By Douglas A. Spuler, AIA, LEED AP

Among today’s urban sprawl, it’s hard to find the villages of old, anchored by the local church in the small town square. But there’s a way to get that sense of community back, and many churches are leading the effort by spearheading mixed-use campus developments. If you’re thinking about building a new church, you should also consider buying land in excess of what’s needed solely to accommodate your main church facility.

In the simplest scenario, your church can sell off excess land — possibly at an increased rate — which means the remaining land practically pays for itself. For instance, purchasing land that has a fairly low zoning density, and working to get that land rezoned into a higher density, suggests the land is now more valuable by nature. Also, these types of higher-density zonings are generally more attractive to potential developers and buyers.

Leasing provides the benefit of added flexibility because the church maintains long-term ownership. In a lend/lease scenario, significant funds can be generated for your ministry for the length of time the lease is in place. It’s a long-term investment that can potentially pay large dividends over time, again providing your church with added flexibility to adjust to the changing needs of your ministry.

If you’re thinking of retaining ownership of the land and being involved with its development, other potential scenarios include co-developing the land with a residential mixed-use developer or acting as the master developer yourself.

With your church acting as the master developer, you can establish architectural guidelines and a level of quality for the entire community. You can even dictate specific uses on the site (and also not allow certain uses that aren’t compatible with your ministry). This is an opportunity to capture the community spirit and feel of our old small towns anchored by the center-square church.

Probably the most important benefit to developing a mixed-use campus is that it provides an avenue for the church to integrate into the community in ways Sunday services can’t accomplish on their own.

For instance, how much more could you achieve if you created a community where a thriving daycare and/or preschool serves the needs of community, and also provides classrooms for nursery children on Sundays?

Residential components to development can provide independent senior living — and even assisted living, up to skilled nursing care — allowing your church’s population to gracefully age onsite.

Co-developing provides income and opportunities with less commitment and involvement. Depending on who you work with, the primary responsibility may be assumed by the developer. That developer might be able to help you with land entitlements, rezoning, and even funding to help pay for infrastructure development. (Understand, however, that you should still maintain close involvement with the project.) Co-developing can provide an opportunity for smart ways to share services and/or infrastructure needs. If you’re thinking about building a new church, not only will you have to think about the cost of the facility itself, but also require expensive new intersections, utility connections and other infrastructure costs.

Wouldn’t it make more sense to think about your long-term plans for the entire site and how you can share upfront development costs, thereby minimizing your portion and allowing you to put tithes and offerings towards your ministry?

A land purchase of 50 to 100 acres is a big number, but enough to provide the right density to create community.

Next, embark on developing a master plan for your site. This provides standards and guidelines to development, ensuring it’s well-managed for generations to come, and will meet your overall goals.

Whatever scenario you think might be right for you, remember the importance of the master plan. It provides an executable plan for the future and will help you build bridges to the community at large.

By looking beyond just your facility, you have the opportunity to be “salt and light” to many more people. You can become a steward of God’s environment, making sure you’re enhancing the land and providing something for the community as a whole.

Douglas A. Spuler, AIA, LEED AP, is a principal of RNL Design, an integrated full-service architectural firm with offices in Denver, Phoenix and Los Angeles. Spuler, who joined the firm in 1994, leads the church/parachurch market. Reach him by calling 303.295.1717 or by e-mail at doug.spuler@rnldesign.com.