Church Foreclosures Increasing

[Thousand Hills]

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/01/25/churches-end-nigh/?test=latestnews

Full article from WSJ : http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100...0.html?mod=WSJ_hp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsSecond

What's your opinion on churches financing expansion or new construction. Anybody seeing church foreclosures in your neck of the woods?

 

[annsni]

We did a 25,000 foot expansion a few years ago at our church. It was fully funded. By cash. When we didn't have the money to do the work, work stopped for a time. We also did the work for less than half because much of the work was done by our own congregation. I can't tell you how many in the church worked gazillions of hours to get the work done and it turned out fantastic!! Hubby and I were just talking about these articles and said that we are so grateful for a church that believes in do debt because we can continue to do what we need to do without worry of finances right now.

 

[Tom Bryant]

Within 10 miles of our church, there have been 2 church closed by foreclosure. They didn't get that way because of rapid expansion. They are both about 20 years into their 30 year mortgage. They have shrunk in attendance and people are not giving for a variety of reasons. And they have been unable to find a buyer.

It's sad.

 

[annsni]

Within 10 miles of our church, there have been 2 church closed by foreclosure. They didn't get that way because of rapid expansion. They are both about 20 years into their 30 year mortgage. They have shrunk in attendance and people are not giving for a variety of reasons. And they have been unable to find a buyer.

It's sad.

That IS sad. I can't believe a church has to close because of money and lack of attendance. It's heartbreaking.

 

[targus]

Would it be wrong to ask a church to show their financial condition before deciding to become a member?

I know that is a strange question - but churches going into foreclosure is a strange situation too.

 

[Tom Bryant]

Would it be wrong to ask a church to show their financial condition before deciding to become a member?

I know that is a strange question - but churches going into foreclosure is a strange situation too.

I would ask. When I was out of ministry for 2 years, i went to a church's business meeting before i joined.

btw, one of the churches was an IFB and the other was pentecostal. I would disagree with the Pentecostal theology, neither were liberal theologically. People left to go to more exciting churches with more activities for children/families.

 

[Thousand Hills]

Would it be wrong to ask a church to show their financial condition before deciding to become a member?

I know that is a strange question - but churches going into foreclosure is a strange situation too.

My wife and I waited over a year before joining our current church, during that time we were present at several monthly business meetings as non-members. This allowed us to see where giving was going, and the overall financial picture. When we met with the pastor to discuss membership we also discussed the church finances. This was important to me because I had come from a smaller church where finances were not necessarily mismanaged, but giving was low (even prior to the downturn).

I do think sometimes churches can go to the other extreme and have too much cash stashed away. There should be a proper balance of actively using the churches resources while still looking ahead for a rainy day .

 

[Crucified in Christ]

Would it be wrong to ask a church to show their financial condition before deciding to become a member?

I know that is a strange question - but churches going into foreclosure is a strange situation too.

My take on this is a little different. I do not think that you should make the entire decision to join a church about financial health as it is very possible that the Lord is leading you (and others) there to help turn things around.

Having stated that...I would never join a church without attending a few business meetings; you can learn a great deal about the fellowship, leadership and heart of the church by attending these.

 

[annsni]

Would it be wrong to ask a church to show their financial condition before deciding to become a member?

I know that is a strange question - but churches going into foreclosure is a strange situation too.

I'd do this in a heartbeat. A church that can't manage itself financially is not a good steward.

 

[preachinjesus]

I think we'd all be surprised at the levels of debt that are affecting many ministries. As America moves into a more clearly post-Christian era the numbers of faithful attenders will begin to dwindle. One of the clear things that we are picking up on (but isn't being recorded very well) is that most of the younger generations (below 40) haven't been raised to support their local church financially on a consistent basis.

I really believe that we are going to see a significant amount of churches start closing their doors because of financial distress. Aging congregations and a lack of vision from the ordained leadership are contributors. Adding to this will also be the pastors who have led their churches into massive building campaigns financed heavily through debt.

I don't know if anyone has heard about this but the Church of England is facing a very real, very impending financial crisis. They are not attracting the people they once were and if the state funding ever went away they would be out of business within weeks. Even with the state funding the debt burden is creating quite a difficult situation for them. Foreclosure of parishes is a real possibility.

 

[billwald]

Maybe it is God teaching Proverbs. Or God teaching Ben Franklin?