“Every day ministers are looking for resources to help enhance and facilitate ministry. We actively search books, magazines, video series etc for help. One resource that facilitates ministry and sometimes gets under used is the church building itself! We recently asked Scott Prime, the pastor at New Hope in Kentville, to share three positives of having a church building and some of the negatives. We believe what Scott shares will help us appreciate the resource many of us have.

Top Three Positives:

1) High Visibility

A building takes you from a limited existence in the community to a 24/7 presence. A permanent facility helps validate the efforts you’re trying to accomplish, resulting in a community that views the church as somewhat more credible. Let me explain: the world often views the Church as a business – are you here for the short or long term? A permanent structure solidifies that long-term investment feeling – it’s a Kingdom investment. Several weeks after the completion of our building a person in the community said to me, "What a beautiful building I’m so glad you’re no longer a fly-by-night organization…"

2) Valuable Resource

A building/church can be an excellent resource. No longer is there a need to reserve halls, hotel centers, and schools for special events/ministries. The possibilities are endless because you have a resource 24/7.
Side Note: The people are taxed less with setup, teardown and storage with a permanent building.

3) Faith Builder

Seventy-five men, women and children purchased 35 acres of land and erected a 14,000 sq. ft. building for less than $58 sq. ft. at New Hope. God performed many miracles during this building process, which strengthened our faith. There are many miracles still feeding our faith 16 months after the completion of the project.

Top Three Negatives:

• Taxing mortgage payments
• Maintenance & up keep are always a challenge
• Maintaining the building as a resource/tool and not a shrine