Multi-Site FAQs

1.  Why are we becoming a multi-site church?

We are becoming a multi-site church for three reasons: our mission, our people, and our place. Our first, and main, reason is our mission. We are gripped by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are compelled to spread God’s Good News as far and wide as possible. New sites are a great way to reach more people. Our second reason is our people. We are compelled to pastor our people more effectively. People come to our current campus for worship from 90 zip codes. New sites spread out over more zip codes are a great way to improve our ministry to our folks. Our third reason is our place. We have outgrown this campus’ capacity for effective ministry. Our current facility is designed to handle 1,200 people on a Sunday morning. We are already at least 33% over capacity! New sites will increase our capacity to welcome more people into the life of our church.

2.  Why are we currently looking to the North and/or West for the location of our first new site?

In our 2007-2012 Plan for Ministry, we have articulated a goal for three new sites in the next five years. So, Lord willing, we will eventually have sites on all points of the compass. We are focusing our current efforts to the North and/or West of our Douglas campus largely because of the location of our constituency. Many of our folks live to the North and to the West. Furthermore, the vast majority of people who have shown interest in starting the first new site live to the North and to the West.

3.  Why are we going to meet in Hersey High School ? Isn’t that to the east?

We are going to meet in Hersey for two reasons. First, after a three month search for rental property, a search that involved 15-20 hours of research per week, we discovered that Hersey was the only available location that will meet the needs of the new site. Second, Hersey High School is a temporary location for the new site. The Church Board is aggressively searching for a facility to the north and/or west. We are praying for a permanent location to be identified prior to the Hersey launch on September 7, 2008. We anticipate that the new site will meet in Hersey for one year.

4.  Why don’t we wait until we have a permanent facility before launching the new site?

We are not going to wait for two reasons. First, the existence of a vibrant group of us meeting in a temporary location is the primary rationale for purchasing a permanent facility. The church is people. Buildings exist to facilitate the gatherings of the people. Therefore, when buying is involved, people come first. Purchase comes second. The church should be people-driven, not be building-driven. Second, we have outgrown our current campus’ capacity for effective ministry. Congestion both outside with parking and inside with space is severely limiting our ability to grow. We have hit a growth ceiling here at Douglas . Moving 450+ people off of this site to Hersey will position us to be able to welcome more new people here and there. We feel compelled by Christ to share the Gospel with more people now, rather than wait until we find a permanent facility.

5.  How would I know if I want to be a part of the new site if we don’t know where it will be?

Our people will attend the new site for one (or more) of the following four reasons – mission, relationships, ministry opportunity, and preference. First, some of us will attend because we are gripped by the Gospel, want to spread it as far and wide as possible, and view the new site as a way to be on that mission. So, consider the possibility that God wants you to go on a local “mission trip” that is starting in Hersey, but will end up three to seven miles to the north and/or west of our current campus. Second, some of us will attend because people we know and like will be attending the new site. So, be sure to check out the information desk for a weekly update of who is committed to this mission. Third, some of us will attend the new site because we will have an opportunity to serve there that we don’t have here. So, be sure to talk to Scott Lothery (slothery@ahefc.org) or Josh Griswold (jgriswold@ahefc.org)  about the many ministry roles at the new site.  Fourth, some of us will attend because of a particular preference. For example…

  • I like the smaller “feel” of the new site.

  • I like being a part of new things.

  • I want to go to worship in a place that is less congested.

  • I want to worship in a more contemporary setting.

  • It is closer to my house.

We understand that last example of preference concerning geography is the primary concern of this FAQ. We also understand that Hersey is probably not closer to the houses of the eventual permanent location. So, the answer to this FAQ is that there are a number of reasons to go to the new site and, if you are concerned about geography, we are working on finding a permanent location three to seven miles to the north and/or west.

6.  How can I deceide whether or not to attend the new site?

Whenever a Christian is given the opportunity to discern what God might be calling them and/or their family to, the process can sometimes be a challenging one for people.  Though the below questions are not a formula or a check-list, hopefully they will be helpful in focusing your thoughts and prayers as you bring this decision before the Lord. 

  • Am I fully persuaded by the rationale – mission, people and place? 

  • Do I want to attend the new site?  If I am hesitant, what are my hesitations?  Are my reasons for not going overly selfish? 

  • Do I sense the Holy Spirit leading me?

  • Can I attend the new site with a servant’s heart, doing it as unto the Lord?  Is there a place for me to serve?

  • Are there people attending the new site that I want to continue in relationship with week by week?

  • Do I live to the North of Hintz Rd. and/or to the West of 53?

7.  What kinds of programs will the new site have?

While meeting at Hersey, we anticipate that the new site will have at least the following programs…

  • Two worship services @ 8:45 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. featuring contemporary music and the video preaching of Pastor Colin Smith

  • The same Sunday morning children and youth programs as our current campus

  • A café with coffee and donuts

  • Life Connections – a new kind of large group gathering that serves as a “landing strip” for new people and a connecting place for one another

We suspect that there will be other Sunday morning programs, but they will be determined by the Campus Pastor and the launch group.  Furthermore, all of the non-Sunday morning AHEFC programs will be available to people attending the Hersey site. 

8.  How much is the new site going to cost and how are we going to pay for the new site? 

The new site will cost approximately $350k for the first year.  This expense has been incorporated into the 2008-2009 AHEFC Budget.  We do not know how much the permanent facility will cost, but we anticipate a capital campaign in 2009 that will focus on purchasing a facility for the new campus, renovating our Douglas Campus and retiring debt.

 

More questions and answers to come