Podcast Episode #324

Construction debt can be debilitating for churches, but there can be a way out. Today we discuss the unintended consequences of building too big and how to overcome them.

Some highlights from today's episode include:

• If you build too big of a church facility, these things may happen.
• Don’t let unneeded building debt replace needed ministry funding.
• Unwieldy debt can get a church off message. They start thinking about surviving instead of thriving.
• It’s likely that less than 1% of churches have done a facility usage study in the past five years.
• There’s a perception that if you build a new church facility, people will come. That is simply not the case.
• People are more attracted to a church because of relationships and ministry, not facilities.
• Dealing with “the good ole days” is one of the most challenging thing any leader will face.

The eight consequences of building too big are:

• Debt becomes shackles.
• Morale is hit hard.
• Leaders spend too much time with a new narrative.
• Utility costs are too high and burdensome.
• They built it, but they didn’t come.
• The church becomes dangerously nostalgic.
• There are fewer financial resources for ministry.
• The church has difficulty finding good successor pastors.

Episode Sponsors
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Feedback
If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here on Church Answers.

Resources Mentioned in Today's Podcast

• The Importance of Church Facility Stewardship featuring Tim Cool – Rainer on Leadership #317
• CoolSolutionsGroup.com
• Envelope3.com
• The Money Challenge
• When Not to Build
• Church Answers