Books and Guides for Faith-Based Redevelopment
Looking to deepen your understanding of church property transition, affordable housing, or the spiritual and economic impact of land use? These recommended books offer thoughtful perspectives, practical tools, and stories from the field to help your congregation explore what's possible.
Whether you're just beginning or already taking steps toward redevelopment, these resources are designed to inspire faithful, informed action.
Building Belonging: The Church's Call to Build Community and House Our Neighbors
Written by a pastor in Charlotte, NC, Building Belonging explores how churches can respond to housing insecurity and division in their neighborhoods by offering both welcome and shelter. Drawing from the lived experiences of congregations across the country, John Cleghorn offers a theological, sociological, and practical roadmap for churches ready to transform their property and mission.
This book is a call to action for communities of faith to use their resources—land, buildings, relationships—to build belonging, foster justice, and house their neighbors. A powerful read for leaders discerning how to engage the housing crisis with compassion and courage.
Link: https://a.co/d/fkAEVHD
The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America
Written by housing policy expert Richard Rothstein, this landmark book explains how government decisions—not just personal prejudice—created and maintained segregation in American cities. An essential read for understanding the systemic barriers that affordable housing work seeks to address.
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Transitioning Older and Historic Sacred Places
This practical guide from Partners for Sacred Places helps congregations reimagine how their older buildings can serve their neighborhoods. It combines case studies, community engagement tips, and funding insights, especially useful for historic churches considering adaptive reuse or preservation.
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Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City
Through the stories of eight families in Milwaukee, sociologist Matthew Desmond offers a heartbreaking look at the housing crisis in America. This award-winning book shows how eviction fuels poverty and injustice, and why faith communities can play a role in housing stability.
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We Aren’t Broke: Uncovering Hidden Resources for Mission and Ministry
This hopeful and practical book by Mark Elsdon invites congregations to rethink how they use their financial resources for mission. Drawing on real-life examples, it helps churches discover overlooked assets, align money with values, and make faithful decisions—even without a redevelopment project in mind. A powerful companion to Gone for Good?
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Gone for Good?: Negotiating the Coming Wave of Church Property Transition
This powerful book from Rooted Good and editor Mark Elsdon brings together pastors, scholars, developers, and planners to help churches reimagine what’s possible for their land. It offers practical guidance on zoning, land justice, and community impact—ideal for congregations exploring mission-centered redevelopment.
Also recommended: We Aren’t Broke by Elsdon, which reveals hidden financial resources within congregations.
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