a small church, around 150 people, including children. We are renting a building but we just purchase a land some eight months ago and desiring to build a church on that land. I come across with your book “Preparing to Build “. I have already read it to the end. I am so blessed to have purchase your ebook, It has tons of information that we have not thought about. May the Lord continue to bless your company. ~ Deacon Nelson San Diego ~

Universal Principles for Church Building

Your book is definitely going to assist me in moving toward what God has planned for our church. Although we are on two different continents the principles remain the same when we do Gods work. I look forward to being in contact with you again for advice in the future. ~ Grant Bosch ~

Very Helpful In The Process

I shared your book with several people and one of them showed it to the architect and I believe that he bought a copy for himself. Everyone commented favorably on your book and the information in it. It has been very helpful in our process. ~ Ray Klingensmith

Various Short Commendations

I will tell you that our entire Board has now read the book to great benefit. And I have no doubt we will be quick to draw from the rest of your resources as we progress. Thank you so much for your fine work. ~ Reid Ferguson ~

The book is really very helpful. It will definitely be used as a guide if we ever go on a major building project. ~ Orson Chung ~

Enjoyed the book. It was helpful. ~ Terry Hays ~

We found your book very informative and comprehensive. ~ Ron Ryan ~

Thanks for your heartfelt concerns and the calling for ‘our’ Church- the Sanctuary Ministry Church(SMC), and the universal Church. The book is such a wealth to the body of Christ. ~ Bis.Daniel Wambua ~

Praise Report From Believers In Faith Full Gospel Baptist Church

We followed your advice in chapter 11 of Preparing To Build. We called the owner about the property behind the church and asked them to donate that property to our church. And their response was YES!!!!!!! We are working up the paper as we speak. Thank you for this book, I have learned so much from this book. We will continue to give you praise report as we move toward the promise of God. – Overseer Bruce Martin

Well Written & Informative

This is a must-read for any pastor or building committee member that is involved in a church building program. Contains information on visioning, needs assessment, financing, design, capital campaigns and construction. Contains guidelines to use for church construction. It is one-of-a-kind, well written and informative book, and will help churches avoid costly mistakes. {From Barnes and Noble website}

Phenomenal

I just wanted to comment on your book, it’s phenomenal!!!!! Your book has everything from A to Z in terms of preparing the church to build. Thank you for your insight, this information is priceless!!!!! D. Owens

Devoured It in One Night

I happened across your book “Preparing to Build” as I was searching the internet for ideas on how to plan for our new building project. When it arrived I did my usual “glance through” and immediately knew it had more and better information than any other resource I had come across. I did a quick read and passed it to my Pastor to read and he devoured it on one long night. We have now asked our entire “team” to read your book so we are all on the same “page”. Thank you. S. Martin