Sharing Your Church Building

Sharing Your Church Building. (c) 2002- Baker Books, Grand Rapids. pp 185 price 24.95
Ralph D. Curtin- pastor, North Pompana Baptist Church, N.P. Florida.

Chapter 1. Why Should You Share Your Church?
A brief history is given of the pastor’s introduction to a church that was already sharing its facility. Sharing communicates unity to the community and is a good testimony. It is scriptural and makes good economic sense.
Chapter 2. United We Stand.
Churches that share should be of the same denomination. The conditions of sharing should be in print with a process of ongoing communication happening. There is value in shared ministry also.
Chapter 3. Preparing Your Congregation for the Guest Group.
There must be a strong commitment to the biblical concept of sharing. With sharing come liabilities but they are off-set by potential blessings. The decision to share must be unanimous. Sharing may involve a language challenge.
Chapter 4. Preparing Your Facility to Accommodate the Guest Group.
Accommodations may be short term or long term. The more specific and clear the agreements the better. Temporary alterations should be considered.
Chapter 5. Agreeing on Renovations.
Arrangements must have mutual support with clear indicators of financial responsibility. Planning and doing the changes should be the result of team work where all involved are represented. Where possible involve volunteers from the congregation(s),
Chapter 6. Guests Are Looking for Practical Answers.
Startups in schools and/or store fronts are always temporary. A financial base is paramount in putting together a plan for sharing a facility.
Chapter 7. Guests Are Looking for Scriptural Answers.
Both the Old and New Testament include teachings about responding to the ‘foreigner’ in the midst. A guest church is looking for empathy, support, etc. from the host church. There will be many adjustments that will have to be made to make arrangements work.
Chapter 8. Is Shaking Hands Enough?
No! It is a beginning. Specific covenants need to be made.
Chapter 9. Setting Boundaries to Minimize Conflicts.
Inspite of clear covenants there will be plenty of potential for conflicts. This will involve the necessity of a strong element of peacemaking and conflict resolution. Good planning and clear areas of responsibility will minimize conflict.
Chapter 10. Dealing With the Church Sign.
This is a ‘biggy’ and has great potential for internal and external (community) problems.
Chapter 11. Maintaining Your Identity as a Host Church.
In order for a host church to have a clear identity, clarity of vision , ownership and control are required. Joint ownership is a delicate topic.
Chapter 12. Where Are You Going and How Do You Get There.
Focus on blessing and purpose. Identity is a combination of vision, mission, and purpose. It is important that a guest group not become a drain.
Chapter 13. When to Call in a Mediator.
When problems cannot be solved by the groups sharing the building. This process should include necessary change that will avoid further conflicts.
Chapter 14. Asking Your Guest to Leave.
"The fundamental reason for dissolving a relationship that has no future is to protect God’s honor."p.129. (We’re not talking about Marriage!) God’s honor is harmed through disunity and strife.
Chapter 15. Sharing Your Church as a New Pastor.
Do your homework. This is an assignment that will require some unique leadership challenges.
Chapter 16. The Joy of Sharing Worship Together.
Shared worship has potential for healing and witness.
Chapter 17. Making a Statement in You Community.
In a culture of increasing isolationism communities are impacted by churches that can actually share facilities effectively.
Chapter 18. The Future Outlook of the American Church.
The author identifies what he feels are some threats to the effectiveness of the American church. Interestingly one of these is immigrants that come with non-Christian religions.
Chapter 19. Frequently Asked Questions.
Specific questions are listed that are asked of, the host pastor, the host membership, and the guest pastor , and the guest membership.
Comment. HD
I picked this book up because the topic intrigued me. I have no knowledge or experience with a church that shares its facilities. I have no idea how prevalent this is, especially in Canadian churches. There seems to be merit in considering this for economic reasons. This book is primarily the experience of one church in Florida that has had some success with three congregations sharing a facility. The target reading audience for a book like this would be limited.