There are tons of reasons to be excited about the prospect of a building. I’ve written about those. But of equal importance, I think, are the warnings that every church should heed about the possibility of transitioning into building ownership. As with any big venture, the local church has the ability to experience vision drift- to allow herself to be carried away from her mission and vision by having her eye caught by something shiny (like a building). My pastoral mentor in the Des Moines area led his church plant through a building project some 15 years ago, and he had some warnings for us. I’ve included some of his helpful tips right here for us to think about:

Cole,

First, congrats! Really praying this proves to be the right fit. Visibility is credibility, so a solid stable location is usually a good win.

That being said, here’s what you must admit to yourself: The people will breathe a sigh of relief the moment you move in. But you won’t hear that sigh for a few months. However, the sound you’ll hear 5-6 months after moving in, renovating, adjusting, etc will ultimately be the sound of their exhilarating exhaling, indicating they have accomplished the mission. :)

You heard me right. They’ll never admit it, but your people, by in large, will subconsciously think that getting a permanent location was their job. That the “church” is now built. “We did it — we planted!” After all, “can’t you see the building?” Remember — they won’t even realize their thinking/feeling this, but it IS what they’re experiencing. And it will come out and show up. You’ll feel it. Sense it. See it.

You see, for some reason, the building will become the church unless you intentionally ward off this virus early. It is infectious, but your congregation won’t see it. They’re so relieved to be done with weekly set-up, remote facilities, etc that they become a perfect host for the parasite of thinking that church is brick and mortar. So just remember that, way more important than leading a capital campaign, you must commit to leading a church revival.

You heard me right again. Buildings are tools not treasures. But your people will start seeing the building, not Christ and the gospel, as the treasure. Not on purpose. But it does happen insidiously.

How? Probably lots of ways. I personally found it helpful to verbalize that “Tool…treasure” line a lot, and to remind our people that we purchased a stable, not a museum. Don’t come and stare; come and work. Use it, don’t adore it. Also, re-engage in promoting community and personal evangelism, talk about building usage for community purposes, giving away space for use, etc. Model what you expect — the building is a tool for something greater: making disciples.

Before I think of more to say, I’ll end. Frankly, I had no idea this stuff was even in me till you asked. Oh well, there you have it. Enjoy digesting all this. Love you partner!

So, let’s keep the main thing the main thing: the gospel. Let’s not be afraid to be excited about the prospect of building ownership, but let’s do it with spiritual sobriety that remembers that glorifying Jesus and winning souls to the gospel is our job as a church, not owning a cool building. Let’s “ward off that virus” right now.