Podcast Episode #538
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Almost every church has some kind of facility issue. From being too big or not big enough, facilities rarely match the pace of a church’s growth or decline. Today, we discuss these facility changes and the needs found in many churches across America.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
- You can only lead effectively in the direction in which people are willing to follow.
- Deferred maintenance always costs you more than if you stayed on top of the needs when they arise.
- If your church facility is extremely underused, consider partnering with a church plant or like-minded ministry. Many of them need space, and some churches have a great amount of unused space.
- Be creative in how and who uses your church facility during the week. Use your facility to minister to the community when possible.
The seven points we discuss are:
- First problem: deferred maintenance
- Second problem: wrong-size worship centers
- Third problem: low occupancy
- Some churches are merging with churches without facilities
- Relaunching may grow
- The need for diagnosis
- The future of partnerships with businesses
Resources mentioned in today’s podcast
Rainer on Leadership is a member of the LifeWay Leadership Podcast Network
Episode Sponsors
Vanderbloemen has been serving churches for nine years, but did you know that Vanderbloemen also serves Christian schools, nonprofits, and Christian businesses? So if you’re listening, and you know a Christian school, nonprofit, or values-based business that is hiring, contact our friends at Vanderbloemen for your staffing needs.
For more information, visit Vanderbloemen.com.
Today’s episode is sponsored by Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Be sure to check out Midwestern’s Doctorate of Ministry Degree. The D.Min. is an advanced degree preparing students for leadership in local churches and denominational service. It is also fully attainable in hybrid format which means you don’t have to move to pursue the degree.
Find out more at mbts.edu/dmin.
Feedback
If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here at ThomRainer.com. If we use your question, you’ll receive a free copy of Scrappy Church.
In 1970, we belonged to a mid-sized evangelical fundamental Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis. We really enjoyed it there, and in July we went on a witnessing crusade to Haiti.
Our final Sunday in Haiti, we attended to a Brush Arbor Church (a “tonel”) on a plateau called Massabeuil. We sat on log benches and took communion from a coke bottle of juice and it was a WONDERFUL! Experience.
The first Sunday back the Presbyterian Preacher apologized that the air conditioner was not keeping the sanctuary as cool as some might prefer. Peg and I just looked at each other, speechless. We wished we’d been back on that plateau.
With no (man-made) A/C at all.
Churches are very ineffective organizations when it comes to management of resources. Thousands of buildings in less than average condition, under utilized, etc. Not enough revenue to pay for what they have. This in turn causes them to mismanage the pew sitters funds. So much money that is wasted when it could be used to do good. All this is because the silly idiosyncrasies between people/denominations. Pride, independence, when Christ calls us to be united in love. This is why I choose to give to organizations that manage their money well (per Charity Navigator): Doctors without Borders, Direct Relief, etc. Dollars go much further…too bad Christians are not smarter. I guess it is easier to waste other peoples monies. So sad.