We all know that managing church finances can be a challenge. Not so very long ago, many church leaders could rely primarily on member pledges and plate offerings to sustain their income. Today, that model – depending solely on pledge and plate income – is increasingly unsustainable.
This reality affects churches of all sizes, leading many to explore supplemental income sources to support mission and ministry.
A natural starting point is to look to your property. Whether it’s bringing in income through tenants, developing community partnerships, or finding other creative uses for existing space, physical assets can play a key role in supporting mission.
In the recent Episcopal Parish Network webinar Finding Growth Opportunities Outside the Traditional Church Model, (click here to watch), experts share important advice for churches interested in exploring ways to raise revenue from new uses of their property. The video’s about an hour, and well worth the time – feel free too to share it with others.
A key recommendation from the webinar applies universally to churches large and small: that before diving into potential property projects, it’s important to align these efforts with your church’s broader mission. That’s where a Property Mission Statement comes in.
Think of a Property Mission Statement as a specialized vision that articulates how your church’s properties support its broader ministry, regardless of the property’s income potential. It ensures that property-related decisions reflect your congregation’s core values and long-term vision.
A thoughtful Property Mission Statement provides several critical benefits:
- Strategic Direction: Creates a clear framework for making property-related decisions
- Stakeholder Alignment: Helps clergy, lay leaders, and community partners understand your vision
- Adaptive Planning: Offers guidance as your congregation’s needs evolve
- Mission Clarity: Ensures your property serves your spiritual purpose
- Community Connection: Helps define your church’s role in the local context
- Future Preparedness: Provides a flexible approach to potential opportunities
How to develop your Property Mission Statement? In the video, Dana Dabek of Partners for Sacred Places, stresses the importance of first assembling a diverse team to work on this project. In addition to clergy and vestry leadership, she suggests that the team include a cross-section of your congregation and representatives of key ministries. This should not be perceived as a “secret” group, but one truly representative.
The Property Mission Statement should strive to reflect the unique “charism” of your church—the distinctive gifts, values, and spiritual focus that define your congregation. This is your opportunity to articulate how your property can best serve your church’s mission and community impact, especially as you look to the future.
For example, if your congregation has a strong commitment to outreach, such as feeding programs, ensure these priorities take a central place in your statement. Highlight how your property can support these efforts—whether through kitchen upgrades for meal preparation, dedicated spaces for food distribution, or partnerships with community organizations.
By grounding your Property Mission Statement in your congregation’s charism, you create a roadmap that guides future decisions, ensuring that your property continues to support and amplify the ministry that makes your church unique.
Key Questions to Explore
- What role does our property play in our current ministries?
- How could our property better serve our mission in the future?
- What values do our physical spaces represent?
Your Property Mission Statement can become an effective tool for both internal reflection and external communication. It ensures that your spiritual mission remains at the forefront of any property-related discussions or decisions.
By thoughtfully considering your church’s property in the context of its broader mission, you can create a more intentional and purposeful approach to your church’s physical assets and help set yourself up for success in the future.
