Article 2 Volume 4 Friday, July 4, 2014
Republished by demand on Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Republished by demand on Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Church Management
Church Buildings, big and small, are unused an estimated 80 percent of usable time and church owned automobiles go unused an estimated 92 percent of usable time**
The desire to build bigger churches is prevalent today all across the country. You can go into poor neighborhoods where the need for food and financial assistance is evident. However, the plea for help from the needy often go unanswered because the local church has a huge monthly mortgage note. Some churches monthly notes exceed $15,000.
Members of church flocks will spend countless hours raising money to build bigger buildings when there is a slight spite in attendance. So, seeing a larger attendance, church members will launch a drive to raise millions and millions of dollars to build bigger buildings or increase the seating capacity of the current buildings.
But then, what I observe, there is no religious or community base activities planned for the daily or weekly use of the building. In many cases, the only activity going on during weekdays is choir rehearsal a couple days a week at night for two hours and maybe Prayer Meeting and one or two other activities for one day, with a total usage time of 6 hours.
Well, what is the big deal? Well, the lack of activities means potential usage time and money is wasted.
A church should be available to the community for a variety of activities. These activities could be day care, community meetings, youth meetings and so on and on.
Many expansions occur because churches get a new dynamic speaking minister or pastor. But what happens when he or she decide to go elsewhere? Then membership decline, income decrease and the church goes into foreclosure. It happens.
In conclusion, often, when an abnormal amount of the income is going into the buildings, the real missionary work of a church goes lacking.
A church should be available to the community for a variety of activities. These activities could be day care, community meetings, youth meetings and so on and on.
Many expansions occur because churches get a new dynamic speaking minister or pastor. But what happens when he or she decide to go elsewhere? Then membership decline, income decrease and the church goes into foreclosure. It happens.
In conclusion, often, when an abnormal amount of the income is going into the buildings, the real missionary work of a church goes lacking.
Church Owned Cars and Buses
Do you ever notice buses that belong to churches generally go unused 6 days a week. Although, they may used for a few miles on Sunday. Then at the end of the year, the total mileage for the church four vehicles is about 5,000 miles or less. I am talking about mileage for 4 vehicles that are virtually new and was recently purchased for about $80,000 or more.
This limited usage results in the buses deteriorating due to lack of use. Studies have concluded that vehicles that are rarely used will need more costly repairs than vehicles driven on a daily or regular basis.
I recommend that churches consider buying one and leasing one or more on an as needed basis. This action can save thousands of dollars a year.
It is not my intent to solve the problems but to plant the seed that will lead church officials and members to think about the cost before making financial decisions regarding the use of church money.
This limited usage results in the buses deteriorating due to lack of use. Studies have concluded that vehicles that are rarely used will need more costly repairs than vehicles driven on a daily or regular basis.
I recommend that churches consider buying one and leasing one or more on an as needed basis. This action can save thousands of dollars a year.
It is not my intent to solve the problems but to plant the seed that will lead church officials and members to think about the cost before making financial decisions regarding the use of church money.
**based on a survey
Copyright 2014. Grady E. Bryant, Sr
Copyright 2014. Grady E. Bryant, Sr
