Shaping Faith: What It Truly Means to Be a Church Consultant

Every church has a unique calling, a God-given purpose to inspire and transform lives. At Lawson Group Architects, we help turn that purpose into places of worship and community, guiding congregations as they plan and build campuses that embody their mission and strengthen ministry for generations to come.

Our Roots in Church Consulting

With more than four decades of experience and over 400 faith-based projects completed across the Southeast, we’ve gained a deep understanding of the entire life cycle of church development. Our roots in church consulting are grounded in listening first, then guiding leaders through the practical realities of design, financing, and construction. This combination of vision and strategy has made us a trusted partner for ministries seeking to expand their impact.

Defining Our Role Today

Every church’s journey is unique. Some congregations begin with undeveloped land, while others have existing buildings in need of renewal or expansion. Regardless of the starting point, our approach is consistent: we provide direction at every stage. We help make thoughtful decisions that balance ministry goals with financial stewardship. Acting as trusted guides, we ensure each step is practical, well-informed, and fully aligned with the church’s mission.

The Challenges Churches Face

Planning a religious project is about fulfilling the church’s mission and creating the spaces needed to support and expand that work. The process can be complex, but we make it a worthwhile experience. Leaders must balance myriad issues while seeking God’s will for the future of their mission. Common challenges include:

·         What is God’s will for the ministry

·         What opportunities has God presented to the ministry

·         What challenges has God presented to the ministry

·         How do the physical facilities support God’s vision

·         What facilities do we need to meet God’s vision

·         How do we integrate a new building into the existing campus

·         When do we need to grow into new facilities

·         How do we plan and start to move forward with buildings

·         How do we manage the financial responsibilities and stewardship necessary to meet our needs

·         How do we manage the process

·         Community connection: How do we integrate into the community to impact the neighborhood in a positive and spiritual way

Designing Spaces That Serve

We believe a church should be a living resource, designed to support worship, fellowship, outreach, and education. That’s why we create multi-purpose, thoughtfully designed environments that can grow and change with the community over time. Our recommendations include smart, cost-conscious materials, like energy-efficient lighting, water-saving fixtures, and durable finishes. These choices lower operating costs, extend the life of the buildings, and keep them ready to meet the needs of a growing, evolving congregation.

Using Land with Vision

Many congregations sit on land that holds more potential than they realize. Some of the most transformative initiatives we’ve guided began by reimagining the property the congregation owns. Through our church-affinity senior living program, we’ve helped communities develop vibrant environments for older adults, providing housing, care, and meaningful spiritual connection. These projects strengthen outreach, foster intergenerational relationships, and leave a lasting impact on the surrounding community.

Our Commitment

At Lawson Group Architects, our mission is to support the expansion and fulfillment of each church’s unique calling. By guiding the tangible aspects of planning and development with care and clarity, we free leaders to focus on their spiritual mission. In doing so, we help create spaces that not only serve today’s needs but also carry forward the work of faith and community for generations to come.