Church buildings are often prominent landmarks in their communities. Even if the congregation’s size has dwindled over the years, older structures often are known for their gothic architecture, tall steeples and stained-glass windows. Newer facilities may reflect a more modern look and feel, and they may rest on sprawling campuses outside a city center. One thing leaders of both new and established religious communities have in common is the need to rethink how to be faithful stewards of our properties as changing patterns of religious practice continue to emerge.
Once upon a time, the primary purpose of a church’s building was to serve as the focal point for delivering religious programming throughout the week. Churches needed space to conduct services on Sunday, and during the week, churches hosted activities designed to nurture disciples or prepare for Sunday worship. Some churches used their facilities to offer faith-based childcare. Choir practices, youth ministry and Bible studies filled a few more spots on the building-use calendar during the week.
But what’s happening in your church building today? How well is the space being utilized? When hybrid worship has clearly become a new facet of American Christianity, and our ministry meetings are just as likely to happen online as they are in person, what do we do with our beloved facilities? How might your congregation rethink its assumptions about the faithful stewardship of its physical assets? What can you imagine happening in your church building that would be a blessing to your neighborhood? Now is a good time to explore the possibilities.
Resources
How the church can serve society by changing the way it handles property
As many as 100,000 buildings and billions of dollars in church-owned property are expected to be sold or repurposed by 2030. With planning and thoughtful stewardship, those assets can continue to serve communities, says the editor of the book “Gone for Good?”
Q&A with Mark Elsdon
How to plan for the post-pandemic future of church buildings
The number of congregations closing could rise sharply after the pandemic. The time to explore using church real estate wisely is now.
By Chris Elisara and Rick Reinhard
Congregations should see their buildings as assets, not albatrosses
Talking about church buildings is fun for the bishop of the Diocese of Indianapolis — not just because she is trained in architecture and historic preservation, but also because it leads to questions like, “What is this congregation for?”
Q&A with Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows
A North Carolina nonprofit helps churches convert property from liabilities into assets
Leaders of a community development corporation believe that even struggling congregations can survive and thrive if members take stock of their assets and put them to use as resources for their communities.
By Yonat Shimron
Before you go…
Like most of the clergy reading this week’s issue, I did not take a single class in seminary on property management. Initiating a conversation with lay leaders about how to reimagine and repurpose property might feel like an impossible task. I’ve also met pastors who do not think building issues are within the scope of their ministerial responsibilities. However, I would argue that everything is connected: buildings, mission, faith, finances, human resources, worship, administration and spiritual transformation. Everything works together in service to God’s vision for the church. Therefore, even though the pastor probably won’t be the building expert in the room, she should provide theological and visionary leadership for the discernment process. Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is a time for everything (3:1). What do you see the church doing with its property in these times?
You can always connect with me and the Alban Weekly team at alban@duke.edu. Until next week, keep leading!
Prince Rivers
Editor, Alban at Duke Divinity