The Psalter says something interesting about the significance of a home: “Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God” (Psalm 84:3). In the New Testament, Jesus tells the disciples they are more valuable to God than sparrows (Matthew 10:31, Luke 12:7). In the temple, even the humblest creature found a place to call home. So if the sparrow has found a home in God’s sanctuary, don’t we think that God cares about homes for human beings, too?
The need for affordable housing continues to grow in the U.S. with high interest rates and low inventory. Developing affordable housing might seem like an unrealistic endeavor for a church to tackle. However, it is possible, and some congregations have done it successfully. In recent years, more faith communities have come to the realization that not only does God care about housing, but they can also play an active role in solving housing problems in their neighborhoods.
Churches in rural and urban areas often already own the asset that is most difficult to obtain for any housing development: land. As the way we do ministry continues to evolve, some congregations will notice they have more building space than they need. Congregations that have experienced a significant decline in membership can explore ways to repurpose their buildings for residential use. God is a God who brings life out of death.
It’s important for church leaders to do their homework before tackling a housing project. Talk to church leaders who have done it before. Check out the resources in this week’s issue and be inspired. Who knows? Maybe God has called you to do this, too.
