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We help make property ownership possible sooner for churches and church networks

For many churches, the benefit of owning a home early on for ministry is clear.
The challenge is putting the right funding in place to make the purchase possible.

01 — Status quo

UK churches and ministers are facing growing pressures

Financial strain

  • Rent for minister housing is often the highest cost item in church operation, a recurring expense year after year without building church wealth
  • Without housing support, the level of minister stipend is insufficient for providing for minister families and preparing retirement

Ministry strain

  • Unsuitable rentals put on unnecessary strain to minister families and limitations to ministry
  • Minister home near the church community is crucial for pastoral care and community outreach

02 — The challenge

The need for a home is clear,
the path to ownership is not

A broken wooden toy church, representing the property challenge faced by individual churches

Individual
churches

  • Bank mortgages have strict eligibility criteria, and it takes years to save up for sufficient deposit to enable a property purchase
  • Little or no denominational support in housing ministers in the rapidly changing environment
A fractured map of the UK and Ireland with wooden church markers, representing the challenge faced by church networks and denominations

Church networks
& denominations

  • Lack of financial resources to fund many congregations in the overall network
  • Unclear long-term strategy and lack of financial expertise for sound stewardship of resources

03 — The funding gap

Church
savings and
bank loans
are often
insufficient for
property
purchase

USES
Property value
Sources
Church savings
Bank loans
The funding gap
  • Cash available in the church's bank account from the congregation
  • Mortgages from high street banks
  • Limited loan-to-value due to the fluctuating nature of donation-based church income
  • Lengthy timeline before church savings grow to the necessary down payment level
  • Residential property prices outpace the average income growth of churches

SOURCES

Church savings

  • Cash available in the church's bank account from the congregation

Bank loans

  • Mortgages from high street banks
  • Limited loan-to-value due to the fluctuating nature of donation-based church income

The funding gap

  • Lengthy timeline before church savings grow to the necessary down payment level
  • Residential property prices outpace the average income growth of churches

04 — How we can help

Financial strategy and flexible loans to
help churches purchase homes sooner

A flourishing wooden church surrounded by spring leaves and flowers

Individual
churches

  • Deep-dive into the situation and financials to plan a pathway toward home ownership
  • Structuring a sustainable funding solution tailored to each church circumstances
  • Advising on fundraising targets, timelines, and funding applications, where relevant
  • Identifying and assessing properties suitable for its ministry requirements and budget
  • Negotiations with sellers on behalf of the church and assistance throughout the purchase process until completion
A flourishing connected map of the UK and Ireland with wooden church markers, leaves and flowers

Church networks
& denominations

  • Analysing the broader historical and projected financial position and assessing the existing property portfolio, where relevant
  • Recommending financial restructuring options as part of a long-term property and funding plan
  • Developing a wider portfolio acquisition strategy, including stakeholder communication support
  • Assisting with the transfer of property portfolio and refinancing to release liquidity as denominational support is phased out

Double Honour recommends finance only where it is viable,
sustainable and aligned with the church’s long-term interests

Start a conversation

Property ownership
starts with the
right strategy

We’d be glad to discuss your church or network and explore
the funding and support that could make it possible.

Contact us