Your church facilities are likely the most underutilized asset that sit empty most of the week. Leveraging your space during the week for your community could not only allow you to meet people who would never try a worship service, it can meet one of the most important psychological needs humans have.
Sociologists call these gathering spots “third places.” They’re not home (first place) or work (second place), but spaces where relationships happen naturally — coffee shops, libraries, parks. Your facilities can be those places, shaping community life and building trust long before anyone attends a Sunday service. And, you don’t have to turn into a Starbucks to make it happen.
1. Co-Working Spaces
Since Covid, many people have transitioned their workspace from an office building to a desk in the corner of their bedrooms. That has proven to be very detrimental to mental health for many of them. As a result there has been a rise in co-working spaces like WeWork and Industrious. Yes, these offer actual offices for rent, but all of them have a way of paying for access to common spaces and book a private room when they need it.
One of the most important features of these businesses is their focus on hospitality and community. They will have a basic breakfast like oatmeal, cereal or another grab-and-go option, a refrigerator stocked with drinks and networking events/happy hours where the people who work there have the opportunity to socialize.
Churches have all of that already. Imagine if you could up your internet speeds, put out some comfy chairs and tables, and let people grab a Sunday School classroom for a private zoom when they need it. You could even charge a nominal fee to make sure you can cover snacks, soft drinks and coffee. You are creating a space to help with the epidemic of loneliness and support small business.
And if you need to see it in action? White Rock UMC in Dallas has The Mix and Bethesda UMC in Asheville has the Haw Creek Commons.
2. Preschool Cafe and Community Space
Many churches have families entering and exiting every day to drop children off at their preschool and never connect with those families. What if you transformed the space they walk through to drop off and pick up into an inviting community space with good chairs and good coffee? And to take it to the next level, you could have a church leader present there coordinating a first day of school donut event or a quick parenting tip talk from a local LMFT once a month.
If it works to position this space away from the kids in a more public entrance area, this could be the first step in introducing a community hangout space like you find in a local coffee shop with a “bring your own latte” policy.
3. Outdoor Community Areas
Many churches spend a lot of time (and money) cutting grass and keeping their outdoor area beautiful. These outdoor spaces can be transformative for a community when made accessible and welcoming. Whether you install a gravel walking path for people to get their steps in, a shaded spot primed with trash cans and tables for picnics or work with your insurance company to be able to open your playground to the community, neighborhood parks can attract the locals and help them find community on your church grounds.
You might also be able to get funding to make this happen. Grants like the “Our Town” grant and Kaboom!’s community build partnerships might help you take your project to the next level in addition to any district grant opportunities that might be available.
The Kingdom Impact of Open Doors
Opening your facilities for everyday community life changes how your neighbors see you. You’re no longer just a Sunday destination — you’re part of their weekly rhythm. Relationships begin over coffee, shared work time, or a neighborhood project. Trust builds. Seeds of faith are planted in conversations that might never happen in a pew.
Your building doesn’t have to be empty most of the week. With intentional hospitality and creative thinking, it can be an anchor for neighborhood life — a living, breathing expression of God’s welcome.
The Rev. Jeremy Steele is Next Generation Minister at Christ United Methodist Church, Mobile, Alabama. He is an author, blogger at jeremywords.com and a frequent contributor to MyCom, an e-newsletter published by United Methodist Communications.