On Sunday Movement Church announced that starting February 2nd our worship experiences are moving to the Hilliard/Ray Patch Family YMCA. As a young church, we are excited for this move and the way God has opened the doors to make it happen. This move will provide great exposure to our community and allow us to grow and accomplish our vision in some new exciting ways. Our vision is to be “a movement of people finding their way back to God.” This happens through people knowing Jesus and we want this move to be about that.
Not everyone was at church Sunday and we also have many friends and supporters who might have questions, so I thought I would take a second and answer some Frequently asked questions about the new location of our Movement Church worship experience.
Why move?
When Movement Church got to Hilliard, we looked into meeting in many places and God seemed to shut many of those doors. We were blessed to get a space in a town that isn’t always overflowing with portable space for church plants. This fall we have felt that space maximized as we have run out of parking many times and have a need to offer childcare beyond the two classes and ages (0-6ish) that we presently do. This move allows us to gather more people, have more parking, grow Movement Kids and offer more classes, and also have a well-known space that the community is more aware of.
Why the YMCA?
Anyone who knows Movement Church knows that we have always had a great relationship with the Y. We have multiple people who are members on the board and as a church believe in what they do. Their staff has been great cheerleaders of ours since day one. Our Movement groups have served there, we partnered for Trunk or Treat, and we helped sponsor the Ridestrong cancer fundraiser this past fall. The Y has been a wonderful partner in impacting families and this is another extension of that partnership.
When will this happen?
Our first Sunday at the Y will be Sunday February 2nd. We want to be there in time for the series we will start that day called RelationsLips (love, dating, singleness, marriage, sex) and also to be ready to grow into the space in time for Palm Sunday and Easter (April 20th).
How will this work?
As of right now the plan is that we are going to have some on-site storage in the YMCA’s closet that we are re-organizing and building shelves in, as well as possibly a trailer like many other portable churches. Our sending church Encounter Church has a trailer they no longer use.
The plan is still coming together as our team for Creative Arts (tech), First impressions, and Movement Kids is putting together lists of needs for this new space. Many things will translate (chairs, tables, sound) while other things will get simpler (We almost zero nursery and toddler setup as the Y already has dedicated rooms for this). We are looking at buying some new things like signs, cables and cords, and even new curtains, etc. This move will take the work of many, but we believe in it and are excited to make it happen this month.
What to expect?
We are living proof that the church is not a building but the people who make it up. We have never owned a building or been in one for more than 90 minutes a week so in that sense not much changes. We are still intentional and contagious like our name, and will still be the same church. We use buildings as a place to get together and celebrate who God is and what He is doing in us.
Our vision is still the same for Sundays to have a warm and welcoming atmosphere for all ages as well as teaching and music that are Biblically based, applicable, engaging, relevant, innovative, and also to feature stories of life change.
We still want people to feel welcome from the minute they get out of their car, walk inside, and check their kids into Movement Kids. As they worship we want them to know who we are and how they can get involved. We know that people are in many different places in their spiritual journey, that is why our goal is that people who have never heard the name of Jesus, people who have never been to church, people who have grown up in church, people who think they are too messed up, and people who don’t think God has a place for them, will find their way back to God through Jesus.
What is changing?
We will pay less per month for this space, so more money can be put toward ministry and establishing Movement Church.
Our worship experience will be in a bigger space so you can invite everyone you know.
Movement Kids will add a third class for ages 7-10 and have room to expand to more later.
You won’t have to fight for a parking spot now. In fact there is so much parking we are going to have spots for guests so those of us who call Movement home can park farther away and create an atmosphere of serving others.
What are the needs at this point?
Prayer – please pray for wisdom as we transition. We are going to be planning, ordering, and want to get it right. Also pray that this move gives us visibility in the community and that we will be able to see people find their way back to God because of this move.
Volunteers – We have some new needs in setup and first impressions (parking) that didn’t exist before. This is similar to moving in to a house from an apartment and realizing that you have to mow the yard now. We are hoping this will create a vacuum for many to serve and use their gifts and take ownership of their church.
Purchases – We also have some needs for things like furnishing the new kids room. I have had people ask if they can donate or give money toward this. The answer is yes and we will try to make needs knows as they are decided upon.
Can we use the hot tub or baptize people in the Pool?
As long as we pay to staff a lifeguard that day, we can do whatever we want. I hope to start a baptism tradition that people get in the water by going down the slide. I’m just kidding….sort of.
markartrip.wordpress.com 