Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RSS
In Episode 367 of the NewChurches Q&A Podcast, Daniel and Ed discuss how to handle a church wanting to open their doors 40 yards from yours. Here is today’s question:
“We officially launched last September and are currently meeting in a remodeled train depot that we are renting from the city. On the same block, within twenty yards of us, there is an older style church building that’s being constructed as a part of the historical area. The city rents these facilities out. I have recently heard that friends leading a local church are in talks of renting that church building facility. We are excited about a great church in that building, and our friends to have a building to meet in, but we have some concerns. Both churches would gather for worship at the same time and our entrances are within 40 yards of each other. Since we both have regularly have 50 to 80 people attending each church’s services, parking will quickly become an issue because it is a shared lot. There’s a large parking that would meet the need, but it is hidden from both facilities . It is also about 150 to 200 yards away from both doors. I have also been thinking about signage since you have to cross the same area to reach both entrances, but am wondering if it will be confusing or look cluttered. We both have a gospel-centered mindset, yet we are a distinct body of believers. We want to see the church of Jesus Christ reach the city and have concerns that this might be hindered by the proximity and logistics. Are these concerns valid? Have you seen anything like this? Are there other concerns that need to be addressed?