Explore Innovative Uses for Your Church Property

Tammy Snyder
Nov 15, 2025
3 min read

by Tammy Snyder

Congregations across the country are getting smaller. This year, NPR published an article on how churches are trying to utilize their space as their congregation gets smaller in size.

"Americans aren't attending religious service as much as they once did. About 3 in 10 say they go to church regularly compared to 4 in 10 a decade ago....Forty Years ago, First Christian Church in Colorado, added a 500 seat sanctuary, anticipating a swell in numbers, but that never happened. Today the building is too big for its roughly 100 members."

Maybe you are in a congregation that has a similar story?

Many CBF churches in Florida and The Caribbean have inherited buildings that no longer fit the size of their congregation. This situation has left many congregations wondering,

"What should we do with all this space?"

First Baptist Church St. Petersburg, Florida

At First Baptist Church St. Petersburg, they have found multiple ways to utilize their large facility. Pastor Ben Winder says that their church has shifted from seeing their building as a liability, into seeing it as an asset. Here are a few things they have done with their space:

Host a preschool and nascent arts academy.

Host Bible Study Fellowship and Alcoholics Anonymous.

Rent significant amount of classroom space to a non-profit school & therapy center for children with autism.

We set aside some spots in our parking lot to bus companies that transports folks to cruises.

Serve as a venue for Candlelight Concerts.

"Often folks who would have never otherwise come through our doors visit our building for a non-church event. For some it is a single positive contact; for others it sparks their curiosity to be our guest for worship and leads to long-term relationship".

- Rev. Ben Winder

Tell Us What You Think

Is your church doing something creative with its space?

Are you having these conversations with you congregation?

What are people concerned about, and what are some hurdles that have gotten in the way of making changes?

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Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL answered this question by striking up a partnership with the Jacksonville Artist Guild. They offer their Narthex as a gallery space for artists to display their works.

"This fall, we hosted a juried exhibit about creation titled, 'Let There Be Light.' Currently, that gallery shows students' self portraits."

- Pastor BJ Hutto

Mark Elsdon, is a national thought leader and speaker on the subject of faith-based

impact investing, social enterprise, property development, and author. His books help congregations navigate conversations on church space.

Gone for Good? Negotiating the Coming Wave of Church Property Transition, Mark offers inspiration and practical help for churches discussing church property transitions, either through repurposing or in selling their property.

We Aren't Broke: Uncovering Hidden Resources for Mission and Ministry, Mark describes how social enterprise, impact investing, and church property can be used for creative, sustainable ministry.

Finally, this past Sunday, I was invited to a brand new church dedication service - Winter Park Christian Church, pastored by Rev. Gail Davidson. The old and underused building was demolished, making way for a fresh restart.

The buyer who purchased the church property agreed to build a new church and provided a generous financial gift, which the congregation plans to invest to support future ministry and operations.

Each congregation will address this topic differently. There is no "one fits all" approach. But you and your church don't have to navigate these conversations alone.

If your church is dreaming about new ways to use its space, we have some great tools here at CBF. From turning underutilized buildings into community or nonprofit centers, to creative partnerships, there are real-life stories and resources to guide you.

Check out CBF’s Sacred Spaces, Innovative Places and the Church Sustainability Series: