Getting a new church building is an exciting time for a church. It means your ministry is growing, and you need more room to operate and live into the vision God has given you.
However, the way you go about moving into a new building is an important step. One of the most common mistakes ministries make is taking a “whatever we can get” approach to the new building process. If someone offers them a free building, they can’t pass up the opportunity — even if it’s the wrong size, has an awkward layout, or is in a bad location.
At Ministry Solutions Group, we have seen this approach fail as often as it has succeeded. It can cubbyhole your church and paint your ministry into a corner.
Here are some questions to keep in mind when looking for a new building so you can keep your real estate search on the straight and narrow.
This is the million-dollar question (and if you don’t take it seriously, it can lead to millions of dollars in expenses). On the surface, the question can sound simplistic. You obviously need a new building because you’re too big for your current building, right? Be careful of answering a simple question with an overly-simplistic answer, though.
Simply needing a “bigger building” is an open-ended and vague concept. What are the specific reasons you’re looking to expand? Is your junior church program overflowing? Are you maxing out three services with standing room only in your sanctuary? Is your parking lot a madhouse after every service?
Make sure you have a clear idea of what you need from a new building before you start looking for one.
As you go over the reasons you need a new building, consider another perspective for your church real estate strategy. What are the non-negotiable things that your ministry needs in a building moving forward?
This could be something you already have in your current building and don’t want to lose. It can also be something you can’t accommodate at the moment and absolutely must be able to in the future.
It’s a good idea to revisit your mission statement, vision, and goals as a ministry. This can help you gain that long-term vision and clarity as an organization. Don’t skimp here. Non-negotiables are a key element of maintaining what’s working and investing in the right areas as you grow.
Geography is an interesting element of the church real estate process at the moment. We live in a digital engagement age, and online church has become a key factor in overall church success.
That said, digital transformation is only one element of a healthy church. Now that we’re a few years out from social distancing and quarantines, many ministries are thriving in person again. If you’re looking for a new building, chances are you’re in that camp as well.
The challenge, then, is balancing your online and in-person efforts. This is where geography is important. Where is your core in-person attendance coming from? You don’t want to put pressure on their collective commute by migrating too far when you shift buildings.
At the same time, make sure that your digital ministry won’t suffer as you consider the physical location of your church. The key point here: Don’t lose sight of your in-person and online attendees while making accommodations for future churchgoers.
This last question may not apply to you if you’re going from an existing permanent building into a bigger one. However, there are many churches that operate in a permanent structure for months and even years before settling down in an owned or rented building.
Understanding when to shift from portable to permanent takes time, research, and patience. Many church leaders see a portable church as some kind of a prelude to becoming a “real church” with a permanent home base.
Don’t fall into that trap. There are many ministries across America that are thriving in portable venues. If you’re looking for a building as part of a shift toward a permanent setup, that’s perfectly fine. Just make sure you’re doing this without rushing.
Along with the previous questions, ask yourself if you have the support structure in place to manage an owned or rented facility. Don’t let your ambition to buy or rent a steady structure convince you to put the cart before the horse. Pray, consider your church’s priorities, and make sure it is the right time before committing to a building this, well, permanent.
We live in an era where churches are closing by the thousands. Many of these buildings are bought and gifted to other ministries. Commercial property, in general, has also been in lower demand, which opens up more opportunities for churches looking for land and buildings.
While the potential is there, when a property crosses your path, your church’s leadership has to face the question: do we go with what’s in front of us or wait? It’s often tempting to take what you can get — but we would challenge you not to go that route.
Don’t accept a building, and then make your ministry work with it. Always consider your ministry first and then look for a building that fits its vision and mission. That is the way to long-term church success.