Planting Space

In Round 1, I highlighted some of the benefits of both home offices and rented offices.  Round 2 will focus on ideas to making a rented office work.  Do you have any additional ideas.  Post a comment.

IDEA #1 - Fundraise and then Fundraise some more.

One option is to fundraise the needed money for office space.  If having a public office is part of the strategy of the new church than funds must be raised to support that strategy.  My experience is that a cheap office is going to cost $1500 a month.  That’s $54,000 over the course of the first three years.

IDEA #2 - Business Partnerships

Consider partnering with another business or non-profit to reduce costs.  For example, have a counselor pay rent to run his/her practice out of your office.

IDEA #3 - Make your space pay for itself.

Consider how your space can generate funds to pay for itself.  Many church planters have attempted to start businesses in their office space, such as a coffee shop, to generate funds for rent and get the community to their location.  While this sounds like a great idea, proceed cautiously.  You are already starting a new church.  Starting a new business might just push you over the edge of insanity.  Consider partnerships first and do your homework.

IDEA #4 - Serve the Community

Start a separate non-profit organization that functions as the service arm of the church.  Many church plants have a renewed interest in community service.  Not the kind of community service that makes guilty Christians feel better, but the kind that actually benefits their community.  There is an emerging model for planting churches out of non-profit organizations.  There are many private and government grants available for organizations that legitimately serve the community.  Consider planting with this approach and you may find God opens doors of revenue and service opportunities you never imagined.

IDEA #5  Get it donated

As you connect with people in the community and network with business leaders, ask them to consider donating an office or to provide access to their conference room.  Many offices are vacant in the evening and can be used for meetings and events without disturbing the business.  You don’t get what you don’t ask for.

Round 2 clearly goes to the rented office.  There are multiple ways to rent office space without negatively impacting the church budget.  Just be sure to count the cost before signing on the dotted line.  We always recommend as short a lease as possible.  Budgets change and even it it looks like you can afford an office on paper three years from now, you might not.  If you are locked into a lease, you might be firing staff or cutting ministry in order to pay the bills.

Round 3 will focus on ideas for making a home office work.

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