Can we discuss that shiny building project your leadership team keeps discussing during board meetings? I’m not saying it’s wrong, but maybe—just maybe—we need to pump the brakes and ask some bigger questions.
Look, I get it. There’s something powerful about having your own space. A place where the worship team doesn’t have to set up and tear down every Sunday. Where the kids’ ministry supplies don’t live in someone’s garage. Where you can point and say, “That’s our church!”
But here’s the deal: that building might be costing your ministry more than you realize. And I’m not just talking about the mortgage.
The Hidden Costs of Facility-Centric Ministry
Let’s get real about numbers for a second. The average church building sits empty around 80% of the time. That’s like buying a car and only driving it one day a week. Seems kinda crazy when you think about it, right?
Beyond the obvious construction costs, there’s a whole iceberg of expenses lurking beneath the surface:
- Ongoing maintenance. That HVAC system that keeps everyone comfortable? It’ll need replacing. The roof will leak eventually. The carpet will wear out. And have you seen utility bills lately?
- Staff reallocation. Suddenly you need facilities people, maintenance crews, and security teams. That’s money that could go toward mission, outreach, or helping people in your community who are struggling.
- The opportunity cost. Every dollar spent on a building is a dollar not spent on people. Let that sink in for a minute.
One pastor friend told me recently, “If I could do it all over again, I would have delayed building for at least five more years. That mortgage payment feels like a ball and chain around our ministry vision.”
When Buildings Undermine Your Mission
Here’s something that keeps me up at night: buildings can subtly shift our focus from people to property.
You know what Jesus never said? “Go therefore and construct impressive structures with ample parking.” The Great Commission is about making disciples, not making mortgage payments.
I’ve seen it happen too many times:
- Churches that were once nimble and responsive to community needs become preoccupied with filling and maintaining their buildings.
- Congregations that used to be out in the community retreat inside their walls, creating a “come to us” mentality instead of a “go to them” approach.
- Ministry decisions start revolving around, “But what about the building?” instead of “What about the mission?”
A building should be a tool for ministry, not the focus of ministry. But let’s be honest—once you’ve invested millions in a facility, it’s really hard not to make it central to everything you do.
Rethinking Church Space for Greater Kingdom Impact
So what’s the alternative? I’m not suggesting we all meet in catacombs or ditch gathering altogether (though the early church did pretty well without buildings for a few hundred years!).
Instead, what if we got creative about space?
- Share facilities. Partner with other churches or community organizations. What if three churches shared one building instead of maintaining three separate facilities? I know a church in Denver that meets in a high school auditorium on Sundays, and they’re using the money they save to fund a massive food pantry operation.
- Embrace digital. The pandemic taught us that while gathering matters, we can connect in meaningful ways without everyone being in the same physical space all the time. What could a hybrid approach look like for your church?
- Think modular and flexible. If you do build, consider multi-purpose spaces that can transform quickly and serve the community throughout the week.
- Rent strategically. One church I know rents space in a movie theater on Sundays, a community center for midweek programs, and office space for staff. Their total monthly facility costs are about 1/3 of what a mortgage would be.
- Go where people already are. Coffee shops. Parks. Homes. Community centers. What if church happened where life happens instead of asking people to come to a special building?
A pastor in Atlanta told me, “We decided to invest in people instead of property. Ten years later, we’ve planted six churches and funded two clean water projects in Africa with money that would have gone to a building fund.”
Buildings Don’t Make Ministry Happen, People Do
Listen, if God is clearly leading your church to build, then build! But make sure it’s God leading and not just momentum, expectations, or the desire to “look like a real church.”
The question isn’t whether buildings are good or bad. The question is: what’s the most strategic use of the resources God has entrusted to your church right now?
Maybe for your congregation, a building is the right next step. But maybe—just maybe—your greatest ministry impact will come when you decide to invest differently.
What could your church do with an extra $20,000 a month that’s not going toward a mortgage? How many lives could be changed? How many needs could be met? How much more ministry could happen?
That’s a question worth asking before you break ground.
About the author
Jeff Hoglen, D.Min.
Jeff Hoglen, D.Min., leads ChurchPlanting.com and is the author of Church Planting Done Different. He helps equip pastors and church planters with practical resources for healthy leadership, sustainable churches, and multiplication.
