When to vacate a building?

Mainly, I offer my prayers. There are many, many folks much wiser than I regarding these issues.

One thought: I don't know what "flavor" of baptist you are (SBC, IFB, other)...just thinking: are there any contacts (for instance, if you're SBC, an association) who could offer a sister church some help?

Maybe a church could come do some mission work for you...that happens in SBC circles all the time. There's a fantastic group, not specifically SBC (I don't think) called "Carpenters for Christ." THey are men that go off during the summer and build/rebuild/repair churches. Maybe they're worth looking up.

 

I wish I had some advice, but I don't.. But I too will pray for God's guidance.
rbell had a good suggestion about a sister church helping.

There may be some older and wiser pastors on here that have been there, done that, that will chime in and give you guidance.

I will be in prayer though.

 

One group was mentioned, there is also hard hats for Christ that is mission based and they do the work and guide volunteers if you pick up the materials.

They might also be able to give you some idea on your question of sell or repair.

Don't know how you feel about it, but there are funds for historical buildings as well if it qualifies and it sounds like it might be old enough for that. The county or city might have some ideas for you as to where to look.

Many churches have hired one qualified man to direct volunteers. If folks would commit themselves a lot could be done.

A new place certainly won't be cheaper!

forgot: 610 N First Ave., Kelso, WA for hard hats and they may have a website.

 

Rough spot to be in.

As rbell said, though... seek out any association help you can, even if you are not in the association. In my area, the local association heads up a project called Ocoee Outreach (Ocoee is one of the main streets of downtown, as well as a local whitewater rafting river). OO brings in teams of teens and volunteers over the summer to do repairs and renovations to homes of the poor... lots of them here, as a part of my county actually ranks among the poorest in the nation.

Many churches in my area also send teams to other places to do work. Many of these teams have professionals in them; electricians, carpenters, plumbers.

Here's a link to the contact info for my local association: http://tinyurl.com/yrsh2p

Give them a ring and ask to speak to Randy Bonner. Tell him that I gave you his number (Lamar Trotter), and ask him about any churches who may be sending teams out. If nothing else he can give you the numbers of the people you would need to reach, or will pass along the info to them.

 

Dont know if this will work for you or not, but certainly has for my church.

1st. Take a skills inventory. Who in the congregation can do what needs to be done. If they can and will, then materials will be certainly cheaper than a whole series of contractors. Basic carpentry isn't rocket science, and sounds like a good bit of it is the basics. Repairs walls, painting, etc. is labor intensive, and if you have folks in the congregation who have/are willing to try, should save a pile of money.

What specifically is wrong with the foundation? Cracks, settling subsoils? Even that might be doable with the right professional guidance. See if you can find a qualified soils engineer who will give you (at least consult on the cheap) the solution. Perhaps it can't be done by your congregation, but then again....

You dont say what size the congregation is other than "small." We have a church of 15 members, who recently completely renovated the meeting house and built a fellowship hall, without going into debt. Members of the church did a majority of the work.

 

Have you thought about sharing a facility with another church? Maybe you could do an after-lunch SS and worship service (just a 'fer instance'). If you guys have your heads on straight (and you seem to), and you link up with a sister church that has their heads on straight...for a year or two you guys could really save up and come up with a good plan that is well-thought out...and isn't tainted by the pressures of "right now."

 

A few churches in my area use school gymnasiums or cafeterias as thier meeting place. Most of them are new churches that have gotten too big to meet in a house, but haven't saved enough for a building. At least one is using one of the middle schools while they build a new bigger church (they sold their old one, but zoning held up construction). One church meets in the YMCA.

 

rbell is on target on this one!!! Many associations now are gearing their men up for exactly that-----repair/construction teams---you can find them just about anywhere now. They'll come in---asess the work needing done---then scedule times they can come in and work----you supply the materials, naturally.

Whatever state you live in---if you are an SBCer---contact your state baptist building---tell them what you need---and they'll send out the right person.

 

Well, I can tell you that you have been given some good advice, without specifics on your particular situation.

You can choose to sell or repair.

If you sell, you have to meet somewhere. What are those options? How much will it cost?

Locally, the Methodist church and the JW's were helped by their sister churches over the last couple of years. The Kingdom Hall was erected by a hugh team from all over the country, and except for the foundation was completed, including carpeting and pictures on the walls in 24 hours.

All I can offer is my hammer and my saw if I make it to Texas as planned this Summer, but what little I can offer is available. I'm also free to preach and/or teach a Bible study seminar using the computer as a tool.

The church that I come from has all the maintenance and repairs done by those in the assembly whenever possible. Interestingly, those in the community pitch in with those we cannot do, often being done by atheists who think we are a good influence on the community. (Small church also with about 25 member in the Winter, double that in the Summer.)

BTW, if you're interested, I can send you a CD with a couple hundred messages from another Community Baptist Church in Tennessee.

Oh, one thing that I would not do: You mentioned the possibility of accepting debt that you cannot pay. Don't do that! In my opinion, if you do that intentionally, that is theft. If you overextend yourself innocently (unforseen circumstances), I think it's regrettable, but not theft, but intentionally? Poor witness.

 

Some thoughts, if you can handle these options.

1. Sell.

2. Lease/rent space to other small language churches. Share the joy!

3. Lease space to a day care if appropriate.

4. Connect with your association and become a sattelite for church planting or an outreach center.

5. ????

 

Yes, I have heard of a growing number of churches here in the UK who meet in hired premises (Community Centres, schools, village halls, and the like). Many of those, including my own church, have never had their own building, but I expect some will have discovered the advantages of hiring a hall, and decided to sell their buildings. The advantages are not only financial. Meeting in a hired building can provide a good way of explaining what a church really is - not an edifice of bricks and mortar, but a group of people, sinners saved by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

And to the original poster J Shurley, you are not failing God's people just because the building in which you meet is in a bad state. You would be failing them if you forgot or neglected those words you have as part of your signature, "Building Disciples that Build Community." Whether you end up meeting in a hired room, or whether the Lord enables you as a church to repair your present building or purchase another, remember those encourageing words by our Lord about building and church in Matthew 16.18:

I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.​

Take heart from words such as those found at the end of Romans 8, in verses 31 to (or "through" as you say in the States 39.

Oh! May God answer your prayers, give you and your church help and guidance!

 

Brother, we are all praying with you. Perhaps, the Lord knew you are the man to build His church there. Maybe He placed you there to get the congregation back on track.

Perhaps, like suggested, some of the minor repairs could be done by members and neighbors. Our church has grown because I got to spend time helping neighbors help the church with maintenance issue.

Try to get the things which are more cosmetic done in the least expensive manner. Talk to the other pastors in the area, you may be surprised to find they could use some voulenteer labor too. Get the churches to work together and help each other help each other.

Again, we will be praying with you as you serve Him in the easy times and the difficult times.