What is the greatest asset your congregation owns?
There are important theological answers to this question–the Gospel, salvation, baptism–though I would say that none of them is exclusively owned by any one congregation or denomination.
But there is also a very tangible answer for many of our congregations in terms of an asset: your building.
How does your building serve the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
Once upon a time, churches were built with enormous sanctuaries to accommodate the large crowds of worshippers at Easter and Christmas. But many stood empty–and some stand empty today–during the week. Church planning now generally has more balance between worship and program space.
And so our church buildings, for the sake of the Gospel, are often used seven days a week for:
- Worship
- Adult Education
- Schools and children’s programming
- 12 step meetings
- Hosting civic and community groups
- Food banks
- Heat relief centers
- Music groups and choirs
- And many other ministries
Sometimes, church buildings can also be income generators for the congregation. We do not yet have any congregations with affordable housing projects or other dwelling places on their property, but this idea is being explored by several of our churches at the moment.
A reminder: in the Episcopal Church, no congregation can sell or encumber church property without the approval of the Bishop and Standing Committee. “Encumber” generally means a lease of five years or more–for instance, for a cell phone tower. If your congregation is considering a property sale or encumbrance, please reach out to us in the early stages so we can offer advice, ask questions, and ensure that the sale or encumbrance furthers the mission of the congregation.
Trinity Wall Street’s Mission Real Estate Development arm has developed several online modules to guide congregations and groups about how to consider their property, available here. If your church has excess property and is thinking about how to use it, I encourage you to spend some time with the modules.
One comment on “Real Estate for Mission”
The concept Real Estate for mission is a fire ???? that has been ignited. We have a responsibility as Beloved Community to follow Jesus, travel lightly, using the resources we have for ministry daily. What an opportunity to re imagine our worship space and its property.