Senior Housing: Creating a Bright Future in Response to Urgent Needs
“Frodo: I wish the Ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened. Gandalf: So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." J.R. Tolkien’s famous words in The Lord of the Rings may resonate with you if you manage a senior living facility. Times are tough, demand is up, a “Silver Tsunami” is on the way, and the workforce is dwindling. The one-two combination of inflation and interest rates can [...]
Key Questions and Essential Spaces for Church Design
Could you imagine going to church in a gym? Some churches wouldn’t have it any other way, and others would absolutely go to church in a gym—but only if it was strategically renovated. Everyday Church purchased an old LA Fitness building to renovate. Soon, the church will transform the old gym into a place of worship and ministry for the community. When the renovations are complete, no one will accidentally show up to the building for a workout. On the other side of the country, though, people show up to a church building for their workout. As Is Church renovated [...]
6 Key Priorities for a Successful Church Construction Process
Your church building matters to God. It can be a sacred space that cultivates community, inspires worship, and tangibly demonstrates love to your neighbors. Church building projects are defining moments in the life of a church. They require an enormous investment of time, energy, and finances. New church construction will set the trajectory for the future of your congregation. Just like you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression, you don’t get a second chance to work through a church construction project. If you’re considering taking on a church building project, you likely have many questions. Where [...]
Ready for 2024? Top Giving Trends in Christian Churches
Are you worried about your church’s financial outlook in 2024? We know how hard it can be just to fund a church’s monthly budget. Regular church attendance has been down since the pandemic started, and leaders often do not know if their monthly commitments will be covered in any given month, let alone decide if fundraising for a building campaign is a good idea. If we’re being honest here, we know the angel Gabriel isn’t going to descend in a cloud of glory and give you the church’s financial rundown for 2024, but we have the next best thing—data. Would [...]
5 Inspiring Church Design Trends For 2024
“Well, looks like we’re back in style!” Pastor Joel laughed as he looked at his 75-year-old church building in the middle of a quaint neighborhood. Huge, cathedral-like windows adorned the northern wall. A wide-open sanctuary with a highly vaulted ceiling welcomed worshippers and provided space for remote workers. Some repairs were needed, but the congregation didn’t have the budget for full-scale renovations in their church building. The previous generation couldn’t afford to hire a church construction company. “Turns out, if you just wait long enough, your outdated building might become fashionable again!” Joel isn’t passive or lazy. He understands that [...]
Cultivating Generosity: A Look at the 5 Types of Givers in the Church
Financially generous and sacrificial people can impact the world in significant ways. Church construction projects that bless communities require financial backing. If you have a God-sized vision for your church – and your community – you will need to know how to encourage the entire congregation to take the next step in their giving journey. Some pastors shy away from discussing money. This is understandable. You don’t want people to think the church only cares about money, and you don’t want to be greedy. However, you’ll have difficulty teaching people to follow Jesus without discussing money. Church thought leader Carey [...]
4 Key Phases of a Capital Campaign Plan
The stakes are high with a capital campaign. You put your heart on the line, asking people to follow and sacrificially commit to the vision for the future. This is no small ask. If people get on board, they invest. Financially. Emotionally. Spiritually. And more. When done well, a capital campaign can bolster people’s faith, enhance their generosity, and establish a brighter future for the church. If a capital campaign is not done well, you may fail to achieve your goals, and people can feel let down, or misled by the leaders they trust. How can you lead a successful [...]
6 Steps to Maximize the Impact of Your Church Construction Process
Do you know how long it takes to become an expert in a given field? Most researchers suggest you must invest no less than 10,000 hours of intentional practice to become an expert. For those leading their church through a church construction process, no one will blame you for not being an expert! But they might blame you for trying to be. You don’t have to make your own mistakes. You can benefit from what others have already learned the hard way. If you’re considering taking on a church building project, your first decisions will determine the difficulty of your [...]
Three Ways Capital Campaigns for Churches Can Maximize Your Impact
“Money is the root of all evil.” How many times have you heard people misquote this Bible verse? Money is not evil, nor is it the root of all evil. Currency, in one form or another, is part of life’s equation. Whether you trade time, talent, or treasure – everyone needs to purchase something from someone else at some point. Money is not evil. “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” Engaging in capital campaigns for churches can significantly bless your ministry and community. Not to take - but to empower people to give. Avoiding [...]
Church Debt and Your Congregation: Stepping into an Inspiring Future
Something changed in the American psyche after 2008. Not unlike what happened to the generation who survived The Great Depression. In the wake of 2008’s housing market crash, many people understandably became debt averse. Helpful leaders in the financial sector coined catchy phrases and practices to guide people out of and away from debt. Dave Ramsey says, “Debt is dumb, cash is king, and the paid-off home mortgage has taken the place of the BMW as the status symbol of choice.” To help exert self-control, some people even put their credit cards in the freezer. Symbolically, they “freeze” their excess [...]
