Mission Statement "Helping Build the Church and Helping the Church to Build" .

In faithfulness to our baptismal covenant and our mission as the church to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ and in recognition of the importance of place and space for worship, proclamation and service, THE MISSION of the Episcopal Church Building Fund is to aid in the building, improvement, and repair of churches, rectories, parochial, and diocesan buildings by providing assistance in planning and loans, and to aid in the development of congregations through providing training, education, and resources.

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About ECBF

The ECBF Yesterday

The Episcopal Church Building Fund (ECBF) was founded in 1880 to respond to the expansion of the Episcopal Church throughout the United States and the subsequent church building projects. Through individual and diocesan gifts a revolving loan fund was established to fulfill the mission of "Helping Build the Church and Helping Church to Build."

ECBF loans have met a variety of needs over the years. Early on, and continuing in some areas, churches were viewed as high-risk customers. Today some communities do not view churches as desirable neighbors and raise issues of traffic, parking, social ministry clients, and lost tax revenue. Church based funding has been critical when bank terms are unfavorable, unavailable, or evidence of church investment is required.

Since it’s founding the ECBF has been autonomous and self-supporting. It receives no operating funds from General Convention or other sources. Operating costs are covered through the interest earned in building loans and investments. Growth of the revolving loan fund continues to rely on contributions and investments.

An ECBF borrower has never defaulted. How? Loan applications are reviewed closely to ensure that there is a viable plan of repayment. Why? Enabling a congregation to encumber more debt than it can service does not encourage health and growth. We provide planning with each applicant to ensure that the project and the loan request are appropriate to the congregation. The issue of congregational vitality is addressed along with building needs.

The ECBF Today

"Helping Build the Church and Helping the Church to Build" is accomplished through financing and educational resources. The revolving loan fund has grown to over $5.5 million. To augment our loan capacity a debenture program was established, providing congregations, dioceses and the national church a place of investment that also supports the church.

How are ECBF Rates Determined? You may have noticed that when the market is high and volatile, ECBF rates are lower and don’t often change. When market rates are low, ECBF rates are moderate and don’t often change. Our rates will likely never match market highs or lows. Since ECBF operations depend upon interest earnings and investment return there is little room for rate variation. We borrow and loan at a fixed rate. Investors in the debenture program expect a reasonable return; often yielding the ECBF a spread as little as 1%.

What Besides Money Does the ECBF Provide? Money makes a building project possible, but doesn’t address a buildings’ relevance to ministry. Educational resources on planning the building project, congruence of the building to the congregation and ministry, congregational vitality, and growth are provided through written and video materials, workshops and consultations. Staff consult with many congregations over the telephone about process, conflict, and design. Initial renderings will be evaluated by staff upon request.

Upon diocesan invitation the ECBF President, the Rev. Charles N. Fulton III, presents on issues of congregational health and development at diocesan conventions and day-long workshops on the building planning process.

The ECBF produces four resources available for order .

ECBF Loans
The ECBF loans funds for building projects related to the construction, improvement, repair, or purchase of land and building, including churches, rectories, parochial, and diocesan buildings. LOAN TERMS and APPLICATION process.

Congregational Development
Wonderful buildings are only wonderful when filled with members engaged in ministry. The ECBF developed an expertise in congregational development and now focuses on both the development of congregations and the properties that support their ministries. In 2001 the ECBF President was asked to serve as the Director of Congregational Development for the Episcopal Church Center. Initiatives include:

• Administering the Episcopal Church’s new focus on research
• Organizing a forum for diocesan staff that are responsible for congregational development.
• Developing an interactive web site that will provide downloadable resources on congregational development, relevant to the size and location of the congregation.
• Conducting the Start Up!Start Over! Congregational Development Seminar. This five-day training on the basics of congregational development is designed for clergy and laity, preferably in teams. The training is for those planting a new church, those seeking new life for congregations where growth is in a plateau or has declined, and for thriving congregations ready for their next step.
• Conducting the !Upward Bound! Advanced Training for Congregational Development. This five-day training addresses the components of a self-differentiated leader and prepares the congregational leader to lead through change, decisions, and conflict.