Bricks and Mortar

Bricks and Mortar

By Steve Petty “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it?”  Luke 14:28 NRSV It’s not always just the cost in money.  Money is simply the way we purchase materials.  The most essential building material since the …

Understanding the costs of renting

Understanding the costs of renting

My guess is that most churches have almost no idea what it costs them to operate their buildings as rentals.  Plus, if you are United Methodist, you have additional hidden costs which can be cancerous to the operation, which we will discuss later. When you operate a business, it is important to understand your costs.  …

Understanding the Types of Rentals

Understanding the Types of Rentals

People pay money to attend events in your building.  This helps to pay for the building.  The most obvious way this happens is that your congregation’s members and friends give money in the plate and with annual contributions.  When outside groups ask to rent part or all of our facility, we may ask them to …

Organizing for a Purpose

Organizing for a Purpose

I’ve noticed a lot of churches today are reorganizing their operating structure.  I hear about Simple Board Governance, Single Board Operations, Streamlining, Downsizing, Effective Ministry, Winning Teams, and on and on.  All of them are attempts to create new more efficient operating procedures. There is an old truism that comes to mind:  “Any plan will …