The Church Revitalization Podcast – Episode 306– When should a church expand
Bottom Every growing church eventually faces the question: when should a church expand? It’s an exciting moment that signals God’s blessing and growth, but it’s also one of the most significant decisions a congregation will make. The answer isn’t simply “when we run out of room”—successful church building projects require careful planning, clear vision, and strategic thinking.
At the Malphurs Group, we regularly receive calls from churches asking, “Can you help us figure out if we should do a building project?” While we’re not architects or contractors, we excel at helping churches navigate the leadership, strategic, and vision questions that should drive any church expansion planning.The key insight? Building should never be the vision itself—it should be a tool that serves your mission.
The Foundation: Why Churches Expand for the Wrong Reasons
Before diving into when you should expand, it’s crucial to understand why many church building projects fail or create more problems than they solve. Too often, churches approach expansion backwards:
- Building becomes the end goal rather than a means to accomplish ministry
- Growth assumptions drive decisions instead of sustained patterns
- Emotional decisions override strategic planning
- Inadequate preparation leads to budget overruns and incomplete projects
Jesus criticized the temple system when it became an end unto itself rather than pointing to a greater spiritual reality. Similarly, church expansion can become misguided when the building project becomes the vision instead of serving the church’s mission and vision.
1. Get Vision and Health Right Before You Break Ground
Church Expansion Should Be Mission-Driven, Not Ego-Driven
The first and most critical question in church expansion planning is: Why do you want to build?
Your answer must flow directly from your church’s mission and vision. Healthy church building projects start with statements like:
- “We’ve identified a specific ministry need that requires additional space”
- “Our current facilities limit our ability to serve our community”
- “This expansion directly supports our strategy to make disciples”
Warning signs of premature expansion:
- “If we build it, they will come” mentality
- Lack of clear ministry strategy beyond the building
- Unhealthy church dynamics that a building won’t fix
- Leadership conflicts about direction or priorities
Ensure Healthy Church Fundamentals First
A building project will magnify whatever already exists in your church—both good and bad. Before considering expansion, honestly assess:
- Leadership pipeline: Do you have leaders ready to serve increased capacity?
- Discipleship systems: Can you effectively integrate and grow new people?
- Financial stability: Is your church consistently meeting budget and giving goals?
- Unity and vision alignment: Is your congregation unified around clear direction?
If you’re struggling with any of these fundamentals, address them first. A larger building won’t solve underlying health issues—it will amplify them.
Biblical Precedent for Purpose-Driven Building
Consider the construction of Solomon’s temple. It wasn’t built simply because Israel was growing. It had a specific purpose: to provide a place for God’s presence to dwell with His people and facilitate worship and sacrifice. The building served the spiritual mission.
Your church expansion should follow the same principle. The physical building must serve a clear spiritual and ministry purpose that you can articulate to your congregation.
2. Establish Clear Benchmarks and Triggers
How Do You Know You Actually Need More Space?
Many churches operate on feelings rather than facts when it comes to space utilization. Feeling crowded isn’t the same as being at capacity. Here’s how to objectively assess your needs:
Seating Capacity Guidelines:
- Pews: 80% capacity is generally considered full
- Chairs: 90% capacity is generally considered full
- Consider comfort factors: Physical space plus psychological comfort
Beyond the Sanctuary: Church expansion planning must consider your entire facility:
- Parking capacity: Adding services without adding parking creates new bottlenecks
- Children’s ministry space: Safety ratios and age-appropriate environments
- Fellowship and community areas: Space for connection and discipleship
- Multi-purpose needs: Flexibility for various ministry functions
Is This Growth or Just a Busy Season?
Sustained growth patterns matter more than temporary spikes. A few busy weeks or even months don’t justify a major building campaign. Look for:
- Consistent growth over 6-12 months
- Multiple services running at capacity
- Waiting lists for programs or events
- Clear trends indicating continued growth
Maximize Current Space Before Building
Many churches have significant untapped capacity in their existing facilities. Before committing to church construction planning, explore:
Service Time Optimization:
- Multiple services to increase capacity
- Different worship styles for different demographics
- Saturday evening or Sunday evening options
Space Reallocation:
- Converting underutilized rooms for high-demand ministries
- Flexible spaces that serve multiple functions
- Renovating existing space for better flow and capacity
Technology Solutions:
- Overflow areas with video feeds
- Outdoor worship options with mobile technology
- Live streaming to accommodate more participants
The Last Resort Principle: In most cases, building should be closer to your last resort than your first option. Exhaust creative solutions with your current footprint before committing to major construction.
3. Build a Rock-Solid Financial and Campaign Plan
This Step Requires the Previous Two
You cannot start here. Financial planning only works when you have:
- Clear vision and healthy church fundamentals (Step 1)
- Objective data about actual need and optimized current usage (Step 2)
Skipping these steps leads to poorly conceived projects, failed campaigns, and congregational frustration.
Work with Capital Campaign Professionals
The investment in professional help pays for itself. Capital campaigns are one-shot opportunities that require specialized expertise. Professional consultants provide:
Feasibility Studies: Realistic assessment of your congregation’s giving capacity
Campaign Strategy: Proven methods for communication and commitment
Timeline Management: Coordination of fundraising, design, and construction phases
Risk Mitigation: Avoiding common pitfalls that derail projects
The Cost of Going It Alone: We’ve worked with churches whose DIY approach resulted in:
- Failed campaigns that raised insufficient funds
- Multi-year delays that inflated costs
- Incomplete projects due to budget shortfalls
- Congregational fatigue and loss of momentum
The Debt Question: A Balanced Approach
Many churches have strong convictions about debt-free building. While we respect the desire for fiscal responsibility, absolute opposition to any financing often creates bigger problems:
The Hidden Costs of “Cash Only”:
- Projects that take 5-7 years often double in cost due to inflation
- Congregational momentum and excitement fade over extended timelines
- Ministry opportunities are lost during prolonged fundraising periods
- Incomplete projects become financial burdens rather than ministry assets
Wise Debt Principles:
- Don’t overextend: Monthly payments and facility costs shouldn’t exceed 20%-25% of budget
- Plan for early payoff: Structure loans to allow accelerated payment
- Count the true cost: Compare total interest costs against inflation and opportunity costs
- Apply Dave Ramsey principles: Use debt strategically, not carelessly
Remember: If it’s wise to get a mortgage for your personal home, it can be wise to finance church facilities that serve Kingdom purposes—with proper planning and reasonable terms.
Budget Beyond Construction
Church expansion planning must account for more than construction costs:
Ongoing Operational Changes:
- Increased utilities and maintenance
- Additional staffing needs
- Higher insurance premiums
- Enhanced security requirements
Campaign Communication Strategy
Transparency builds trust and commitment. Your campaign should include:
Clear Vision Casting: How this expansion serves your mission
Detailed Budget Information: Where every dollar will go
Timeline Communication: Realistic expectations for completion
Regular Updates: Progress reports throughout the process
Celebration Milestones: Acknowledging progress and God’s provision
Conclusion: Building with Purpose and Wisdom
When should a church expand? When expansion directly serves your God-given mission, when you’ve maximized current resources, and when you have a comprehensive plan for success.
The best church building projects share common characteristics:
- Mission-driven purpose that goes beyond just “needing more room”
- Healthy church systems ready to steward increased capacity
- Objective data showing sustained need and growth patterns
- Professional planning that ensures successful execution
- Congregation-wide buy-in based on clear vision and communication
Remember the ultimate goal: Your building should serve people, and people should serve God’s purposes. When church expansion planning keeps this priority in proper order, the result is facilities that truly advance the Kingdom and serve your community for generations to come.
Additional Resources:
Blind Spots: 3 Dangerous Pitfalls for Growing Churches
Three Budget Hacks to Grow Your Church
Watch this episode on YouTube!
Scott Ball is the Vice President and a Lead Guide with The Malphurs Group. He lives in East Tennessee with his wife and two children. (Email Scott).
