It is often said that good can arise from adversity. For those who follow a spiritual or religious path, this holds perhaps more meaning as many Christians world-round hold this as a tenet. The National Association of Church Design Builders (NACDB) is the good that arose from the challenges churches were facing in the construction industry.

In 2003 at a networking event of other like-minded individuals, church construction owners found that many of them shared a similar obstacle: horror stories of how churches were being taken advantage of during the construction process. The founders of NACDB banned together to form a community that would create a safe harbor for those in the market to find trusted answers and know that the people with whom they are partnering have their best interests in mind.

Its Members: Serving and Assembling

“Have you ever received a gift or bought something that said the three dreaded words, ‘some assembly required?’ That’s what we do. We assemble and build your vision through our over 100 individually owned companies ranging from builders to capital stewardship experts. All of these owners willing to give the church trusted answers,” explains Tobey Van Wormer, executive director of NACDB.

The NACDB has two categories of membership, full members who are design builders for the church industry, and church resource members who provide services to the church or builder in some other way. The association currently has 112 members, 34 of which are design builders. NACDB is unique among associations in that, when a builder becomes a member, the area in which that particular business operates is considered “covered” within the NACDB and no competitor within that market can become a member.

“Once we have an area covered, it is considered exclusive. That way we can make sure when builders meet with each other there is a genuine free-flow of information because there is no competition whatsoever,” says Van Wormer.

Becoming a member of NACDB is intensive. The association goes through a thorough vetting process that includes an initial interview, online research, and talking with others in the industry about a potential member company. An application and reference sheet are also required to be completed. NACDB also makes sure each new member is in good standing with the banks, an even more important check as of late, and that the company is known to hold a high level of integrity.

“We are looking for builders that have been in a certain area for a long time; not necessarily the largest but community-type builders. We aren’t in every metro area yet but from a relational standpoint, we have the country covered. We can find people anywhere,” explains Van Wormer.

NACDB serves its members in a variety of ways with education being the most important. Understandably, pastors are often unaware of important issues when it comes to planning the construction of a new church. From audio visual requirements to the master plan of the building, NACDB can help its members work with pastors each step of the way. The association puts on workshops across the country and has a two and a half day certified church consultant program that helps members understand the nuances of the church market.

The association also requires a thesis to be completed and graded before certification is granted. The 500 page binder that is provided at the training is used as a guide to help these students finish this thesis. The thesis presents members with real-life scenarios and challenges them to present innovative solutions. One example included a church that was facing overflow issues with its 400-seat church and five-acre site. “We had members do a master plan walk through of the scenario and try to help the situation,” explains Van Wormer.

No learning experience is complete without a field trip. NACDB organizes an annual trip to a church in the country that has done something unique. This gives members the chance to ask specific questions about why things were done in certain ways, shedding light on decisions that may have come up with the churches they are currently building.

Quality over Quantity

NACDB members are relatively stable even amid today’s economic meltdown. Many have already completed the design phases on projects and are moving forward with the construction phase. “Some are concerned about what is to come so they are holding off on building to wait and see,” says Van Wormer. That said, the association is viewing this challenge as a way to strengthen its services: “We are taking this as an opportunity to strengthen and help each other. Our whole group is made up of experts and there is a sense of peace among our members,” says VanWormer.

As the association continues to grow, it is planning and hoping to maintain its working relationships with the best companies in its field. “Stability is way more important than growth. If we can get to a place where we are well versed in even more facets within the church industry, that would be great.”

Quality over quantity is NACDB’s goal; and, so far, its success.