Resources

Learn more about capital planning and funding services with resources from DCEF.

From investment opportunities to building planning, Disciples Church Extension Fund offers congregations more than 135 years of capital planning and funding expertise and experience. That’s why our resources are designed to provide you with accessible and detailed information about our various services. As your partner, DCEF is here to help your church by sharing our knowledge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? We'd love to answer them.

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Hear from our customers

Wakonda Christian Church, Des Moines, IA

“Disciples Church Extension Fund was very thorough with the evaluation of our church and potential building improvements and needs in the future. The evaluation report was quite extensive and included details we hadn’t thought of in the past. The expense was quite reasonable and very much worth the investment. This was one of the best steps we’ve taken in looking ahead to our church’s future and maintaining a quality facility for our congregation.”

Deene Ehlis
Chair, Long Range Planning,
Wakonda Christian Church, Des Moines, IA

Planning Guides

Is your congregation considering a new building or capital improvement project? These Disciples Church Extension Fund Planning Guides are designed to help you get started:

Holy Places Grant and Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment Grant

The Holy Places Grant helps new and established Disciples congregations purchase a lot to build their first house of worship or their first church building. The grant is intended to provide a “boost” to a congregation to support its long-term sustainability. 

The Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FFE) Grant helps new Disciples congregations to provide financial resources to support their operating costs. The grant is intended to provide a one-time “boost” to a new congregation to support its long-term sustainability.

Pandemic Informed Ministry

Like so many non-profit and faith organizations, Disciples congregations still require building and financial support throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Stay connected with the most recent updates from Disciples Church Extension Fund and find the resources you need to take care of your congregation, building, and finances. All in one place.


Advice from our Building and Capital Services Advisors


Our expert congregational advisors work closely with communities of faith to ensure that their buildings are aligned with their mission, that they can find the funding they need for church projects, and that they can reach their fundraising goals. The Ask the Advisors blog post series answers common questions faith communities are asking themselves right now about tech upgrades, budgeting, and more.


New Church Ministry

New Church Hacks is a webinar series that helps new church leaders solve their tricky problems in each episode.

Trauma-informed Ministry in Pandemic Recovery

United Church of Canada
Under the full communion agreement with the United Church of Canada (UCC), clergy can move freely between both denominations and each other's sacraments are recognized.

Tips and resources for members and congregations
Safety considerations for reopening of the buildings and in-person worship during the pandemic

Insurance Board
Insurance Board is a nonprofit organization that administers a church property insurance and church liability insurance program for congregations in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada, among other denominations.

COVID-19 Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The CDC conducts critical science and provides health information that protects the United States against health threats, and responds when these arise.

COVID-19 Resources
CDC Guidelines for Cleaning and Disinfecting your Facility

Public Health Agency of Canada
The Public Health Agency of Canada is a federal institution that partners with others to prevent disease and injuries, promote good health, and provide information to support informed decision-making.

COVID-19 Resources
COVID-19: Letter to faith community leaders from Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer

Ministry Matters
Through its blog posts, articles, and book reviews, Ministry Matters offers inspiration for pastors, teachers, and worship leaders. This ecumenical collaboration outlines benchmarks for worship together, planning of worship, resuming of worship, sacraments and pastoral rites as congregations begin thinking of moving back into their facilities.