Despite Economy, Church Expansion Trend Continues
Posted by Everyday Christian Staff
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At 9:56 am on September 29, 2010
A recent survey of church leaders indicates that about one-third of churches have expanded their ministry space within the past three years.
The survey, conducted by Christianity Today International and Cornerstone Knowledge Network, concludes that four out of five church expansion projects were done to enhance a church's ability to minister to current members and that most of these project involved increasing space for children and classrooms. Nearly 2 in 5 projects involved building new facilities on existing property while 1 in 5 involved relocating to a different church facility. Ten percent involved the building of a new facility at a new location while 8% involved lauching church services off-site as part of a multi-site expansion.
Of the churches that reported recent expansion, 80% expected further expansion within the next three years.
Of the two-third of churches that did not expand recently, 63% cited financial reasons. More than 40% attributed the lack of expansion to static or declining attendance.
"This study points to an important dynamic as churches expand their ministry space, which is there are many options when it comes to accommodating growth," said Jim Couchenour, co-founder of Cornerstone Knowledge Network. "It's also exciting to see that one of the more popular expansion choices is multi-site, which happens to be one of the most effective at reaching the unchurched."
Results are based on the responses of 1,126 church leaders surveyed in February. The survey report is available at YourChurchResources.com.
Tags: church expansion, church survey, research, surveys
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