The Future of Church Facilities
[Paul J. Scharf] Wow! Talk about rabbit trails — we’re going “over the river and through the woods” of theological and cultural verities and preferences.
Whatever happened to answers for poor Diane and her small-town church…? :>)
Any more thoughts on brick and mortar issues…or even click and mortar?
Awww…you are so nice. :)
I have not had a chance to come back to this until now. My apologies. I will share the above resources with my pastor…he is not much of a blogger, but is a member of SI. Perhaps I can persuade him to jump in here.
To answer your questions, ours is one of those warehouses with a cross on the front (there’s a reason, as web”master”, that I chose to put an indoor photo instead of an exterior one on our website). Our pastor had a missionary builder use some gizmo and the man said the back of the building has settled 4.5” lower than the front, and there are visible signs of the cement foundation crumbling. There are other costly and needed repairs like replacing all the windows. The auditorium is more than sufficient for our current group of folks, strictly speaking, but we are now beginning to spend a considerable amount of money on repairs. Some years ago they had drawings done up to add a church-y facade with a steeple; but it is looking like we are beyond that stage now.
And, Bro Paul, I too came from a Lutheran background, complete with huge stone edifice and ginormic pipe organ. If only there was life inside…a disappointing usage of a gorgeous piece of architectural history. :(
"I pray to God this day to make me an extraordinary Christian." --Whitefield http://strengthfortoday.wordpress.com
Diane,
Your building situation does sound like a tough one.
The first church I pastored had some of the same challenges. They (still) have a a stone building with stain glass windows which has needed many tens of thousands of dollars worth of tuckpointing for many years. If you spent vast sums of dollars it could be a wonderful historic showpiece of a building — but it is not handicap accessible, is in a horrible location, has no parking and only holds about 100 people at max.
You said you are a small church in a small town. This might be too radical of a suggestion — but is there another small or struggling congregation in your area which you could possibly look into merging with? Before I would just go the route of “breaking ground,” I would exhaust every such creative possibility.
A great ministry resource where you might find more ideas is Rural Home Missionary Association: http://www.rhma.org/
Your building situation does sound like a tough one.
The first church I pastored had some of the same challenges. They (still) have a a stone building with stain glass windows which has needed many tens of thousands of dollars worth of tuckpointing for many years. If you spent vast sums of dollars it could be a wonderful historic showpiece of a building — but it is not handicap accessible, is in a horrible location, has no parking and only holds about 100 people at max.
You said you are a small church in a small town. This might be too radical of a suggestion — but is there another small or struggling congregation in your area which you could possibly look into merging with? Before I would just go the route of “breaking ground,” I would exhaust every such creative possibility.
A great ministry resource where you might find more ideas is Rural Home Missionary Association: http://www.rhma.org/
Church Ministries Representative, serving in the Midwest, for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry
I, too, like the old more ornate church edifices. I know it’s just a building, but sitting in one of them seems to put me in a more worshipful mood…
[Barry L.] You can get this…You could have the world’s largest Awana circle :)
http://www.kimt.com/business/story/Pontiac-gets-high-bid-of-583-000-for…
Thanks for the practical suggestions, Bro Paul. Our pastor is currently in Denver with a young couple from our church—their baby has open heart surgery this morning and I’m certain they’d appreciate prayer—I’m sure he’ll consider this conversation upon his return.
@Bro Barry: I think that’d be kinda tricky to transport by flatbed…those mountain passes, ya know. :)
@Bro Barry: I think that’d be kinda tricky to transport by flatbed…those mountain passes, ya know. :)
"I pray to God this day to make me an extraordinary Christian." --Whitefield http://strengthfortoday.wordpress.com
In this economy there are good deals in buying existing church properties. Most churches that are up for sale usually do not have a for sale sign in front for obvious reasons. There maybe some available near you and you don’t even know it. Check this link http://www.loopnet.com/Churches-For-Sale/ and then click on your state listed on the right column to see of church buildings available in your area.
Rabbit trails is an understatement - we’re talking about big game wondering across the plains of Africa with these strings. I have to say - this is why I do not blog - too much off the subject and the grass get’s so thick you cannot even see the forest any more. I know I’ll hear from you about that - be mindful - I wont read anything that does not have to do with Diane’s original question or those I posit below.
We have no intention of borrowing money. No prob with that one. However, we know that some things need to be done regardless of what we want.
Barry L. - I’m a Lion’s fan. Why I don’t know. Call it loyalty.
Our building is in a great location on 6.2 acres. The building’s structural failure is the problem. It has wonderful wood paneled and aged wood looks on the inside, but as Diane pointed out many things are failing. We priced out all new windows (breezy things they are now) at over $17K. Cannot put new roof on - structure unable to hold it accd to structural engineer. Outside is corrugated metal look with six inch undulations. As far as small struggling congregations to join, none that we know of. Nope - we’re on our own. We’re growing, but we’re definitely on our own.
Akin to Paul collecting funds for churches, I considered solicitation. I do not want to sound cheesy, but it may be our only way right now. Thoughts? How about fund drives locally? Other ideas?
Thanks :)
We have no intention of borrowing money. No prob with that one. However, we know that some things need to be done regardless of what we want.
Barry L. - I’m a Lion’s fan. Why I don’t know. Call it loyalty.
Our building is in a great location on 6.2 acres. The building’s structural failure is the problem. It has wonderful wood paneled and aged wood looks on the inside, but as Diane pointed out many things are failing. We priced out all new windows (breezy things they are now) at over $17K. Cannot put new roof on - structure unable to hold it accd to structural engineer. Outside is corrugated metal look with six inch undulations. As far as small struggling congregations to join, none that we know of. Nope - we’re on our own. We’re growing, but we’re definitely on our own.
Akin to Paul collecting funds for churches, I considered solicitation. I do not want to sound cheesy, but it may be our only way right now. Thoughts? How about fund drives locally? Other ideas?
Thanks :)
Discussion