Deciding when to build a new church building is an important decision that requires prayer, wisdom, and seeking God’s will. Here are some biblical principles to consider when determining if the time is right:
1. Is the church outgrowing its current facility?
As a church grows, it may outgrow its current building and need more space for worship services, classrooms, and ministry programs (Acts 2:47). Signs that a church has outgrown its facility include constantly having standing room only at services, lack of adequate children’s or youth space, parking shortages, and overloaded utilities. Prayerfully considering if a new or expanded facility is needed for future growth can help determine if now is the right time.
2. Is the focus on the people or the building?
The church is people, not a building. A new building should serve the needs of the congregation and help accomplish the church’s mission (1 Peter 2:5). If the motivation is pride in having an impressive facility or keeping up with other churches, the focus is wrong. New construction is warranted when current facilities limit ministry effectiveness and ministry to people.
3. Is there unity and support in the congregation?
Major decisions like a building program require unity (Philippians 2:2). Time should be taken to build consensus through prayer, discussion, and careful listening. Moving ahead without spiritual unity can divide a congregation. And there needs to be strong financial support, so the project does not burden the church with too much debt (Romans 13:8). Unity and broad support provide the solid foundation needed to undertake a major building project.
4. Is the timing right financially?
Building is a major financial investment. With prayer and wise counsel, the leadership should assess factors like the economy, interest rates, construction prices, and the church budget. Paying cash is ideal, but borrowing within reasonable limits may be appropriate. Moving ahead without solid finances can saddle the church with high debt payments that consume resources needed for ministry (Luke 14:28). An affordable project aligned with responsible financial principles is preferred.
5. Have alternatives been considered?
While new facilities may be needed, alternatives like renovating, remodeling, or expanding the current building should be explored first. Creatively modifying and upgrading current facilities is often more affordable. Temporary solutions like adding services or renting space nearby can also be considered if new construction is not immediately feasible. Weighing alternatives helps find the most prudent option.
6. Is there an effective ministry plan?
A new facility should serve a ministry vision, not the other way around. The leadership should define ministry goals and objectives before designing the building. Additional space is useless without intentional plans to use it for ministry growth. Defining how to best utilize new or expanded facilities to reach people advances the gospel mission.
7. Does the community need justify it?
Building plans should consider community needs and location. A new plant in an underserved area allows reaching more people. Existing facilities centrally located in the community being served may be adequate. Needs of the congregation must be balanced with wise stewardship of resources and facilities in light of community conditions.
8. Is it God’s timing?
Above all, seek the Lord’s will in much prayer individually and corporately. God knows when the time is right according to His plans (Proverbs 3:5-6). The leadership must humbly seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance to discern if it is God’s timing. If it is not supported in prayer, it is not of God. Wait patiently on the Lord for His clear direction and provision.
9. Is there peace and patience to wait if not yet?
Even with needs and strong desires for new facilities, the timing may not be right yet. There should be grace and patience to humbly wait on God’s perfect timing and continue effective ministry in the current facility. Forcing ahead of God’s timing can have costly consequences. Be at peace with joyfully serving where God currently has the church until He makes the timing clear.
Determining the right time to build requires evaluating many factors prayerfully and biblically. Assessing needs, being unified, counting the cost, exploring alternatives, defining ministry plans, considering location and community, seeking and waiting on God’s will, and being patient to wait for His timing allows wise decisions about undertaking major building projects. With prayer and counsel, church leaders can discern God’s direction for when new facilities are truly needed to help build His kingdom.
But for churches considering when to build, remember that facilities are means, not ends. The priority must be advancing the Gospel through ministry, discipleship, and evangelism, not creating impressive buildings. The New Testament emphasizes building up believers in Jesus Christ, not constructing physical structures (1 Corinthians 3:9). The greatest “building project” is building God’s Church through changed hearts and lives transformed by the Gospel.
10. Focus on building God’s kingdom, not buildings
The early Christians did not have dedicated church buildings but spread the Gospel through homes, streets, and marketplaces. The church is defined by dedicated believers, not buildings. Energy should go into building God’s spiritual kingdom over any building campaign (Matthew 6:33).
While facilities can serve the church’s mission, consuming time and resources on construction projects can divert focus and priorities. The Book of Acts describes explosive growth of the first-century church without emphasis on buildings. God’s kingdom purposes advanced through Spirit-empowered believers embodying the Gospel.
Paul reminded the Corinthians that they were God’s building (1 Corinthians 3:9). The priority was maturing in Christ, not a building program. Their witness was in changed lives, not constructing an edifice. The building that matters most is a community of grace built on Jesus Christ.
So before embarking on a building project, evaluate if existing facilities already accommodate the church’s ministry needs. While growth sometimes warrants expansion, carefully weigh the impact on kingdom priorities like evangelism, discipleship, and meeting needs. These define a living church more than square footage.
Of course, facilities can enhance ministry effectiveness. But the New Testament model was nimble, Spirit-led believers who gathered anywhere. The greatest building we are called to is building God’s kingdom in hearts. So before investing in new construction, count the cost in terms of advancing Gospel purposes over maintaining property.
The priority of the church is reaching the lost, not real estate. Buildings are tools that should serve evangelism, discipleship, and mission. But they can become ends in themselves that drain resources and distract from what matters most. A building with few people being equipped for ministry is far less worthwhile than a thriving congregation bursting at the seams.
So in considering new facilities, faithfully steward resources entrusted by God. Channeling funds into buildings that are underutilized or unneeded comes at the cost of ministry vision. Be led by kingdom priorities and good stewardship over desires for nice buildings.
Of course, some building projects are necessary for growth or replacing dangerous structures. But these should serve ministry, not become monuments or status symbols. Spending millions on ornate architecture or lavish decor seems contradictory to the humble, sacrificial Gospel.
When new facilities are truly needed, build functional space to facilitate ministry, not just impressive auditoriums for big crowds once a week. Design facilities around equipping believers and serving community needs. That fulfills the Great Commission and Great Commandment.
So in evaluating construction projects, carefully weigh impact on people versus properties, ministries versus maintenance, and evangelism versus edifices. Seek balance between serving current attendees and having space to reach more people for Christ.
The Lord cares more about building lives than buildings. And He can use simple, inadequate spaces to transform hearts and grow His Church. So focus time and resources first on the greatest construction project of building God’s eternal kingdom.