Getting a building

Many declining or dying churches are partnering with church plants. Converge church planting leaders Lee Stephenson and Danny Parmelee discuss what to do when a church wants to give or sell their building to you.

1:05 Danny says in Converge MidAmerica three churches have chosen to do a restart with a church plant or to gift their building. He’s seen this happen with the launch team he is on.

1:25 Lee discusses three scenarios when it comes to existing churches allowing church plants to use or have their building.

2:39 Danny says sometimes churches give up their building with no strings attached, while others opt for a restart where they give up all control. Either way, the big thing is that there is clarity of expectation for everyone involved.

4:03 Lee says it’s crucial to have things in writing and to get lawyers involved if necessary.

4:28 Danny says it’s essential to follow the existing church’s constitution and bylaws so that the gift can’t be contested in the future.

6:12 Danny talks about how the church plant he’s a part of was given a building. It came about because the church planter built a relationship with the church.

7:42 Danny says at first he was skeptical of the pastor’s motives for giving away the building. The pastor is part of the church plant launch team, serving in the parking lot.

8:13 Danny says a downside is that most older church facilities were not built for community and kids. His church plant invested about $150,000 in renovations, and over half that amount was for the kids’ space. 

9:07 Danny says another drawback is that the church is a smaller facility, which required them to launch with three services.

10:40 Danny talks about three things to consider if you have the opportunity to be given a building.

12:48 Lee’s last piece of advice is to pay attention to the location and the past. How have people in that community viewed that location and that church? Do you have the ability to change, or are you going to be absorbed by whatever the past reputation was of the previous church?