Ellen Chat Conversation

Ellen White viewed renting church facilities—either renting from others or allowing other denominations to use Adventist buildings—as an acceptable and practical arrangement, particularly in times of need or as a temporary measure. She specifically noted a case where an Adventist church was . In her writings, Ellen White described instances where sharing facilities served as a blessing to the community. Regarding the arrangement with the Presbyterians, she noted that while it "makes it a little inconvenient for us at times," the other congregation felt "very grateful for the privilege of using ours," especially after their own meeting house had been destroyed (21MR 79.6). This suggests that such arrangements can be a way to show Christian kindness and maintain good relations with other religious groups. Conversely, she also supported Adventist congregations renting facilities from other denominations when they lacked their own building. She explained that "renting a church is an acceptable, but temporary, arrangement" (PaM 241.3). For example, when the Oakland church was sold, the members "secured the use of the Congregational church" for their Sabbath services until "some more permanent arrangement" could be made (PaM 241.3). She also advocated for "renting a house" in cities to serve as a base for "medical missionary work" and Bible readings, showing a flexible approach to using available properties for the cause of God (PaM 139.1). For practical application, these examples show that while the ultimate goal is often to have a dedicated, debt-free house of worship, the use of rented or shared spaces is a valid way to ensure the work continues. It reflects a spirit of cooperation and resourcefulness in fulfilling the church's mission. In conclusion, Ellen White's counsel indicates that renting or sharing church buildings is a sensible solution for congregations in transition or those seeking to assist their neighbors in the community. --- 💡 **You might also want to explore:** • What did Ellen White say about the importance of dedicating churches free of debt? • How did she suggest cities should be worked through "mission houses" or rented homes? • What was her advice regarding the purchase of existing meetinghouses offered for sale? --- 📚 **hundreds of passages found** containing these search terms — [Explore in Full-Text Search](/advanced-search?q=renting+church+buildings)