Whether or not to finance a church project is viewed differently, depending on whom you ask. 

Some say that it cost so much more to build later, that it really saves money to go ahead and finance the project.  Others answer that it depends on market trends and the length of time it takes to pay off the debt, whether or not this is true. 

Some say the next generation ought to help pay for the building that they are going to use.  Others say that the problem with that line of thinking is that if the church is effective in reaching people for Christ, the building that is new and adequate today will likely be inadequate in 20-25 years.  It will be time to add on, build again, or even relocate. 

Some say you should build it now, build it big, and they will come.  Others say that the truth is, they will not come just because you have a new building.  People don’t attend a particular church for the building, they attend for the ministry they receive for themselves and their families.   Granted, a building is a useful tool in ministry.

I have been in building programs in each of the three churches I have pastored, prior to the one I now pastor.  In each of these, we have encountered church debt in order to build.  The debt was paid without any great difficulty, but after seeing some churches go through major building programs without encountering any debt, that would be my goal for future projects.