Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Jan/85

Contributor - Murray Moerman

Title - Locating For Growth

Topic - Church Growth

Recently a pastor of a new church asked me, "when should we start thinking about property on which to build?" My answer was "Immediately" and the question of where that property should be is an important one.

It is, of course, possible for a church to continue long term without property or buildings, but rarely does a church in those circumstances grow much beyond a hundred or so persons.

A growing church needs room to grow. Just as when you plant trees you must project far into the future for proper spacing, so must you in choosing church property project by faith into the future, planning room for healthy church growth for years to come.

Let's look at some of the issues:

Vision- How large does your church leadership have vision to believe that you, church will grow? If your vision can be stretched only to two or three hundred people as you look twenty or fifty years down the road, an acre of land will be adequate. If you dare believe God for more you will be looking for more property. As early as possible, and if necessary, you can later subdivide and sell part of it. One Christian Reformed congregation in our city did that and was able to move into their new $500,000 building debt free.

Starting Out- Start in your city's planning department office rather than in a real estate office. Your city planners will tell you which areas are already zoned for church use and for which purpose they would consider re-zoning applications.

If you don't know your community extremely well, drive around with someone who does. Do lots of driving before you stop in at your local real estate office.

Ask around in your congregation and circle of friends. Some may already own property suitable and be open to a reduced price or reasonable rates.

If and when you do get a real estate office, don't get talked into anything. Most real estate agents have given little thought to the unique needs of a church. Don't hurry. Be fussy.

Location

a) Freeway access.- If you live in a city served by a freeway, your first priority is to be located as near as possible to the freeway off ramp. if you are served by another kind of major highway, try to locate as near to that highway and as near to a major intersection of that highway as possible.

b) Visibility.- If you can't locate on your city's major thoroughfare, locate in a place where you can be seen from that main thoroughfare, ramp or intersection. Visibility is important. If you have a choice of elevations, choose the property with the higher elevation if at all possible.

c) Projected Growth Areas.- This one can be tricky but can get you more economical property if you aye able to locate in the path of projected growth. Ask your planning department where they anticipate growth will take place and purchase property on a main road there. The danger of course is that the anticipated growth will not materialize as soon as expected, but a calculated risk is often well advised.

d) Cost.-The cost of any property will seem too much for a small church but as a rule of thumb get as much as you can afford and have the vision for. Property will become a. focus for congregational giving and denominational resources are available. Having a specific piece of property in mind is important before approaching these bodies so don't be afraid to start looking concretely now.

There are eight R.C.A. congregations in Canada that are presently without land and some others who have considered relocation at one or more times in the past.

For those considering re-location the same principles apply. However, do not give up on the community in which you are located too quickly. Much can be done from where you are. Every community needs an assertive gospel witness. Recently a Salvation Army Mission moved to the suburbs, selling their downtown facility to a Hindu sect. If you must relocate, make sure it is only because you aye growing too quickly to be supported by your present facility. Then when you move, leave a part of your congregation there to continue your ministry to that part of your community. if that is absolutely impossible, sell your property only to another evangelical church so that they may continue your ministry there. Relocation must be valuable both to your local congregation and to the entire cause of the Kingdom.

Choose the property where you wish to be planted carefully, then grow there diligently.

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