"Too many pastors and church leaders have lost countless hours of sleep - and even lost their church buildings - based on what they didn't know before they obtained financing." Lisa Miller Autry makes this telling statement at the outset of her groundbreaking book, Holy Borrowers: Equipping Church Leaders for Building Finance. Through economic downturns and recoveries, church leaders have continued to struggle with decisions surrounding building finance - evidenced by undue stress, loan defaults, and even church foreclosures. Holy Borrowers is a much-needed road map for all church leaders and others who desire to become better equipped in financing a congregation's largest tangible asset: Their church building. Written from the unique vantage point of a senior banking executive and pastor's wife, Holy Borrowers delivers a wealth of resources not previously taught in seminaries, and which never should be learned "on-the-job." Addressing such critical topics as the role of faith, the "Five C's of Credit," unique lending requirements for churches, and best practices if a church loan "goes south," Holy Borrowers demystifies the bank's lending process. Moreover, the author provides church leaders the necessary tools to evaluate their church's financial position for themselves, before ever approaching a bank! Holy Borrowers is an invaluable resource for all those who lead their churches in the 21st century with no prior training in building finance.
