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Liturgical Design Consulting OverviewParticipants | Guiding concepts | Typical flow | Services provided Liturgical Design Consultation is a process that enables a congregation to develop the most appropriate building for its worship and ministry. The Liturgical Design Consultant works with the congregation to provide leadership in all aspects of the process, collaboration with other professionals, and offering expert insight and knowledge. The basic process for liturgical consulting is composed to two groups of people: the committee and the advisors. These two groups work on behalf of and in conversation with the congregation to develop a plan for building or renovating. The implementation of the plan is carried out by the committee, after congregational approval. The goal of this process is to involve the congregation in the process and create the maximum support for the project possible. With the large number of people involved and the open structure, congregation members feel that they have been included in the decisions. The committee, composed of 12-20 people, works intimately on the project and with the hired professionals (consultants, architect, contractors, etc.). The scope of commitment is typically 3 years from start to completion with monthly or more frequent meetings. The committee should be composed of individuals who are committed to the congregation and the project and representative of the congregation. Initially, the committee will meet to assess the ministries of the congregation for their building needs. During this period, the committee also begins a series of formational/educational topics around worship space. The intent of these formation topics is to equip the committee with the necessary information and understanding to develop worship space that is theologically and practically appropriate to the congregation. During the latter half of this initial phase, the committee starts to meet with the advisors to develop a focus and direction for any future building or renovation project. In addition to their regular meetings, the committee serves as table leaders at the advisors meetings. Following the completion of the advisors meetings, the committee seeks approval from the congregation and begins the design phase. An appropriate architect will be hired and designs based upon the focus and direction given by the advisors will be developed. Upon completion, the advisors are the first to review the plans and make suggestions. The congregation approves the designs after the advisors’ suggestions are included. After design approval, the committee enters into the construction phase. During this time the committee oversees construction and responds as necessary to the needs that arise. Throughout the process nearly all meetings are open for congregational members to attend and watch without voice or vote. In addition, committee minutes, formation documents, and other material generated by the committee are available to the congregation. The advisors are a group of 50-100 people whose purpose is to give advice and direction to the committee. The make up of this group should represent the diverse interests of the congregation. Anyone who has a leadership role in ministries affected by the scope of the building/renovation project should be personally invited to attend. A general invitation (in newsletters, worship bulletins, congregational announcements) should be extended to the entire congregation. There can not be too many advisors. The basic criteria for an advisor is that they be a part of the congregation and have an opinion. There will be four to five advisor meetings. Three will be in visioning. The fourth will present the proposed designs. Advisors must commitment is to attend as many of the advisor meetings as possible, with the understanding that they can not attend the fourth or fifth without having attended at least one of the previous ones. The first advisor meeting is a large group brainstorming session and reviews of the work that the committee has already done. The second and third meetings discuss in small table groups the brainstorming and condense it down into Guiding Concepts that offer the scope, focus, and direction for the future process. The fourth advisor meeting is a review of the architectural designs developed from the Guiding Concepts. The advisors review and critique the design, offering suggestions. If major revision of the design is required based upon the advisors’ requests, a fifth meeting will be held to review the new design. Once corrections to the design have been made, the congregation has the opportunity for final approval. The guiding concepts and a description of the character of the congregation are the core documents that direct the construction or renovation of the building. They are ministry documents that state what the congregation desires to see in their building based upon who they are. The guiding concepts are not an architectural program statement, specifying square footages or materials to be used, but rather conceptual documents that speak to character and ministry. They are composed of brief directive statements, followed by specific items that help to enunciate that directive. The guiding concepts are developed and honed by the Advisors’ during the first three workshops. The committee then fine tunes and polishes them prior to approval. It is the responsibility of the Architect, directed by the committee and the advisors and assisted by the liturgical design consultant, to translate these guiding concepts into the bricks and mortar of a new or renovated space. Here is an excerpt from a congregation’s actual guiding concepts:
Outlined is a typical flow for a full consultation process. Many of the time estimations are given in a range. Because every congregation is unique, exact estimations of time and services can not be given. The ranges depend upon the scope of work to be completed and the speed at which the committee works. Phase 1: Input & review, formation, and development of Guiding Principles 1-6 months Committee Meets regularly (every 3-4 weeks) Ministry review (if desired) Liturgical Formation Visioning Research Planning Workshop 1 Advisors & committee Begin discernment of direction and Guiding Concepts 1 month Committee meets to review work and develop preliminary Guiding Concepts Workshop 2 Advisors & committee Discuss Guiding Concepts 1 month Committee meets to review work Workshop 3 Advisors & committee Prioritize Guiding concepts 1-4 months Committee refines concepts and begins architect research Approval of Guiding concepts by Advisors and Congregation Phase 2: Design development and construction 1-2 months Committee interviews architects 3-8 months Committee works on design development with Architect Translating the Guiding concepts into bricks and mortar Workshop 4 Advisors & Committee View and discuss design 0-1 months Committee and Architect work to adapt design based upon Advisors’ recommendations Congregational approval of design 12 months Construction Periodic aftercare for the following 12 months, including dedication celebration and liturgical evaluations Liturgical Consultation services Below is an itemized list of services for each of the phases of Liturgical Consultation. Additional services might be available and offered as requested and needed. Phase 1 – visioning and preparation
Phase 2 – Design development and construction
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