Closing Costs:

Reimagining Church Real Estate for Missional Purposes

For decades, many different denominations have experienced devastating declines in attendance, finances, and influence. Thousands of church leaders have watched their congregations grow older, smaller, and, in many cases, whiter than their surrounding communities. Rising costs and decreased giving make it virtually impossible to sustain the staff and fabric of these organizations—let alone their spiritual mission. But all hope is not lost.

In a clarion call that demands death to bring new life, Dominic reiterates how the local church is tasked with evaluating and ultimately sacrificing all their resources—including underutilized real estate—to bring healing and hope to the poor, marginalized, and disenfranchised. By reimagining their church spaces, congregations can experience revitalization as they grow to better embody their missional purpose.

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Closing Costs: Endorsements

“After the Torah, the books of the Kings, and the Prophets come the books of Wisdom. That is the section where I would place Dominic’s book on reimagining church real estate. He offers very pragmatic wisdom strongly tied to the discipleship of following Jesus and equally tied to the mission of the church. Dutra uses his gifts and experience well to provide a missional conversation about property that is, above all, healthy and faithful.”

—Gil Rendle: Consultant, teacher, and author of Quietly Courageous

“Closing Costs is the book your church needs, no matter its size, location, or denomination. I work with hundreds of lay and ordained leaders in The Episcopal Church, and almost everyone is worried about finances and long-term sustainability. Anxiety saps the energy we need for mission and ministry. What Dominic offers in Closing Costs is an approach that every church should consider. Nothing is lost and everything is gained in connecting with and serving local communities, using our spaces for the glory of God and the care of God’s people.”

—The Rt. Rev. John Harvey Taylor, VII Bishop of Los Angeles Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles

“This book is the fruition of his long career of helping institutions explore their purpose and mission for the future. Closing Costs: Reimagining Church Real Estate for Missional Purposes is a wonderful and timely resource that will benefit churches tremendously during this uncertain time for organized religion.”

—Dr. Kah-Jin Jeffrey Kuan, President and Professor of Hebrew Bible, Claremont School of Theology

“At a time when so many churches are dying, Closing Costs offers resurrection hope. Through inspiring real-life examples, a prophet’s piercing analysis, and the culled wisdom of decades of experience, Dutra exhorts struggling faith communities to remember their mission and deploy the wealth of their real estate in fulfilling their call to care for the wounded and needy in our world. As you walk the Emmaus Road of coming to terms with the impending death of your congregation, he is the companion that you want by your side.”

—Frank Rogers Jr., Professor of Spiritual Formation & Co-Director of the Center for Engaged Compassion at the Claremont School of Theology; Author of Compassion in Practice: The Way of Jesus

“Dutra lifts up three options that churches facing closure may want to consider: merging, leasing, or selling their buildings. He provides practical advice about how to do this well, but more importantly, Dutra calls us to focus primarily on mission and the good of our communities. Church death is not to be feared, for it presents an opportunity to give—and maybe even experience for oneself—new life.”

—Mark Elsdon, author of We Aren’t Broke: Uncovering Hidden Resources for Mission and Ministry

“Closing Costs provides a much-needed resource for churches facing a transitional crossroads. But this isn’t just a practical workbook, for Dominic grounds his thinking in the missional imperative of outward discipleship and community engagement in Jesus Christ. It’s a must-read for every lay and clergy member who faces an uncertain future—and that is all of us!”

—Bishop Grant Hagiya, Resident Bishop of the California-Pacific and Desert Southwest Annual Conferences of The United Methodist Church

“If you’re about to embark on a building project or a strategic plan, if you’re a member or a leader of a faith-based organization, if you’re searching for a way to integrate the sacred and civil, then you are ready to read Closing Costs.”

—Gladys Guenther, SHF

“It’s always hard for churches to face uncertainty. The decision-making process can be paralyzing. This book provides practical insight that opens up new opportunities that churches should seriously consider. I recommend Dominic not only as an expert in his field but also as a friend and fellow follower of Jesus.”

—Josh Wroten, Lead Pastor Grace Church, previous Director of Church Planting for Venture Church Network of Northern California