As buildings age, congregations must discern how to move forward
New purposes for old buildings |
We discovered during the COVID-19 pandemic that congregations can make major adjustments to do ministry without a building. We also found out that returning to the sanctuary became a priority once the novelty of worshipping online wore off. We cannot deny that church buildings are sacred spaces. We officiate weddings and perform baptisms in our sanctuaries. We comfort grieving families through shared meals after funerals in our fellowship spaces. We gather for prayer and teach classes that sustain the current generation’s hope and cultivate faith in the next. In rural communities and urban centers, religious buildings are often well-known landmarks. The steeples and spires serve as stable reference points even as the neighboring landscape changes. But one of the challenges we face today is that many religious buildings are falling into disrepair. As the facilities age and maintenance costs increase, congregations must discern how to move forward: relocate or repurpose? Relocating can be challenging, given the cost of land and construction. But what does it look like to repurpose our buildings? Some congregations have discovered that their mission is energized when they use the building more instead of less. What if the church doors stayed open six or seven days a week to offer resources and renewal to the community through programs and partnerships? Is it possible to use church-owned property to address pressing needs in the local area? We love our old buildings. But sometimes we are overcome with nostalgia, and we fail to see how deferred maintenance erodes the church’s future vision. How might your congregation be more intentional about imagining a new purpose within its existing property? |
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| 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?” |
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| The outsize economic impact of rural churches on their communities calls for a renewed vision of their importance, according to a two-year study in North Carolina. |
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| 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 |
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| 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?”
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Q&A with Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows |
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A consultant once said to me that he refers to church buildings as “facilities.” A building is a static structure that exists to be maintained. Facilities, he said, facilitate. Once again, words matter. To facilitate is to assist, enable or help. Church facilities should do more than just occupy space on the ground. Sanctuaries assist congregations in carrying out a thriving mission to the glory of God. Classrooms enable churches to gather people around the Scriptures to learn and grow as students of the word. Offices help dedicated staff plan life-transforming programs and provide space to do the work of discerning God’s vision for the congregation. When we think of buildings as facilities, perhaps we will begin to reflect more deeply on how we can repurpose our sacred spaces. I’m reminded of the parable of the talents in Matthew 25. I trust that most readers know the story, so I’ll end with a simple question: In what ways can we reimagine how we use the facilities that have been entrusted to our care?
You can always reach me and the Alban Weekly team at [email protected]. Until next week, keep leading! |
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| Editor Alban at Duke Divinity School |
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