Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labour (Ecclesiastes 4:9, KJV).

There is a great opportunity for local congregations in the United States and Canada to become missional churches by sharing their facilities. The average church building is used for a limited time each week. Sharing the space with another congregation(s) allows the facility to be put to greater benefit. A host church can have a most enriching experience by collaborating with a partner congregation in efforts that win and disciple people for the kingdom of God.

The high cost of real estate is making the purchase of a facility for church usage very difficult for many groups. Sharing a building demonstrates good stewardship of existing resources by combining congregations or starting a new work in a single facility. The model of shared-space ministries will enable many local churches to be more effective in ministry because of the financial benefits that result from combining resources. By sharing their facility, churches have a more efficient way of reaching and embracing other people groups. In addition, sharing often lends itself to a better understanding what it truly means to be a steward, rather than an owner, of God’s resources.

A church building is often a deep expression of a local congregation’s desire for a structural expression of God’s kingdom on earth. The community of faith has dedicated its time and resources to build a sacred place where believers and seekers can go to find and express their faith. This structure becomes, in a real sense, a powerful symbolic and liturgical expression of their faith. Most faith communities have a designated time for a consecration ceremony to dedicate the facilities for God’s use. The Manual of the Church of the Nazarene contains a statement related to building dedication, which says:

“Having been prospered by the hand of the Lord and enabled by His grace and strength to complete this building to the glory of His name, we now stand in God’s presence to dedicate this structure to the service of His kingdom.”

As the superintendent of the Southwest Latin American District, I recently had the great blessing of receiving by affiliation a new congregation into our Nazarene district family. The Tucson Palmdale Church of the Nazarene is sharing its facility with a new congregation, Rios de Vida Nueva. The Rios de Vida Nueva congregation brought about 100 people. By being open to sharing the Palmdale church building, God gave this new congregation as a gift to strengthen our district family. Now, we have two Spanish-speaking churches in the same facility. I believe these two churches have a better chance to be more effective in reaching the community.

All those involved in shared-space ministry must understand the importance of being good stewards over the facilities God has entrusted to them. This is a key issue that must be faced periodically by all occupants of a shared facility. There will be more programs on different days and at different times than is common for most single congregation churches. There has to be a systematic procedure for all the congregations to schedule their programs so that confusion does not result. A central calendar should exist that all the congregations must use it to schedule their activities.

Communication among the congregations will be very important in order to decide the arrangements and what area of the building is most appropriate for the different activities. It is recommended that a committee be formed to oversee the use and maintenance of the facility, and to address any issues that may arise as a result of sharing the church building.

By opening its doors to a new group(s), the local church becomes missional using God’s resources in making Christlike disciples in its own context. Would you prayerfully consider hosting or starting a new congregation(s) by missionally sharing your church building?

by Roberto Hodgson
Hispanic Coordinator
USA/Canada and Latin American District Superintendent