“While they are still in “good standing” with the ECUSA, they could enter building programs in which they totally sell off old buildings, and enter into expensive mortgages on new facilities”
The church that I represent cares more for the continuing ministries than for the building. They can continue in a “Grange” hall or school on weekends since their ministries are carried out in homes and workplace. They also do not want to borrow under false pretenses just to pass on a huge debt. Their testimony is important in the community they minister to.
The point is not to saddle the denomination with a huge debt, which it would do. The point is to see HOW the denomination tries to wiggle out of the debt. Will they claim NOT to be in a true ownership status?
I see no problem with it. After all, they’re getting free buildings if they live up to their claim of being the owners of the property.
Some years ago, I was part of a large group (over 1000) that walked away from a facility valued in the 10s of millions (I heard $70 million mentioned at one point) to worship in a school.