Reframing Your Ministry: 3 Ways to Leave a Church Legacy
Death and taxes. They say those are the only unavoidable things in life. There’s some truth to that, but not only for people. It’s also true for organizations like churches. It’s a harsh reality to face. But it’s becoming increasingly common in America. Lifeway reports that up to 10,000 churches close their doors every year. No one wants to be entrusted with shutting off the lights for the last time. So many memories are embedded in between the walls of a church building—weddings, baptisms, laughter, prayer, worship, grieving, and more. Every church, though, has a lifespan. It has a birthday, [...]
Designing Children’s Ministry Spaces: 4 Priorities to Help Your Church Flourish
Children aren’t the future of the church. They ARE the church. Children of every age are a meaningful part of every church. Didn’t Jesus say He wants the little children to come to Him? Prioritizing children is a privilege for the church. Children and families should receive consideration in plans, budgets, and building space. When designing children's ministry spaces, you must balance multiple priorities. From caring for individual children to integrating safety policies for volunteers to crafting functional spaces – you’ve got your work cut out for you! Designing children's ministry spaces is not a solitary task. It's a collaborative [...]
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 [...]
