Consider vision when choosing property

A well-known joke among church building professionals is if you need a sign to direct people to your church facility, your church should have been located at that sign.

Experts say this explains the way some churches choose property based on availability and cost rather than to fulfill their vision and conveniently meet the needs of the community.

“We should set our vision first and then choose property that will make it possible for us to accomplish that vision,” said Gary Swafford, director of church planting and building services at the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions.

“If the Lord gives a church a vision then the church needs to be patient and persistent until the Lord opens the door to property that will allow that vision to be carried out,” he said.

To emphasize this point, he quoted the New International Version of Philippians 1:6, which states, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Many churches that settle for properties that do not suit their purposes find it necessary to make changes to their ministries and outreach efforts, Swafford said.

He remembered one Alabama Baptist church that searched for a permanent property while meeting at an inadequate temporary location.

After several months, they failed to find affordable property that would fulfill their church vision. As a result, they were forced to re­create their vision and adjust their ministries to suit the new community’s needs.

“It is important that the vision match the community in which the property is located,” Swafford noted.

In another example, Swafford recalled a church that decided to close its doors instead of changing its vision to suit their community.

Now, another church is succeeding on that same property because their vision suits the community.

“In Alabama, we are blessed to have our state convention, associations and churches who partner in planning where new churches are needed,” Swafford said.

“This process of planning has shown more than 200 sites. When new churches start, it is advisable that they work with their association to verify that a particular site is suitable for their vision and their core group.”

Fortunately, many Baptist churches throughout the state realize the importance of these partnerships and have seen tremendous success in their ministries after moving to new sites.

“The analysis of an area takes into account existing and projected populations,” Swafford said.

“Churches that are diligent in gathering that information have been more successful and satisfied with their property and location,” he said.

Swafford added, “A church that purchases property to match its vision and the projected growth of its site has made wise decisions and has purchased enough property in the beginning.”