Comments on: Should the church use debt?

By: Four Pillars

Four Pillars — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 03:55:52 +0000

Interesting thoughts – I don’t see why churches shouldn’t use debt – even if the bible frowns on it, the reality is that debt is generally the only way to buy any sort of real estate.

On the flip side – yes, churches can and should be foreclosed on – like any other person or business they have to stay within the budget.

Mike

By: No Debt Plan

No Debt Plan — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 02:43:06 +0000

@Scott: While true and I agree with you, I also think there are some benefits to scaling up in terms of programs, etc.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:50:00 +0000

Why does the church exist in the first place? To provide a communal place to gather and worship? If so, it ultimately doesn’t matter where people meet.

Churches have become just as guilty in “keeping up with the Joneses” as other institutions. They need to start PRACTICING WHAT THEY PREACH. This will perhaps solve a the bigger problem of younger people (of all denominations) leaving the churches for “unorganized spirituality” to replace “organized religion”.

By: Scott

Scott — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:02:02 +0000

Two thoughts:
Rather than keep expanding into a massive church, it seems more prudent to create church plants to foster growth. A series of smaller churches in the area reduces the need for one a supersized building.
In K.P. Yohannan’s book Revolution in World Missions, he argues that the millions and millions spent on American church buildings is not the wisest use of God’s funds when there is such a huge need for missions support. I just hope we’re not creating a bunch of beautiful but empty cathedrals such as Europe now has.

By: Ryan McLean

Ryan McLean — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 05:19:19 +0000

A church needs to move forwards. If getting into debt is the best way to move forwards as a church then there is nothing wrong with it. If it will hold them back then they shouldn’t do it.

By: Curried Salad Recommendation and Blog Roundup

Curried Salad Recommendation and Blog Roundup — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 17:56:46 +0000

[...] guest poster on Gather Little by Little asks: Should the Church Use Debt? While I was in in college, the church I was attending wrestled with this problem. They ended up [...]

By: Frugal Vet Tech

Frugal Vet Tech — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 23:41:15 +0000

“Mo” Money said: “I think it takes faith to go into debt and beleive that God will provide.”

I think that’s sort of backwards – God says we are supposed to trust in him to provide. Taking out debt is not trusting in God to provide – it’s using our own, human ways to “get” money to do what we want, when we want. Having faith and believing God will provide means believing Ge will, in fact, provide what you need when you need it (and not a moment sooner, oftentimes). I’ve seen God do some pretty amazing stuff when people have given him the chance to.

By: Jeremy Davis

Jeremy Davis — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 23:39:20 +0000

I believe Going Gazelle hit the nail on the head. It’s so easy to go into debt without every truly thinking about it. When you can buy anything for low monthly payments, we never think about how much debt it is really costing us.

The only thing I have to add is a verse that Dave Ramsey often quotes when discussing church debt.

Proverbs 10:22
“The blessings of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.”

If you take the verse to heart then I guess it’s bad to go into debt if that debt does anything to hinder/hurt your ministry.

Also, I’m not in favor of the whole debt = faith mentality. To me it seems backwards. Pray for God to provide then purchase what you want after He has provided, not purchase what you want then pray for Him to provide.

By: Going Gazelle

Going Gazelle — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 21:58:06 +0000

Interesting comments….

I find it interesting that NO Place in scripture is their biblical precedent for God EVER using debt to accomplish his plans.

I find it interesting that according to a Barna study a vast majority of pastors who lead their congregation into debt do not stay around more than 3 years. (They get run off before the debt gets re-paid).

How would bible stories change if debt was involved?

Noah’s boat got repo’d because he couldn’t make the payments on his construction loan?

The real reason Joseph couldn’t get a room at the Hilton was because he left home without his American Excess card! However, we would now sing – “Away at a Marriott” because he did bring his MasterCard.

Paul posted bail using his Visa card so he wasn’t in jail writing letters.

I think the reason our churches have debt is because the people running them have become accustomed to Debt is normal. They run their businesses with debt. CPA’s and MBA schools crank out the “good” debt theories. Our church leaders get accustomed to running a church the way they run their businesses. Then we get caught up the the Cold War – Arms Race of mega churches. Gotta have a bigger, fancier, building. We need the bowling alley and resort style health spa at church….

By: No Debt Plan

No Debt Plan — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 21:02:16 +0000

Some great comments here, guys. Definitely interesting. I am not overly concerned about the debt in a financial sense. But on the God side of the house… your comments are helpful.