Church in need of help!

Have you considered doing without a building and meeting in a regular (leased or rented) location in the area? There are some churches here in the Fort Worth area that do this and they seem to grow and thrive with the flexibility to move to larger surroundings without having to have a building program. Church plant are very expensive to build and maintain, so the costs to rent are not really that much different. Of course you would want to lease some office space so everyone would know where to find you and the pastor would have a place to study and meet with people. But nice office space should not be that difficult to find.

 

Bro. James Reed: I can do nothing to help you except pray, and ask God to be merciful and provide for you. Read Luke 1:37. Remember, God likes to work when things seem impossible.
With God's love,
Rick

 

Schools are often available for use on Sundays and they have class space, an auditorium and washrooms. Many new churches have started out this way. The pastor can always use his home for an office, study etc....We all made this sacrifice over the years.

God bless. The Lord does provide.

Cheers,

Jim

 

The church I have just become a member of started out in a garage. They bought one thing at a time. Now I am rough guessing there are about 250 - 300 members. Slowly but surely they add things on.

Sherrie

 

A number of churches in my town including my own SBC started out by renting the Seventh Day Adventist Church facilities just on Sunday, and a week night.

Karen

 

Being a Primitive Baptist myself I understand your problem... Are there not other Primitive Baptist Churches in your area that can lend you a worship area when they are not using it?

We sold our church building to a Black Primitive Baptist congregation with the understanding that we would share the building which was built in 1958. We have it on the 1st and 3rd Sunday and they have it on the 2nd and 4th. We also use their preacher on our 1st Sunday meeting and have known him along time. Actually its the best of both worlds... We are Little Bethany and they are Mt. Calvary. Their song service is a little different they line it and use a slower tempo... but there is no difference in the prayers and preaching.

Why don't you alternate meeting in each others homes if that is agreeable to all? That is one thing I really miss about the Primitive Baptist who I have been with almost 50 years... 35 years as a member. When we would go to associations and then stay over at someones house... There was always someone who wanted to take you home and if they came to your church you could return the favor... We Primitive Baptist have gotten away from that... Sign of the times I guess.

Brother Reed if you keep checking I'm sure other Primitive Baptist will come up with some ideas and maybe someone in your area. I will run this by Elder Amos Todd as he is the black preacher that preaches for us on the 1st Sunday... He is also very knowledgeable in the realty business and maybe he will have an idea!... Keep us informed... God is still in the miracle business ... Brother Glen Of The Primitive Baptist Brethren

[ December 19, 2002, 04:06 AM: Message edited by: tyndale1946 ]

 

Yes, finding a place to meet in todays inflated real estate market is a challenge and the only answer is trust the Lord.

In 1997 we were in desperate need of larger facilities, but lacked the funds to buy property, much less a building.

Then the Lord in his way provided. It took a flood, but we now have a beautiful facility and the Lord provided for the whole thing.

We had to learn a very valuable lesson first. We met in an art museum, motel meeting room, university lecture hall, and atmospherium.(now that was unique)

What we finally realized; the church is more than a building, it is the people who occupy the building.

A building is a convenience, not a neccessity. A people who have a mind to serve the Lord will find a way.

 

Bro. Reed, How do you know God doesn't want you in a bad area of town? Did Jesus only go to the upscale neighborhoods?

"Sorry Lord, but we had to move uptown. Too darn many sinners in the hood."

Sounds like you are trying to leave the very place you are needed.

MR

 

Hi there Bro. James;

Our congregation is part of Chartwell Baptist in Oakville, Ontario Canada. We have a main building which is owned where 3 congregations are housed. The other 3 meet in rented facilities. The two that rent local schools get charged about $2000 Canadian (approx $1300US) per month.

Our congregation, which is a ministry to the poor, rents an Anglican church for which we pay $100 per week.

The only problem is that we can't have a morning service, instead we meet for lunch at 1pm with the service following.

Renting is OK, but having to set up and tear down each week is difficult. My wife and I have been at this for almost 10 years now and it remains an energy drainer.

Blessings, Pastor Rich