A lot of elements in local churches are being considered business ventures. Our church has a senior citizen apartment house, a veterans home, condo like townhomes and some other buildings and construction.
The street where the church is located had become a strip where unsavory behavior was conducted. The city sold most of the property on the street to the church and the county assisted with funding and or tax breaks. I have not seen any derelict appearing person ( unsaved soul) wandering the area.
Our church has a lot of people delivered from various addictions. This situation seemed to make the community more valuable.
Indeed it does make your community more valuable. Good for you and your Church. Jesus said: "Occupy til' I Come!"
Simply put, take over the world do not let it take over you. God gave this Kingdom to us with full dominion. I'm not speaking of greed and materialism, but we are to rule and not be ruled by the sins of this world. Living the lives that Jesus paid and died for with His Blood.
God bless you for sharing this wonderful testimony felic1