Provided free of charge as part of the mission and ministry
of the CNH District Church Extension Fund

Planning Services: "What do we need?"

• The Building Process: The staff of the CNH District Church Extension Fund can help you lay out the steps and sequence of events to ensure a successful building program.  Charts are available which help a Building Committee and congregation visually capture what is involved in and the flow of the process.
   

• Congregational Newsletters: As part of our commitment to provide as much information as possible to aid congregations in their planning processes, CEF publishes a quarterly Congregational Newsletter which attempts to disseminate information related to planning and the building process that we have gathered over the years.  These newsletters are mailed to every congregation in the CNH District.  To see back issues, click here.
   

• Mission Planning: CEF offers a one day planning session to help a congregation arrive at a Mission Statement, Core Values and Vision Statement as well as short-term goals.  You may also contact the CNH District CEF for more extensive help in the areas of planning and renewal.
   

• The Building Program: The CNH District CEF has several charts available that can help a Building Committee with information on space requirements, congregational surveys, needs surveys and more.  All of this information will help an architect more completely understand the needs of the congregation.
   

• Architectural Handbook: This comprehensive review of planning for a project is available online at www.LCEF.org.
   

• Demographic Information: A thorough demographic study is available through the CNH District office.  The CNH District CEF is available to supplement that information with research in the local community on development activity and General Plan information.   

Referral Services: "Where are the resources?"

• Capital Campaign Vendors: The CNH District CEF can provide you with a list of vendors and the congregations who have used them in the past so that you may find the organization right for your ministry.  Click here to access the Capital Campaign Referral list.
   

• Architects: The CNH District CEF can provide you with a list of architects who have designed projects in the District and the congregations for whom they have worked.  Click here to review the Architect Referral list.  CEF can also provide you with a list of suggested interview questions designed to be used in the selection of an architect.
   

• Project Design: The CNH District CEF can refer a congregation to recent projects which are similar to what they are planning.  Also available are several printed resources which help a Building Committee review the proposed project for savings in the design.
   

• New Site Development: Church Development Partners is a Recognized Service Organization of the LCMS.  They should be contacted if a congregation needs real estate and entitlement expertise when developing a new piece of property where part of the property may be sold off. 
   

• Laborers For Christ: This is a national program of volunteer construction workers who manage a project for the congregation.  Contact Laborers For Christ for limitations in project scope and contract conditions.

Consulting Services: "Can we get a second opinion?"

• Project Costing: Staff at the CNH District CEF can provide at no cost an estimate of the cost of your project from your architect's elevations or drawings.  This second opinion can often provide valuable information about the true cost of the project as well as highlight items that may have been overlooked. 
   

• Site Acquisition: When a congregation is considering the purchase of new property, CEF can provide a form which will insure that consideration has been given to all aspects of the site's potential costs and uses.  CEF staff will personally help with the site evaluation process.

Financial Services: "Can we afford it?"

• Borrowing Ability: The staff of the CNH District CEF can provide a congregation with an estimate of their borrowing power based upon information provided by the congregation.  This helps a congregation identify early on in the project whether they can afford the building they are planning.
   

• Project Budget: Congregations are encouraged to contact CEF at the very beginning of the project planning process as CEF can provide help in setting up a project budget that will include many soft and indirect costs which are frequently overlooked. 
   

• Cash Flow Pro Forma: With information provided by the congregation, CEF can develop a cash flow pro forma which gives a clear picture of the financial needs and flow of the project.
   

• School Financial Analysis: The CNH District CEF has developed financial models for both schools and preschools which plug in all income, expense and attendance figures to get a true financial picture of the entity both now and into the future.  It is a valuable tool in evaluating options for getting a school back to sound financial footing. It is now a CEF requirement for approval of loans to congregations with schools.