I think that is a little inherent in human nature. In the Old Testament, the people used their talent and wealth to build a monument to Baal and God had it torn down. They built the tower of Babel and God had it torn down. They built the Jewish Temple and Jesus got angry with the way it was being used. Even more important, when Christ died on the cross, the Temple veil was ripped apart. And when the apostle Paul visited Greece, he said that he saw that they “believed in many gods” because they had made many artifacts to glorify their god.
All of this seems to tell me that the True God wants to be among His people! I see huge church buildings and “temples” by the Russian Orthodox, Lutheran, and Catholic people here in Latvia apparently built to try to glorify God. It is my thinking that God would be much better glorified by bringing more people to love Him through Christ and by teaching them and strengthening their love and faith. Now, I don’t mean to be preaching to the preacher! I think you know all of this. But I’m trying to make the point that we can get so carried away with buildings that we forget the most important part. On the other hand I fully understand that we can not expect people to come and worship and have fellowship with us if they are not comfortable and are cold and shivering. Let’s use the money that is given to God in what we think is most cost effective and acceptable to Him!
With that in mind, let’s start with some of what I see as the most important problems your District faces on buildings. Then we’ll work down.
Riga 2nd
This is a big building built as a typical design church and classified as a “historic” building. It has a bell tower and high ceilings and can really only be used as a church. Therefore, it has very little resale value. While there is big investment required to upgrade it to what I think would be an “acceptable level” and “do it right”, I see that you probably don’t have much other choice. It probably can’t be sustained by renting out much more than you already have. With a lot of investment, you may be able to improve on the land next door but then you just as well spend it on improving the existing building and hope that the land next door can help you some time in the future. I know that the existing congregation probably is not large enough to ever raise the kind of money required to do the extensive work required. Somehow, it will need to come as a gift or help from other congregations. Over a very long term, maybe the congregation can grow enough to sustain itself. I hope so!
Straupe
This building is located in a remote location and would be most suitable for a retreat center of some type but I doubt the District has a way to afford that. I fully understand that a lot of money and volunteer work has been poured into this building and the sister church may be offended, but I think the best option for the District is to sell it and use the money elsewhere. It would take a lot of investment to properly finish renovation and then I doubt there would be enough income to sustain it. There would not be much advantage in trying to fix it up to sell it because you can‘t predict the needs of the potential buyer. I also know that there is some thought that you need some type of retreat place to balance the East side of the District with the Wesley Camp on the West side but you would be better off to sell the building and spend the money on busing people to Wesley Camp.
Cesis
This building is sandwiched between two other buildings and is back away from a street where it can’t be seen and easily accessed. It is very hard to keep warm enough for worship and classes in the winter. The pastor tells us the sanctuary is sometimes nearly filled on Sunday mornings. The building would be very hard to properly insulate because of the adjoining buildings and because of the upstairs and downstairs (from the main floor) configurations. It was built for retail business space and still could probably be used as retail space. Therefore, it has resale value. I know that a volunteer team is coming to build a walk way around the front yet this summer. That walk way would probably add enough to the retail value of the building to be well worth it. My suggestion is to sell this building and look for another that would be more suitable for this congregation’s needs. I know they would like it near the city center because of transportation issues. Maybe there is a lot (land) to build on near it that would not be too much of a compromise. Then a new small building capable of being added to in the future would work. At any rate, I would recommend trying to get along in the present building as long as possible even if it means going to two worship services on Sundays. Then they could spend the money saved on a different building.
Liepaja
This building is fine but the immediate need is for a tenant and new heating equipment even yet this summer! Advice is to hire a professional to get it rented. Then hire a professional to properly assess the heating equipment needs both for this winter and for long term needs. It may require a short term patch of some sort but please look at the long term needs. Then there is other work that can be done over a longer period of time. The building is functional and can serve its purpose for some time to come but needs immediate attention.
Sarkani
We know this a rented building almost within walking distance of Liepa but is helping a small group, probably without much chance of the congregation becoming much larger. The greatest need for this building is a new source of heat. They should not continue to use the metal cased stove. It is not safe to use in the present condition. It would seem reasonable to purchase a stove with circulating fan so that the stove can be removed if they decide to move from the building at a future date. This should be done before the next heating season. Surely, the money can be found somewhere, even though I realize the congregation is poor and small and can’t afford it. Could they afford a portion so that they can feel that they are helping their own situation?
Matras
This is a beautiful little building that the congregation apparently started themselves and are very proud of. Their great need is for better electrical service and wiring. At least, if they had that, they could use circulating fans to help their heating situation. That should not be especially expensive if there is any way they can afford some professional help from the power company and contribute with experienced volunteer labor. However, it should be done right while doing it.
Kuldiga
The building needs a lot of work. It seems like a good improvable building that could be sustainable and serve them for some time to come. I know it is historical certified but I’m not sure how strict the regulations are on maintaining the same appearance. It mostly needs insulation and windows so that time and money is not wasted on energy and it needs a new heating system. Can the congregation sustain that kind of investment? Over the long term, I hope so!
Liepa/Hope Center
The building is bustling with activity and that is good. There are two congregations to support it and some outreach too. While the building could use some upgrade, long term pay-back is a question. Certainly more insulation and a septic system should be considered as a part of that question. Other investments are not so serious. Obviously, there has been a lot of expense and volunteer labor put into it already. It has some serious issues to consider in the long term but small upgrades will not be wasted.
Tasi
A rented flat is always a good option as a way to start. My understanding is that that there are issues with adequate heating which probably will need to be addressed soon. Because this building is in a somewhat remote area with questionable wealth and size, I think it will be some time before they can sustain the cost of a different or new building of their own. I understand the desire for, and the offer of suitable land for building a new building of their own. However, I question how soon the congregation could sustain that type of investment. It seems best to buy some new better stoves and playground equipment and save while stretching the time so that they can better sustain the cost for their own building. Otherwise, the new building may become their “god” as I mentioned earlier.
Riga 1st/Office
I think I understand the struggle but you seem to be putting up with the problems in a good way. Renting out portions of the building will certainly help in maintenance costs. There are some fix-up problems that should be addressed but the building is generally in pretty good shape, has had considerable investment, and seems sustainable by both the congregation and the District over a long haul.
Camp Wesley
Of course, this camp will not likely be self-sustainable for a long time. It will require investment by the District, Its individual congregations, and others for a long time. However, I’m sure the value of it in bringing others to God through Christ is unmeasurable. That seems evident in the stories I’ve heard about some of your young pastors and committed youth. Sure, some investment in improvements beyond the yearly maintenance would be a big help. Any donations you can obtain for this purpose will certainly help to glorify God.
Paplaka, Liepa 1, and Jelgava
These are all rented spaces and are serving a purpose, mostly in outreach to bring others to the faith. They seem to be pretty self-sustaining and are managing to stay afloat in some way.
I’ve tried to think of sustainability of the buildings by the congregations involved. That in no way relates closely to their ability to bring others to God through Christ. I’m in no position to try to evaluate that. It seems to me that the District Office, Camp Wesley, Riga 2nd, Hope Center and possibly Jelgava will need to be supported by donations of funds from the District congregations and others for some time to come. Hopefully Kuldiga, Cesis, Riga 1st, and possibly Matras can survive pretty much on their own sometime in the not-too-distant future and provide some donation to the District funds. That means Liepa would need to carry Sarkani, and Liepa 1 on their own and still contribute to the District funds and Liepaja would need to carry Tasi, and Paplaka and still provide some donation to District funds. Possibly, Riga 1st could help with Jelgava and still provide some donation to District funds.
I don’t know if that is the way you see it or not. It is just a summary of some of my thoughts in my effort to help.
In Christ’s love!
Clarence Harms