Church attendance has been declining for decades. But in a new kind of religious mystery, construction on churches and other houses of worship is booming.
In fast-growing Conroe, Texas, Pastor Josh Gosney and his wife built their Wake Church in a closed Kroger supermarket while renting space out for two connected businesses: a coffee shop and Oh Toodles, a childrenās play place. The new church building opened last year.
Gosney said the business trifecta helps cover the $6.5 million purchase and renovation costs while attracting new members.
āWhat if the building was created for the community to be a part of it during the week?ā the 35-year-old pastor said. āThat was the conviction from not only a discipleship standpoint, but from a monetary and
stewardship standpoint.ā
The development represents a surprising pickup: Construction of new religious buildings is on the rise, even as many churches in the U.S. close their doors each year. Church-building broadly waned for two decades starting in the early 2000s, reflecting a decline in Americansā
religious participation, changing donation habits and a shift away from the construction of huge megachurches...READ MORE
