Church Buildings for Collaborative Partnerships

“Congregations should see their buildings as assets, not burdens” – Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows

Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows

Since her graduate studies at Cornell University, Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows has written about the important role church buildings have in revitalizing downtown communities. Currently serving as Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis where she oversees 48 churches, she  continues working to preserve older churches while bringing new life to their communities.

Sally Hicks, Faith & Leadership’s managing director, interviewed Bishop Baskerville-Burrows in her February 11, 2021 article: Congregations should see their buildings as assets, not burdens. In the interview you learn questions to ask to assess the vitality and possibility for ministry of a congregation. She teaches us how our historic buildings are tied to the congregation’s mission — how our buildings can be used by neighboring communities, such as food pantries, meal programs, and health care programs.

By preserving and answering to the needs of the greater community, we also can preserve our congregations and our historical buildings.

Sally Hicks’ interview with Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows was originally published by Faith & Leadership  and can be accessed online on the Episcopal News Service website at https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2021/02/11/bishop-jennifer-baskerville-burrows-congregations-should-see-their-buildings-as-assets-not-burdens/