Construction White Papers
Faith and Project Management
At Ecclesia, how a project is managed matters just as much as the work itself. Morgan Ivan’s white paper, Faith and Project Management, lays out how faith directly informs the way projects are led, decisions are made, and people are treated throughout the process.
The point isn’t to separate faith from the work - it’s the opposite. It’s integrated into it. It shows up in how meetings are run, how challenges are handled, and how teams are cared for on site. It drives a consistent approach in which stewardship and Jesus are deeply rooted.
This has created a project environment where listening, integrity, generosity, encouragement, trust, and prayer aren’t just layered on - they’re an integral part of how the work gets done.
Faith and Project Management
We incorporate our faith into daily operations at Ecclesia in several distinct ways. Prayer is a critically important practice, and we actively invite the participation of our owners, subcontractors, and colleagues in it daily. We routinely open all meetings—from those with owners to those with subcontractors, and even our Preconstruction and Postconstruction discussions—with a moment of prayer. This helps us keep our focus on the big picture and purpose of expanding God’s kingdom, knowing that God will provide where he leads us. (Phil 4:6-7)
Just as Jesus always showed hospitality to others, we strive to follow that same authority and culture. We intentionally and authentically love our neighbors and those around us and are involved with the project with all sorts of hospitality. Our commitment is to authentically and intentionally express love and hospitality to our neighbors and everyone involved in the project. We regularly provide food and drinks, lunches, water, and even hot hands for when it’s cold to our team purely out of love for them. (Matt. 25:35,40)
Some other ways we share our faith is through actions. For example, caring for an owner whose loved one just passed or acknowledging subs on site that are knee deep in the mud, or just providing a positive word of encouragement to all parties involved in the project, directly or indirectly. We always try to understand each other on the project and come to a mutual understanding and direction forward. We always try to treat others the way we want to be treated (Luke 6:31).
Scheduling and budget are always key factors in project management. We always do our best to proactively stay on schedule and within budget. However, sometimes we come across an unknown situation or a material lead time issue that was impossible to prepare for. This is where integrity and transparency play a vital role in how we communicate with the owners and subs. By keeping communication open and honest about these situations, we create trust in our relationships with one another. Christ teaches us all to be stewards of many things, but particularly our finances. Through discussions and explanations of the issues that may arise, we carefully consider the situation at hand and whether or not it is right or fair for those charges to be passed on and if so, to the appropriate party. (1 Peter 4:10)
The opportunity to integrate our faith with the Ecclesian culture in the management of construction projects is not only a profound privilege but also a business model rarely seen in contemporary culture. We are delighted to be encouraged to implement Christian values, such as integrity, trust, and honesty, into every project.
— Morgan Ivan, Project Manager | Ecclesia Construction
