University Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)/United Church of Christ in San Diego, CA is hard to miss.

Resting against the pillars that frame its front entrance is an array of rainbow doors, a nod to the congregation’s open and affirming stance.

The sound of children’s laughter can be heard next door, where Hillcrest Preschool, which is part of the faith community’s overall ministry, provides quality childcare at affordable rates. On the other side of University Christian Church (UCC)’s building is a construction site, where offices, a social hall, and a parking lot are being built for this bustling community of faith, in addition to housing for the city.

Seven years ago, however, the church’s future was more complicated. While worship attendance and congregational giving was growing, this place of worship would exhaust its reserves and endowment by 2023 if it continued spending money the way that it was. But thanks in part to our guidance, UCC is now living out its mission to embody God’s inclusive love more fully.

 

Dreaming of the future

In 2018, congregational leadership began to envision what God was calling them to be. They hired consultants, brainstormed ideas for their community of faith’s future, and analyzed its finances. As they planned, five options became apparent:

1. Operate as they had been until they ran out of money
2. Cut staff, and utilize a part-time pastor and volunteers
3. Sell the property and move
4. Try to better utilize their existing space and rent it out for additional income
5. Redevelop half of their property to enhance their income and sell the other half to a housing developer

In the end, they went with the last option — redeveloping the property that they retained while selling a portion of it to a developer to address San Diego’s housing crisis.

 

Faithful collaborations

Our ministry was the first partner that Senior Minister Rev. Dr. Caleb Lines considered for UCC’s building project. As a lifelong Disciple, he knew that Disciples Church Extension Fund (DCEF) could provide UCC with good loan rates and support as a general ministry of the denomination. Caleb met with former President Rick Reisinger and Building and Capital Services Advisor Rev. Rosario Ibarra, who both helped him think outside the box.

“They were willing to let us guide the process,” he recalls. “Rosario was incredible. Anytime I needed anything, she was there. She was an advocate for the church.”

With such a complicated process, DCEF’s assistance was invaluable. It allowed UCC to identify two phases for their project, both partially funded by the sale of half of the church’s property.

Phase 1

The initial phase, supported by a construction loan from DCEF, saw UCC tearing down its underutilized spaces, including their chapel, social hall, patio, and classrooms, to make way for new construction of a facility for nonprofit organizations, as well as a larger education building for its preschool.

The nonprofit facility is now home to the San Diego Climate Hub, San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus, and Amor Ministries, the latter of which builds the second most homes in the world after Habitat for Humanity.

“In constructing this building, we wanted to be guided by our core values,” explains Caleb. “At UCC, we strive to be good stewards of the earth. Our congregation is open and affirming, and its members practice peace and justice.”

Hillcrest Preschool, which was established by UCC in 1970, now stands on the former site of the church’s social hall and patio. Its increased capacity facility provides three classrooms for toddlers and five for bigger kids.

These buildings provide two income streams for the church, through tuition and rent, respectively.

A house across the street from the church provides the third income stream to the congregation as an Airbnb rental. When the property came on the market, DCEF lent the faith community a property purchase loan, which has since been paid off. Currently, the house not only offers short-term homestays, but also space for occasional group meetings.

The fourth stream comes from long-term investments held with Christian Church Foundation, which generate an annual income, and short-term investments with DCEF, which have a fixed-rate and maturity date.

“This was not just about developing income streams,” clarifies Caleb, “but about creating and strengthening relationships and partnerships. Community builds in places around the table.”

Phase 2

The second phase of the project involved remodeling UCC’s sanctuary building, which was in dire need of an update. While maintaining the basic flow of the facility, the faith community’s little used kitchen was turned into a break room, which has helped to foster fellowship among the church’s staff, volunteers, and partners. The church office was relocated to a room in the nonprofits’ building, which itself is connected to the sanctuary.

As for the other half of UCC’s property, the church was able to mandate in its deal with a housing developer that a certain number of the units would be designated for affordable housing.

 

The church today

As he thinks back on UCC’s initial five-year mark, which the congregation has exceeded, Caleb is proud of his faith community.

“We started thinking early enough and gave ourselves enough time to plan,” he recalls. “Lay leadership was great too. They helped the church think in a different way.”

He’s also proud of working with us as well.

“You caught the vision and were willing to walk with us along the process,” he says. “We never wanted a lender anyway; we wanted a partner.”

Does your congregation have a vision for its buildings and community? Contact your regional Building and Capital Services Advisor to plan your future.