Permanence
It has been a prayer of ours for years to have a permanent space for the ministry of 704 Church and establishing ourselves in a permanent location will give us a greater ability to be a lasting presence in the community. Help us reach this goal!
It has been a prayer of ours for years to have a permanent space for the ministry of 704 Church. Since our launching on Easter of 2016, we’ve been able to worship at the local school, Indian Trail Elementary. We love that opportunity, as well as the relationship we’ve formed with the staff and students. But deep in our hearts we want to see this church impact the 704 not just for a few years, but for generations. Establishing ourselves in a permanent location will give us a greater ability to be a lasting presence in the community, for the 704.
While having a permanent location isn’t everything, it is significant. Here are five benefits of a permanent facility that I found helpful in our internal conversations.
Permanence conveys commitment. Having a permanent location communicates that we are committed to this local community. It says ‘here is a group that is for this area and here to stay.’ It will allow us to be a more visible part of the community, as more and more will see cars coming in and out, people coming and going, families and friends gathering several days a week. It’s one simple way the gospel becomes tangible in a community.
Permanence strengthens weary sheep. No more setup and teardown! Amen! Volunteer burnout is a real thing, and each week people spend countless hours and extend energy in unloading, loading, setting up, and tearing down. The portable church model is a gift, but it has a shelf-life. In finding a permanent facility, we can convert the energy that goes into setting up and tearing down into discipleship, mission, evangelism, and empowering of others.
Permanence increases opportunities. A “Sunday Only” facility limits our opportunities to identify, equip and empower the people of 704 Church. A permanent facility will give us a home base from which to foster and develop believers into the gifts and passions God has given them.
Permanence fosters community. A building doesn’t create community. It also doesn’t guarantee community. There are many church buildings with zero community. But by God’s grace, a building can foster community. Having a permanent location offers one more location for people to gather for Biblical community, to pray, to study the scriptures, to encourage one another. Not to mention childcare, a major obstacle to ministries within a family-heavy church, can be more easily managed within a permanent facility.
Permanence increases stability. Healthy growth comes from deep roots. This is certainly true spiritually, just as it is with a permanent space. Strength and stamina for spreading, reaching, and growing arise from a stable base. We’ve survived and grown some in the portable church model, but we are no longer interested in merely survival. We want the church to flourish for generations. We will never find our source of strength from anything or anyone but God, yet we see this as God’s provision for strength and stability during this new phase of life in 704 Church.