🧭 Legacy Church Building Ministry Use Plan

Topic 8.4 Worksheet

Purpose

This worksheet helps a legacy, plateaued, rural, pastorless, or restarting church prayerfully evaluate how its building can become a community ministry center again.

Topic 8 of this course focuses on turning a legacy building into a community ministry center, including weddings, care, coaching, chaplaincy, prayer, micro churches, hospitality, safety, scheduling, insurance, and community use of church property.

The goal is not to make the building busy.

The goal is to help the building serve Christ, the congregation, and the community through trained leaders, clear policies, warm hospitality, and wise stewardship.

Part 1: Building Prayer Walk

1. Opening Prayer

Use this prayer before walking through the building:

Lord Jesus,
You are the Head of the Church.
This building belongs to you before it belongs to us.
Thank you for every prayer prayed here, every Scripture read here, every person comforted here, every wedding celebrated here, every funeral held here, every child taught here, and every act of service offered here.
Help us honor the past without becoming trapped by it.
Open our eyes to see how this place can serve your mission again.
Give us wisdom, safety, courage, humility, and love.
Amen.

2. Prayer Walk Notes

Walk through each room and answer the questions below.

Part 2: Building Condition and Readiness Review

3. First Impressions

When a guest enters the building, what does the building communicate?

Check all that apply:

☐ Welcome
☐ Peace
☐ Prayer
☐ Cleanliness
☐ Safety
☐ Confusion
☐ Clutter
☐ Neglect
☐ Warmth
☐ Outdated but loved
☐ Hard to navigate
☐ Clear Christian identity
☐ Closed-off feeling
☐ Hospitality
☐ Other: _______________________________________________

4. Building Readiness Checklist

Part 3: Mission Fit Review

5. What Is the Building For?

Write a one-sentence mission statement for the building.

Our church building exists to:

Example:

Our church building exists to support worship, prayer, discipleship, care, hospitality, leadership training, and community ministry in the name of Jesus Christ.

6. Approved Ministry Uses

Check possible uses that fit your church’s mission.

Worship and Prayer

☐ Sunday worship
☐ Prayer gatherings
☐ Scripture reading gatherings
☐ Worship nights
☐ Communion or sacramental/ordinance services where appropriate
☐ Revival prayer meetings
☐ Seasonal services

Discipleship and Training

☐ Bible studies
☐ CLI learning cohort
☐ Elder/deacon training
☐ Youth discipleship
☐ New believer class
☐ Marriage preparation
☐ Micro church training
☐ Leadership mentoring

Care and Hospitality

☐ Funeral meals
☐ Grief support gatherings
☐ Senior adult lunches
☐ Shut-in visitation preparation
☐ Prayer and care appointments
☐ Community meals
☐ Support conversations
☐ Hospitality ministry

Community Ministry

☐ Wedding ministry
☐ Funeral officiant ministry
☐ Life coaching ministry
☐ Ministry coaching
☐ Chaplaincy parish ministry
☐ Nursing home or hospital visitation coordination
☐ Community prayer space
☐ Local outreach events
☐ Food or benevolence ministry
☐ Micro church gathering
☐ Soul Center-connected ministry possibility

Other Possible Uses

☐ Homeschool gathering
☐ Ministry partner meeting
☐ Volunteer training
☐ Community education event
☐ Music or arts event aligned with mission
☐ Other: _______________________________________________

7. Uses That Need Careful Review

List any uses that may be possible but need more discernment, policy review, insurance review, or leader training.

8. Uses That Do Not Fit the Mission

List uses that should not be approved because they conflict with the church’s Christian mission, safety expectations, policies, or stewardship responsibilities.

Part 4: Room-by-Room Ministry Plan

9. Ministry Use Map

10. Match Ministry Spaces to Trained Leaders

Part 5: Hospitality Plan

11. Hospitality Readiness

Check what needs to be developed.

☐ Greeters or hosts
☐ Clear entrance signs
☐ Clean bathrooms
☐ Coffee or refreshments
☐ Welcome table
☐ Printed information
☐ Guest follow-up process
☐ Seating for elderly guests
☐ Accessible entrances
☐ Quiet prayer space
☐ Funeral meal hospitality team
☐ Wedding hospitality team
☐ Community meal team
☐ Child/family welcome plan
☐ Transportation or parking assistance
☐ Other: _______________________________________________

12. Hospitality Team

13. Hospitality Tone

What should people feel when they enter this building?

Check the top five:

☐ Welcome
☐ Peace
☐ Reverence
☐ Joy
☐ Safety
☐ Hope
☐ Dignity
☐ Warmth
☐ Clarity
☐ Prayerfulness
☐ Community
☐ Compassion
☐ Trust
☐ Other: _______________________________________________

Write one sentence describing the desired hospitality tone:

Part 6: Safety and Boundary Review

14. Safety Areas to Review

Check all that need attention before expanding building use.

☐ Child safety
☐ Youth ministry boundaries
☐ Vulnerable adult care
☐ Background checks where appropriate
☐ Two-adult practices for children/youth
☐ Bathroom access and supervision
☐ Emergency exits
☐ Fire safety
☐ First aid supplies
☐ Food allergies
☐ Kitchen safety
☐ Parking lot lighting
☐ Key access
☐ Transportation rules
☐ Digital privacy
☐ Incident reporting
☐ Abuse reporting awareness
☐ Medical emergency response
☐ Severe weather plan
☐ Building security
☐ Cleaning and sanitation
☐ Accessibility
☐ Other: _______________________________________________

15. Boundary Notes by Ministry Type

Part 7: Scheduling and Building Access

16. Scheduling System

Who will manage the building calendar?

Calendar manager: ______________________________________

Backup calendar manager: _______________________________

How requests will be submitted:
☐ Paper form
☐ Email
☐ Online form
☐ Phone call
☐ Board meeting request
☐ Other: _______________________________________________

How far in advance should requests be made?
☐ 1 week
☐ 2 weeks
☐ 30 days
☐ 60 days
☐ Other: _______________________________________________

17. Building Access Rules

18. Setup and Cleanup Expectations

Part 8: Insurance and Stewardship Review

19. Insurance Review Questions

This worksheet does not provide legal, financial, or insurance advice. Church leaders should consult appropriate professionals, insurance providers, denominational leaders, or local advisors when needed.

Ask your insurance provider or appropriate advisor about:

☐ Weddings
☐ Funerals
☐ Community meals
☐ Kitchen use
☐ Outside group use
☐ Children and youth ministry
☐ Transportation
☐ Coaching or care conversations
☐ Chaplaincy-related activities
☐ Special events
☐ Property damage
☐ Slip-and-fall risks
☐ Volunteer coverage
☐ Building rental or usage agreements
☐ Certificates of insurance for outside groups
☐ Security concerns
☐ Overnight events, if any
☐ Other: _______________________________________________

20. Financial Stewardship

Financial clarity questions:

1. Who approves fees, donations, or deposits?

2. Who receives payments?

3. Who records payments?

4. Who reports income and expenses?

5. How will benevolence or hardship requests be handled?

6. How will the church avoid favoritism or confusion?

Notes:

Part 9: Community Use Request Form

21. Sample Community Use Request

Name of person or organization requesting use:

Contact information:

Requested date and time:

Rooms requested:

Purpose of event:

Expected attendance: ______________________________________

Will children or youth be present?
☐ Yes ☐ No

Will food be served?
☐ Yes ☐ No

Will money be collected, charged, or donated?
☐ Yes ☐ No

Who is responsible for setup?

Who is responsible for cleanup?

Who is the on-site contact person?

Does this event align with the church’s mission and policies?
☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Needs Review

Approval decision:
☐ Approved
☐ Approved with conditions
☐ Not approved
☐ Needs more review

Approved by: ___________________________ Date: ___________

Part 10: First Three Ministry Pilots

22. Start Small

Choose up to three ministry uses to begin in the next 90 days.

Examples:

• Clean one classroom for a CLI learning cohort.

• Host one monthly community meal.

• Prepare the sanctuary for wedding ministry.

• Create one prayer and care room.

• Begin one grief support gathering.

• Host one Bible study or micro church gathering.

• Use the fellowship hall for senior care ministry.

23. 90-Day Building Ministry Action Plan

Month 1: Pray and Prepare

☐ Conduct building prayer walk.
☐ Complete building readiness review.
☐ Identify one to three pilot ministries.
☐ Clean and prepare first ministry space.
☐ Review safety and scheduling needs.
☐ Identify leaders needing CLI training.

Notes:

Month 2: Train and Organize

☐ Begin relevant CLI training.
☐ Draft or update building use policy.
☐ Assign hospitality, setup, cleanup, and scheduling roles.
☐ Review insurance questions with appropriate provider or advisor.
☐ Prepare the first ministry pilot.
☐ Communicate clearly with the congregation.

Notes:

Month 3: Launch and Review

☐ Launch first pilot ministry.
☐ Welcome guests or participants.
☐ Track what went well.
☐ Track what needs improvement.
☐ Review safety and hospitality.
☐ Decide whether to continue, adjust, or pause.

Notes:

Part 11: Ministry Review After Each Building Use

24. Event or Ministry Review

Event or ministry: ______________________________________

Date: _________________________________________________

Room used: ____________________________________________

Leader responsible: ____________________________________

Review Questions

1. Did this use align with our Christian mission?
   ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Unsure

2. Was the space prepared well?
   ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Needs improvement

3. Were people welcomed with dignity?
   ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Needs improvement

4. Were safety expectations followed?
   ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Needs improvement

5. Were setup and cleanup completed?
   ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Needs improvement

6. Did any incident, concern, or conflict arise?
   ☐ Yes ☐ No
   Notes: ___________________________________________________

7. Is follow-up needed with anyone?
   ☐ Yes ☐ No
   Follow-up person: ________________________________________

8. Should this ministry continue?
   ☐ Yes
   ☐ Yes, with adjustments
   ☐ Pause for review
   ☐ No

What did we learn?

Part 12: Final Building Ministry Statement

Complete this statement after finishing the worksheet.

Our church will honor the past by using our building for future mission. In the next season, we will focus on these building-based ministries:

We will prepare these spaces:

We will train these leaders:

We will review these safety, scheduling, insurance, and policy needs:

Our next faithful step is:

Final Prayer

Lord Jesus,
Make this building a place of prayer, welcome, truth, healing, discipleship, and mission.
Help us steward every room with humility and wisdom.
Protect the vulnerable.
Guide our leaders.
Train our servants.
Open doors for gospel witness.
Let this place no longer speak only of what once was, but of what you are renewing now.
Amen.