"A church should build only when it can do so without shifting it's focus from ministering to people to building a building." Architect Ray Bowman, When Not to Build.
To build or not to build. Shakespeare didn't ask that particular question, but church planters often do.
I recommend that new churches begin by first thinking about building a kingdom presence in their sphere of influence BEFORE ever entertaining building a physical building. That doesn't mean I don't think good facilities are important--- they are--- especially when you live in a weather climate like I do where it's cold and snowy from November through March!
Four ways I believe you can start using facilities:
1). If you have the monthly income to make it happen, it's a good idea to rent/lease an office space that is close to people connections (downtown, or next to a cluster of busy businesses). Make your windows well marked. Create a warm environment with paint, pictures and rugs. Give it a feeling of "God in the daily marketplace." You can do this without spending a lot of money.
2). This can communicate to the community that you're legitimate and open to the public. Having an office in your home can also work, but it means meeting with the public in public spaces--- such as restaurants or malls. That's not a bad thing. It takes more effort, but the cost savings is certainly worth it! In addition, being seen meeting in public is a great way to shine Jesus' light.
3). If financially possible, make sure your office space is NOT consumed by "your office." In other words, can you create space for a group of people to gather--- for study, prayer, worship or discussion? Like #1, create a warm and welcoming space.
4). If financially possible, make your worship space separate from your weekday space. If you are trying to worship in a very small area in a strip mall, it may communicate that you are expecting to develop a small congregation. On the other hand, think about worshipping at a local school, theater, or restaurant party room. The first two ideas give you built-in media capabilities, while the later puts you in the public eye with access to food for fellowship.
Four ways to start the facility building discussion:
1). Be ready for a long, perhaps tiring process. Patience, prayer and a vision for "why we are doing this" is crucial. Over the next couple years of financial and building preparations, be sure to biblically preach about building the building for kingdom purposes--- then make sure the architect understands that vision! Don't let an architect talk you into his vision!
2). Fund-raising for building a facility cannot be summarized in a paragraph. Look for those details in a future blog. For sure, build according to your age, but with an expectation for the future. It takes great leadership to keep a church out of crippling debt, while at the same time not stifling future possibilities. The key: for folks to continuing tithing to the work of the ministry while also seeing the building of a facility as an extra "sacrificial" gift to the Lord's work. Both areas need to be exciting to the folks.
3). Consider looking for existing buildings that can be transformed into ministry/worship centers. Again, this communicates "we are in the marketplace!" Have you noticed that many of the new church facilities over the last 30-years are built on the outside of towns? That's because many cities have tough laws for church facilities being present in light industrial or commercial areas. While working with a city can be very difficult, it is also a great opportunity to show city leaders (some who may be unbelievers) that your church is about giving, not taking.
4). When building a facility, get out of the way of the professionals, but also negotiate where your own people power can be used. This can create a healthy ownership of the project, develop friendships, give people opportunities to serve, open the door to ministry and even save money.
Friends: when I started my first plant, I went the route of leasing 600 square feet of office space, then added another 900 to it when it was financially possible. Every inch was used. We were jammed, but it was fun. At the same time, we rented the local high school theater for Sunday morning worship. At about the 5-year mark, we started the long journey of fund-raising and facility development. I looked at over 60 potential sites for building a facility. Some sites were too expensive, or too big, or too small. Some sites wouldn't allow for enough parking, or city connections, or city permission. Finally, we were able to purchase an Episcopalian church facility that "went out of business." We used it for our offices and ministry meetings while still worshipping at the high school. From about 2008 to 2010 our Building Team of 6 individuals patiently planned how we could add onto the existing building with bang for our buck. We then built-on and moved-in within a year. Our over-all goals were met: we were in the city with city services. We could be seen from a major road. We were right next to busy businesses--- in our case, Menards. We blended the old into the new for a classic look. We expanded the worship facility and added top notch bathrooms. It is warm and welcoming and the current debt is now around $200,000. Affordable!
The LCMC does not have a fund to assist new churches in building a facility. Instead, our LCMC funding is focused on getting planters and their launched teams trained--- for growing discipleship and for fund-raising! As I have blogged before, the key is for our DISTRICT CHURCHES to create mission funding and relationships with local planters so that churches can birth churches!
Finally...get this: If I were to plant today, I would not build a facility! Instead, I would be extremely focused on simply developing disciples for the work of ministry in the marketplace. How would I pull off such a thing you might ask? I'll seek to address that question in my next blog.
In the meantime, remember, you are not building "God's House" God cannot be contained. You are, however, building a facility to help build God's people for the work of ministry on the outside of the church facility!
"We are His house, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We who believe are carefully joined together, becoming a holy temple for the Lord." Ephesians 2:20-21
No comments:
Post a Comment