The building project

I just opened a letter from our church elders about a financial problem we are having, and will continue to have until we can raise a substantial amount of money. It's our, that's right...our mortgage. A number of years ago, during more heady times, the leadership (now long gone) decided to embark on a huge project. Yes! A new building. Now 5 yrs latter, we're strapped.

It's weird that so many churches end up in this place. A growth spurt, followed by prayer, and a plan to build a new facility. Now, growth is slower, and we have a huge mortgage. Personnel have been laid off (sacrifices to the "new building" god), and leadership is scrambling. Again, what puzzles me is the number of times I have seen this. I can count half a dozen off the top of my head. Something is wrong here...but what?