Selling your church is a huge decision, and there are a few things you need to ask yourself and your congregation before you proceed. Here are the top four questions to ask before selling your church.
1. Why Are You Selling It?
Before you sell your church, you must determine why you want to sell it. There are many reasons to sell a church that can benefit your congregation.
- Your church got bigger: If you have too many members to fit in your current building comfortably, it is a great time to sell and move to where your whole church family will thrive.
- The building is in poor shape: Many churches are old, but some buildings get to a point where maintenance is too costly to keep. You can move to a newer building while hanging onto some mementos from the original.
- There is a more convenient location: If many members of your congregation travel long distances to get there, it might be worth moving closer to them. If your current church is down a backroad or blocked by trees or other buildings, moving to a more visible space could help your congregation grow.
However, you might get tempted to sell your church for the wrong reasons.
- You want a flashier building: Many modern churches across denominations have lights, screens and stages. That is not bad, as variety in worship can encourage more people to find God. However, if you are unsure that changing your church design will benefit your congregation, you should reconsider selling.
- You want new members: Jesus wants us to make disciples, which can mean moving your church to a place that makes outreach easier. However, thinking about potential new members while neglecting the needs of your current congregation means selling is not worth it. If most of your current members would have to travel much further or feel isolated from their community, you should stay.
- The money: It’s a never-ending battle for churches to fundraise as much as possible without falling for money’s allure. If the market is good or you know someone looking to purchase a church building, you might want to sell without considering the long-term consequences.
Talk with other church leaders and prayerfully discern whether you are falling into one of these reasons.
2. Is Your Congregation On-Board?
Jesus said, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Your church is not the building — it is the people who attend it.
Before you enter the earliest stages of the selling process, you must include all of your church members in conversations about whether or not selling is a good option. Have a general meeting to propose the sale or find ways to bring it up with individuals to get their honest opinions. Consider having more informal events that may make them more comfortable expressing their thoughts and feelings.
3. Do You Know How to Use Online Platforms?
An online presence is not only necessary to publicize your services. It is also vital to get the best offer for your church building. According to the Pew Research Center, nine in ten Americans use the internet.
There are many online platforms where you can list information about the building and surrounding property and post pictures. Many buyers hesitate to go into an open house blind, as virtual tours are now standard. You want to give potential buyers as much information as possible, which helps them determine upfront if they’re interested in purchasing the property.
If you have a real estate agent, they can often take care of an online listing — but if you still need to handle it, you can usually do it all on a smartphone. Sites like Zillow and Realtor.com provide guides for posting your listing and tips for getting it noticed on their platform.
4. Is It Better to Build or Buy?
Churches often sell with an idea in mind — either building a new church on a different property or moving into another church or building. It is necessary to consider both options, even if you go into the process with a plan for one or another.
Building a new church is exciting but can be a lengthy process. Most builds take at least a year which could be a challenge if you need to sell your current building first for a down payment.
Consider the options to house your church until your new building comes to life. Also, consider whether purchasing a building to transform into your church is a better option. It could cost less, but it likely will not have all of the custom features you desire.
Know What Questions to Consider Before Selling
Selling your church is a big choice with many variables. Knowing the answer to these questions will help you make the best decision for your church family and the future of your worship.
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