CFS Blog

Is your organization thinking of becoming a landlord? You’re not alone. We see various tax-exempt organizations, especially churches, weighing that potentiality. Many churches rent out their extra space, and growing congregations sometimes acquire extra space as they expand, so they can turn a profit on the excess. So, if your church or organization is in this boat, what do you […] Read More

Hate talking about money? Many church leaders shy away from this tricky topic because they’re concerned it may reinforce negative impressions people have about the church. But congregational giving is important in many ways-and not as common as you might think. According to our friends at Kardia Consulting, who’ve been coaching church leaders on stewardship/generosity issues for more than 16 […] Read More

More than a decade ago when John Snyder came to pastor Crossroads Community Church in Parker, the church numbered about 80 people. These days, Crossroads is pulling in more than 2,000 people per week and running four services. About three years ago, it was clear that Crossroads needed to expand. They’d moved to three services on Sunday mornings with an […] Read More

It wasn’t long ago that most people trusted their church leaders implicitly and without question. But that has changed. Several scintillating scandals involving high profile church leaders dampened public trust over recent decades. Having watched certain respected leaders fall from pillars of society to villains, many folks feel a bit jaded. It is therefore crucial for church leaders-not just pastors, […] Read More

Churches are so much more than houses of worship. They act as community centers, childcare centers and sometimes, even schools. Yet there’s more. Although churches don’t pay property taxes, they can be valuable drivers of local economic development in several ways. One economic impact that’s become more apparent with the rise of the megachurch involves location and church size. Churches […] Read More

As Easter Sunday approaches, consider the message your church’s landscaping, layout and signage are sending. In our last blog we discussed the importance of lobby space for churches to make a good first impression, saying a big “Welcome!” to newcomers and regulars alike. Now we’ll broaden the details surrounding that crucial first impression. Lobbies (aka fellowship space, atrium, café, etc.) […] Read More

Consider a tale of two churches: A young couple, relatively new in town and looking for a church home, walks into one, then the other. The first church is a little dingy, with outdated paint and fixtures and a sterile, cramped lobby leading to the auditorium. The carpet looks a bit worn and stained. The second church enters into an […] Read More

One of the key questions churches face when it comes to facility renovation or expansion is, “Where will the money come from?” If you’re prepared, your church has been saving for this day and has a nice nest egg already set aside. But building projects are expensive and, depending on your specific circumstances, paying cash may not be possible. Therefore, […] Read More

We work on a variety of projects-each custom and unique-but these days we’re especially excited about our new project with Grace Place Church in northern Colorado. Grace Place has outgrown its current facility in Berthoud, Colorado and hired us to lead it through the development of a larger church. But this project will be more than a just a church […] Read More

Growing Church Trend: Multisite Expansion We deal with a lot of vibrant, growing churches in our business, and they’re certainly not all alike. But one thing we know for sure: Many churches are choosing a similar way to expand these days. Multisite expansion is an increasing trend among the nation’s fastest growing churches. Several of our clients in Colorado have […] Read More

Advisors works closely with third party organizations to provide a complete service to our church clients. This month, we highlight Capin Crouse. Capin Crouse is certified public accounting firm. But more than that, they are a partner in ministry. Since 1972, Capin Crouse has been serving not-for-profit entities including churches, schools, and international missions agencies. They provide a full range […] Read More

Development Advisors is pleased to report that Flatirons Community Church, located in Lafayette, Colorado, just completed the purchased the former church facilities of Lookout Mountain Community Church in Genesee (Golden, Colorado). This highly visible property along I-70, will be the second location for FCC and is part of a plan to expand its reach along the Front Range and to […] Read More

Development Advisors is conducting a study of church growth; specifically quantifying the increase in attendance and giving that result from a relocation into a new church facility. This information will assist growing churches estimate future attendance and giving. Such data is invaluable for future facility planning. Having confidence with future income projections reduces the risk and the anxiety of increasing […] Read More