Guiding churches through property projects
A Q&A with Jon Broome, Property Services Lead at Kingdom Bank.
Jon Broome , Property Services Lead
3 mins read
Jon Broome, Property Services Lead at Kingdom Bank, discusses how the Bank supports churches and charities with property projects.
Q: Why does Kingdom Bank offer property services for churches and charities?
Jon: The exciting part of offering Property Services is what it facilitates – helping churches get what they need from property to serve their mission. Whether leasing, acquiring a new building or repurposing an existing building, our goal is to ensure property projects serve gospel priorities. It’s not just about acquiring a building, but about making sure the space supports the mission effectively.
“It’s not just about acquiring a building, but about making sure the space supports the mission effectively.”
Q: What are some of the biggest challenges church and charity leaders face when taking on property projects?
Jon: Leading a property project comes with significant challenges.
First, property projects in churches aren’t common, so leaders often have limited experience managing them.
Secondly, they’re also dealing with unique governance structures – committees or congregational decisions – which can slow down property transactions. This can make negotiations in the commercial property world tough when buying land or property.
Thirdly, when buying land or buildings it can be difficult to project credibility with property agents. There are multiple mistakes that can be made inadvertently which will set you back.
Finally, there’s the need to balance the ministry vision with practical realities. Churches are also charitable organisations, so they need to comply with charitable regulations and demonstrate they have managed risks well, aside from covering other compliance matters such as laws around disposal of charitable assets, health and safety, planning laws etc— And, of course, church life doesn’t stop during a project. Weekly ministry and pastoral care still need to happen, which can make managing the demands of a building project even more complex.
Q: What are the most common pain points for churches and charities in property projects?
Jon: Maintaining the vision for a suitable building to grow their ministry whilst ensuring ongoing operational costs are not compromised. There is often a funding gap and it’s exciting to see when that can be creatively bridged whilst not putting unwise stress on the church family. Balancing godly ambition, vision, and faith with realistic budgets is crucial.
Timing is also a hurdle. Churches often underestimate how long a project will take or set unrealistic deadlines, which can lead to frustration among congregations. Starting a project too quickly can cause project fatigue long before it’s started, let alone finished.
“Balancing godly ambition, vision, and faith with realistic budgets is crucial.”
Q: Given those challenges, how does Kingdom Bank seek to help?
Jon: We offer a full range of services to support churches and charities in their property journeys. Whatever the project, leasing, acquiring, extending, etc, we’re here to guide through each step. Our team handles everything from negotiating leases and helping with purchase agreements to advising on long-term sustainability and compliance with charity laws.
In addition, we connect churches with trusted professionals such as architects, surveyors, and engineers, planning consultants, mechanical and electrical consultants, AV specialists and others, ensuring that all aspects of a project are covered. We also provide support on project management, keeping timelines and budgets realistic, and making sure the property strategy aligns with your ministry’s goals.
Q: Can you share more about your experience and credentials in this field?
Jon: I’ve been working in commercial property consultancy for over three decades. Before joining Kingdom Bank, I worked as a property consultant, advising owners and occupiers on commercial property transactions across the UK in the office and warehousing sectors. I’ve also been a property trustee for various trust boards helping guide churches and charities on property projects and have been a church leader for over 20 years so have an understanding of the unique challenges churches face. At Kingdom Bank, I’ve been able to combine this experience with our specialist knowledge of church governance and finance, so we can provide churches with a tailored service that meets both their spiritual and practical needs.
Q: How is serving churches different to serving your previous commercial clients?
Jon: Church property projects are tied to ministry goals, not just financial returns. A church isn’t just building a space; they’re creating a home for ministry, outreach, and community engagement. That means the project has to serve a different kind of long-term vision.
Q: What are some trends you foresee in church property projects over the next decade?
Jon: I see a few key trends emerging:
First, environmental credentials and energy efficiency are becoming more important. Churches are looking for ways to make their buildings more eco-friendly and energy efficient, especially in terms of heating and lighting. Big, lofty spaces can be expensive to heat, so choices shift towards cost-effective, eco-conscious options.
Another trend is maximising the use of church spaces. Churches are increasingly wanting their spaces to be multi-functional. This also supports them hiring their buildings to community groups or other organisations during the week. This not only generates income, but also brings more people into the church environment.
Accessibility will also continue to grow in importance. Churches are mindful of making their buildings welcoming for people with various disabilities.
“Our goal is to help churches and charities use property as a tool to advance their mission.”
Q: What is the ultimate goal for Kingdom Bank’s Property Services?
Jon: Our goal is to help churches and charities use property as a tool to advance their mission. We want to see buildings used to serve the gospel, not to unhelpfully dominate a church’s agenda. We’re here to make sure churches are well-equipped to manage their property projects effectively, in a way that supports their ministry and helps them grow.
About the author
Jon is Kingdom Bank’s Property Services Lead. He is passionate about using his many years of experience as a Chartered Surveyor to support church leaders in making property work for their mission.
Jon Broome, Property Services Lead