Choosing a Facility - Logistics

*We originally ran the blog series in 2007. Since I'm on vacation this week (and we're in the middle of launch season), I thought we'd run it again. Hope it's helpful!).

The idea of portable church is not only an American phenomenon; it is a global one, with millions of people being impacted for Christ every weekend. In North America alone, we estimate that there are 24,000 portable churches on any given weekend, impacting more 6,000,000 lives for Christ.

In our seventeen years of existence, we’ve seen churches meet in a variety of places. We’ve seen planters and pastors envision ministry where few have gone before, and have helped them meet in places as unusual as bowling alleys, casinos, zoos and, yes, even funeral homes.

Choosing the right facility for your new site or church plant can be daunting. You want the facility to be recognizable, navigable, relevant plus you want to be able to enhance and encompass your church "personality". Ron Sylvia pastor of Church @ The Springs in Ocala, FL & church planter coach tells his planters “We shape our buildings and then our buildings shape us.”

When setting out to find your place of ministry, there's a few things to consider. As you tour the facility, look at it not only from an aesthetic point of view, but from a logistical point of view.

• Is there ample parking for the # of Adults I hope to engage?
• Is there ample space for the # of Children we anticipate?
• Am I happy with the atmosphere here (what does it smell like, look like, feel like)?
• Does this building have good history within my community?
• Is this building accessible for families, single parents, visitors?
• Can this building be found easily?

As your surveying the facility, make sure to check on and ask questions about electrical capacity of the rooms in which you will be running multiple media. Depending on the type of rental facility, age of facility and accessibility of the facility - electrical capacity can vary and, in some cases, be very limited. Begin some initial conversations with your potential landlord so you're aware of possible obstacles to current or future growth. Later, when your Portable Church® Consultant arrives, he will will gauge the capacity and work with you (and in some cases your landlord) to get you what is needed.

Tomorrow, we'll talk about the nuances of using your facilities' equipment or bringing in your own solution and how that may impact your final facility decision.

If you have any questions about these items, feel free to contact one of our Project Managers - Jesse, Kevin and Matt are standing by! 800-939-7722.