Building for Effective Mission: A Complete Guide for Congregations on Bricks and Mortar Issues

How can congregations clarify and advance their mission in the twenty-first century? And how can they maximize their resources as they reach out and serve the community?

In this important addition to the Twelve Keys to an Effective Church library, Kennon Callahan guides church leaders through the process of defining and prioritizing their mission. The book begins by showing the need to develop a focused plan, build on strengths, and concentrate on specific resources available. Some congregations fail by trying to do too much. Callahan emphasizes the need to be realistic, make choices, and do what can be done best.

He then presents the 'bricks and mortar' tools needed to build and grow the mission, focusing on issues such as evaluating the range of resources available, choosing the right location, doing a church site evaluation, making sure space and facilities meet the needs of the mission, and more. Callahan also addresses key issues that will ensure long life for a church's mission, such as community outreach, leadership development, and growing funds through giving. Throughout this step-by-step process, he helps congregations understand that the building is not the mission but only one of the means through which mission is carried out.

To be a successful church in the twenty-first century, a congregation outlines clear mission goals and then renovates, builds, or moves in order to bring these ministries to life. This is a guide to making any congregation's mission become reality and to matching its church's facilities with its mission needs. Less