The Jubilee Program: An Innovative Solution for Struggling Churches

In recent years, we've seen a troubling trend of church closures across America. It's estimated that over 4,000 churches will close this year alone. But what if there was a way to preserve these churches' legacies and assets while transitioning them to new ministries? That's exactly what the Jubilee Program, created by the Southern Baptist of Texas Foundation, aims to do.

I recently interviewed Bart McDonald from the Southern Baptist of Texas Foundation about this groundbreaking initiative. The Jubilee Program offers a lifeline to struggling churches, helping them make good endings and embrace new beginnings.

What is the Jubilee Program?

Named after the biblical concept of Jubilee found in Leviticus and Deuteronomy, this program allows dying churches to transfer their property to the foundation. The foundation then renovates the property and transfers it to new ministries or congregations.

As McDonald explains, "We don't want to hold a Jubilee property in our possession any longer than it takes to get it back into the hands of the local New Testament church."

How It Works

The process typically unfolds like this:

1. A struggling church reaches out to the foundation.

2. The foundation assesses the church's financial situation and the viability of the location as a preaching point.

3. If accepted into the program, the church transfers its assets to the foundation.

4. The foundation pays off any existing debt and renovates the property.

5. A new ministry or congregation is identified to take over the property or the existing congregation begins to revitalize.

6. The new or existing church buys back the property at an affordable rate, ensuring their financial stability.

Success Stories

McDonald shared several success stories, including Maplewood Baptist Church. This predominantly white congregation had dwindled to just 25 members in a diversifying neighborhood. Through the Jubilee Program, the property was transferred to a thriving Black church plant called Creekside, which is now better positioned to minister to the changing community.

More Than Just Real Estate

What sets the Jubilee Program apart is its pastoral approach. McDonald emphasizes the importance of encouraging struggling churches: "The first thing I do with that group is I want to tell them that God is not in any way disappointed with them, that they're not failing."

This compassionate perspective, combined with sound financial principles, makes the Jubilee Program a unique and effective solution for church revitalization.

Lessons for All Churches

While the Jubilee Program is currently only available in Texas, there are lessons here for churches everywhere:

1. Don't wait too long to ask for help. Many churches approach the foundation when their resources are already severely depleted.

2. Be open to new models of ministry. Sometimes the best way to preserve a church's legacy is by passing the baton to a new congregation better suited to reach the current community.

3. Remember that church buildings are tools for ministry, not ends in themselves. The goal is always to advance God's kingdom, even if that means significant changes.

Conclusion

The Jubilee Program offers a hopeful model for addressing the crisis of church closures. By combining financial expertise with a kingdom-minded perspective, it's helping to ensure that valuable ministry assets aren't lost. As McDonald puts it, "If God's people will get together and prayerfully seek the face of God, it's been my experience that God's people will almost always do the right thing."

For struggling churches, the message is clear: there is hope, and there are options. Don't be afraid to reach out for help. Your church's greatest days of ministry impact might still be ahead – even if they look different than you imagined.