Debt Retired, Millions Left for Ministry: Two Shrinking Churches Sell Their Buildings and Stay Close to Home

• Highland Oaks Church of Christ in Dallas sold its building to Shoreline City Church
• The sale cleared $1.9 million in debt and left millions for ministry
• Rochester Church of Christ sold its building to Rochester University for $2.25 million
• Rochester keeps Sunday and Wednesday use and permanent offices

Two Churches of Christ have sold their buildings to put money back into ministry, The Christian Chronicle reported in January 2022.

Highland Oaks Church of Christ in Dallas sold its property to Shoreline City Church, a nondenominational congregation. The price was not disclosed, but it exceeded the church’s $1.9 million debt and left millions of dollars for reinvestment in ministry. Highland Oaks planned to relocate within the same community. “We’ve lived on less margin, and debt has restricted our capacity to do ministry,” said Barry Packer. “We’ve gone through that shift — and we feel we’ve gotten healthier and stronger while diminishing in numbers.”

In Rochester Hills, Michigan, the Rochester Church of Christ sold its building to Rochester University for $2.25 million. Under a long-term facilities-use agreement, the church keeps Sunday and Wednesday use of classrooms and permanent office space, and shares the 900-seat auditorium with the university. “We want to partner with churches and move the kingdom of God together to reach people,” said Tom Rellinger.

“Churches are going to be smaller, and buildings are so expensive,” said Stan Granberg. Burt Rutledge said: “We want to meet our community ministry partners out in the world, not get locked in to ministry being in the building.”

Both churches used the value of their property to escape debt and fund ministry while staying in their neighbourhoods. Rochester’s arrangement, selling but keeping use, is a model for congregations that want capital without losing a place to meet.

Jamaican congregations with debt or oversized buildings could consider selling to a school, university or another church with a written agreement to keep using part of the space. The key is a clear, long-term contract covering days, rooms, costs and what happens if the buyer’s needs change.

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