Land Announcement
Posted by Michael | Posted in Uncategorized | Posted on 28-02-2008
20
I’ve got a land announcement to make. Huge news.
We didn’t buy land, but another church did. Tabernacle Baptist Church announced last weekend that they purchased land off Douthit Ferry Road near Carter Grove Plantation. I think that’s a great move for that great church.
They will be close to Woodland High School where we meet (and where we are looking at property), and it just goes to show that the area out there is growing. Tons of homes and roads are going out that way. I expect to hear great things from TBC as they move forward with their plan to build. Welcome to the neighborhood, guys! And if you want to sell us your old building, let’s go!
I personally believe this is NOT good news. Within a two-mile radius of the intersection of Douthit Ferry and Old Alabama Road there are seven churches already. Woodland, the Catholic Church, Bethany, Creekside, First Baptist Church, Pine Grove, Heritage Baptist. I think that’s enough for the vicinity. I definitely do not see the need for one more. Do churches not believe that God wants them to meet in other areas of town? OK. That was facetious, but geez!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I need to correct myself. When I stated Woodland I meant Oakleaf. Hey, but Woodland’s not that far.
true…there’s churches all over the place around here. churches even outnumber banks and waffle houses.
A couple of things to remember. 1)Tabernacle needs a substantial amount of land to compensate for the growth they’re experiencing, which is not easy to come by. 2)Different churches offer different worship experiences. Just because there’s alot of churches in the vicinity doesn’t mean they’re all alike in their doctrine and the way they worship.
You spoke to my heart, when you said a building used in a multifuntional capacity. I know the building doesn’t have to denote “organized religion” but actually I find the “steeple” scary. I want something fresh, not the norm. My heart was challenged by the very idea of churches spending millions on buildings that are dark and cold a vast majority of the week, while the vast majority of people are still unsaved, unreached and their needs unmet.
Don’t know if “unmet” is a word but you get the jest.
I understand that Tabernacle has outgrown their current facilities, but I am confused by this move. I don’t think competition is what we need among churches. I’ve read your posts about wanting to have the best service and I don’t disagree with you on that aspect, but I do believe that churches should not be vying for other church members. We should be seeking non-believers. Is Tabernacle really doing that with this move? Now four of the biggest churches in this county will be within two minutes of each other. Tabernacle is moving because they want to grow. Will they grow in new non-believers? Or will they draw from the Oak Leaf, CFBC, and Heritage crowd? Or will people leave Tabernacle for those three? Will they really grow when all is said and done?
well, since we are a portable church, there’s no guarantee that we’ll stay on that side of town in the long term. i’d actually love for us to be in the center of town…say…like where Tabernacle is right now.
debbie,
right on…all of those churches out that way are pretty different. all on the same team, but pretty different in style and philosophy.
Jacob,
I bascially grew up attending TBC, but started attending another church in Dallas GA long ago. Now I attend OLC. I dont think TBC is moving in order to compete with other churches in the area. I recently read their statement to the members about the move and why they are doing it. TBC has clearly outgrown their facilities and land available to them. The price to purchase an additional 1/3 acre next to their facility is rediculous. They could purchase 2-3 acres in the new location for the same price. They are basically land-locked. In addition, they have had a plan to move and build way before OLC started. In terms of the location, when you start to draw a circle around downtown C’ville and start looking for land, the location is probably the first you come to with avail. land. In addition, with the growth that the area is experiencing, it only makes sense to move in that direction. So, I believe growth and reaching non-believers is their mission….not competing with other churches.
I think Jason is right on. I don’t think they are out to steal church members any more than we are. I’ve met Don (the pastor) and he’s a nice guy with a solid vision. They may look a little different than us, but they are doing some good work in the community. I consider the folks at TBC my team mates in Kingdom building work.
The only competition that any Jesus-preaching church has is the enemy, who is vying for every soul he can get.
Mike, I’m reading “In A Pit With A Lion”, AWESOME book. I know that NCC in DC is broadcasting into DC movie houses and that they have a coffee shop as their church front, much like several other church plants using the business idea you posted a few days ago.
I think there is an element to portability that is impossible to match with a permanent location.
There is a middle ground somewhere and I don’t think OLC fits in a Tabernacle style building. Like wearing white socks with dress shoes or a black belt with brown shoes. They match when paired correctly, but clash otherwise. It’s not that OLC and Tabernacle attenders “clash” it’s the style of worship and the building “clash”. The Tabernacle fits well with a steeple, lots of woodwork and crown mouldings, very nice carpet, and pews.
I picture OLC’s permanent location to look like a combination of a huge Starbucks with comfy chairs and a miniature Philips Arena decked out for a concert.
I think the church having a business lease office space during the week or operate a business is resonable dream.
Besides, God will make things clear.
I don’t think that TBC is moving to compete, but I do think that having these churches all next to each other would not be in the best interest of everyone involved. As far as where TBC should move, I understand their situation. I’m not sure where else is available. If OLC decides to use the TBC building (which I would be shocked if that happened), then I would feel better about reaching the community on the Tennessee Street side of town.
jon,
you’re right on. i’m not sure if tabernacle folks would be happy with all the renovations I would want to make, and the steeple would be the first thing to go.
we may just build a movie theater and try to rent it to AMC or Regal during the week.
Yeah, it wouldn’t make a lot of sense to pay a few million $$ for a building that perfectly fine and then gut it.
Wait a second.
You don’t need all of that space….
Obviously change the look of the worship center, but use it on Sundays, keep a few rooms for church offices and the kids areas, and then remodel the rest of the building as office space you can rent out.
I don’t get the whole things about not having a steeple on the church. This must be coming from the same crowd who think that there’s no place for a cross inside of a church anymore either. It’s a CHURCH for heaven’s sake; NOT a starbucks. If you leave out the cross, what’s the use?
jean,
i said steeple, not cross.
No one, no one, said remove the cross.
Steeples = blazers + ties. Many times we’re invited to events that say, “Sunday Dress”. I guess they’re assuming that everyone wears ankle length dresses and a coat and tie on Sundays? Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but there should be an emphasis that what you wear to worship doesn’t really matter. Steeples are a sign that you will be out of place in here if you’re in jeans and a t-shirt. They say, “come as you are” and then once you’re in, you need to start wearing the same thing as everyone else.
The same thing happens in these new, casual church plants, but on the other end of the spectrum. OLC started out much more diverse in appearance a couple of years ago, now it seems that everyone is wearing the same “casual” church plant uniform of designer jeans and un-tucked, button-down shirts. I love OLC and I always feel like an episode of “What Not to Wear” broke out the week I wasn’t there. Very trendy place, but the people are great and are always nice.
I doubt Jesus gives a rip about your attire.
Oh, and when is Oakleaft moving back to the theatre? Didn’t the school board decide to not allow Churches to meet in schools?