The following spreadsheet is a sample guide for the congregational growth of a church.  The building committee will need to take into consideration the specifics/demographics of your local community.  For example, do you have a younger/older congregation? Are there special groups (e.g., college age, retirees) that your community attracts?  Is the church located in a transient area?  Do you have a large children’s ministry-day care or Christian School?Your pastoral leadership and church board must prayerfully identify what types of ministries you want to accomplish and then plan your facilities to help you reach your ministry goals. Architects follow a simple rule that "form follows function." 

Some decisions are based on conviction, while others involve preference.  We are assuming your decisions reflect the current needs and projected population trends for your community.  If you don’t know for sure about the future, welcome to the human race!  However, responsible stewardship requires you to plan ahead as best you can with the understanding that God opens and close doors to various opportunities.

Many churches do not plan ahead, and waste thousands of dollars in the initial building phase or subsequent additions.  Your decisions regarding ministry and stewardship will be the most difficult part of your building program.  But these decisions also present you with the best opportunities to see God honored in your building program. 

Please click the following link for a sample spreadsheet for the congregational growth of a church  Projecting Church Attendance.