Podcast Episode #205
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A look at how churches can better steward their facilities and how to deal with opposition to facility usage.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
- College football stadiums are possibly the only large facilities used less often than most church worship centers.
- Ministry is about using resources to reach people for Christ. It’s not about hoarding resources.
- If your church lets outside groups use its facility, a clear rental policy needs to be in place.
- We’ve been doing the same things for so long that we rarely stop and ask “is this the best use of our space?”
- A facility usage audit is often critical to growing your small groups on campus.
- The type of seating you place in your worship center determines what else can be done in that room.
- Stage size is something to consider when making any changes to seating or design of a worship center.
- Church facilities are one of the largest expenses in a church budget. We should steward those expenses well.
The eight ways your church can use your church facilities more effectively are:
- Determine your philosophy of sacred space
- Partner with other organizations
- Create a church within a church
- Have a clear rental policy
- Do a facility audit (including space audit)
- Think creatively about space
- Think wisely when purchasing new fixtures and seating.
- Check your insurance policy for any specific exclusions
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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 at ThomRainer.com. If we use your question, you’ll receive a free copy of I Will.
QUESTION: Do you have a copy of the “Facility Audit” form that I could use. This is right where we are at now. THANK YOU!!
Yes. Subscribe on the blog. You will get it free.
There may be something wrong with the blog subscription form. I’ve attempted to subscribe with 2 email addresses and get this message: “Thanks for subscribing! Please check your email for further instructions.”
However, I never get anything via email. I’ve waited about 3 hours to see if anything comes.
Thanks!
Thanks for the offer of the audit. I’m having the same problem as Michael Staublin. Something’s not working.
I subscribed and have not seen a copy of facility audit. Could you direct me to where I would find it?
Thanks,
Andy
Is it wise to try new ministries during the week to reach a dying church. Getting people involved or community involvement. We are willing to try anything to help our church body.
I think our church has the opposite problem. Our activity center is constantly rented out to other organizations. It’s difficult to actually use the activity center for church related functions unless lined up way ahead of time.
Can you suggest where we might find an example of a well written rental policy?
Our church rented out its basement classrooms to a homeschooling group one day a week for a couple of years (a group which included a handful of the church’s members). Unfortunately, the church secretary didn’t believe in homeschooling, and treated the participants accordingly. It stressed out the homeschool leadership, which felt the group had to be on pins and needles all the time, and certainly didn’t leave any of the non church member homeschoolers feeling like our church would be a good place to bring their families. All that to say, make sure not only the leadership, but those church members who have to work with any “outside” groups, can be positive toward them and their purpose, or bad vibes can develop and grow.
So, for years I’ve been told and read up on “renting” the church facility and how that might trigger some taxes and/or jeopardize our non-profit status as well as our property tax exemption. Can you tell me in what circumstances you are referring to when “renting” out the facility/church buildings?
Thank you in advance.
Great point. I think you have to consider limiting your usage only to church sponsored organizations and groups. Otherwise, if you open to one outside group then you have to open it to all…including those who do not share your churches values or even are antagonistic to the churches goals.
I would likek to get the facility audit the is mentioned in the book “Who Moved the Pulpit” I can not seem to find it on the web site.
Wondering if you could help me out…I’m still not able to get the free facility audit (after two attempts to subscribe to the blog). Looks like others had this same issue about 4 months ago.
Thanks!
I am reading your book Who Moved My Pulpit and it refers to going online and getting a free space audit questionnaire. I am not locating it. Can you tell me where to locate it or if it still available?
Janet
You can get that here: http://revitalizedchurches.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/churchfacilityaudit.pdf
I subscribed to the blog with two separate emails but haven’t received an email or the free facility audit. I would love to receive that – let me know how.
I am sorry, Melinda. The software problem is on our end. We will get you the audit