Churches are physical structures devoted to Christian worship. A church is also a group of Christian believers who gather together for worship.
Some people attend worship services at dedicated church buildings. Other people opt to attend home churches. Anyone starting a church must decide which type of church they want to launch. Once you’ve made that decision, you’ll need the resources outlined here to build your church.
Physical churches need land, infrastructure, and building materials.
When you opt to build a church, you’ll need land. A real estate agent can help you locate affordable land where you can build a church. Working with a professional real estate agent ensures you’ll invest in property that meets the zoning requirements.
You’ll also need building permits. To acquire a permit, first, you’ll need a blueprint of your building plans. Hire an architect to prepare a building design and apply for your permit.
Once you have your permits, you’ll need building materials such as lumber and masonry supplies. Popular masonry materials include cinderblocks, bricks, and stone. Concrete pavers are ideal for driveways and walkways, and you can also use pavers to create a patio. You may be able to build your foundation, driveway, and hardscaping features if you have masonry experience. Otherwise, you may want to hire an expert mason when you hire builders.
Your church building will need crucial resources. Contact the power company to determine how to connect your building to the local power supply. Investigate your internet options. Building on a plot of land could limit your options if you’re on a new road without existing cable lines. You may be able to use satellite internet until you can connect to cable services. Whether you can connect to the public sewer system and water supply will also depend on your location. Rural plots may not have access to town water. In that case, you’ll need to build a well and install a septic tank.
Home churches need a location and practical resources.
Although the term “home church” suggests these churches meet in people’s houses, some churches opt to rent space in public facilities. You may rent space in a community center or school, or you may use a church member’s basement or living room.
Find a space big enough for your congregation. Your space should offer access to resources you need, such as bathrooms and a kitchen.
You may need to purchase chairs to ensure you can seat all your members if you meet in a home. You may also need to supply other materials, such as toilet paper and cleaning supplies. Churches that rent space in public facilities may not need to clean their meeting rooms and may have essentials, such as chairs, provided by the facility.
Choose your name and denomination.
Research local church names and choose a name that isn’t too similar to an existing local church to avoid confusion. Determine if you want to join an existing denomination. Christian denominations establish their doctrinal beliefs and standards for conduct. Whether you’re interested in launching a Baptist, Lutheran, or Pentecostal church, you’ll have to qualify to join their denomination.
You’ll benefit from complying with IRS guidelines.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) determines if churches qualify for tax-exempt status. Review the IRS guidelines to ensure you meet their requirements. Eliminating your tax burden reduces your operating costs, making it possible to invest more in your church activities.
All churches need church supplies.
Invest in the resources you need for services. You may want your minister to wear clergy robes. Christian supply companies can provide clergy robes for men and women. You can also choose from an assortment of clergy shirts. Other supplies you may need include communion supplies, baptism supplies, and decors such as crosses and banners. Investing in quality products ensures you’ll have the resources you need for your services.
Building a new church involves finding a location to build on or space where a home church can meet. You’ll need to choose a church name and determine if you want to join a denomination. Your church will benefit financially from complying with IRS tax-exempt guidelines. You’ll also benefit from creating an account with a reliable Christian supply company.
