Using Church Property to Strengthen Church Ministry

If someone with no religious knowledge asked you to share the mission of our church in one sentence, would you know what to say? What do the groups using our space on a regular basis suggest going forward as their programs and needs evolve? Have our neighbors, downtown businesses and government officials ever toured our campus to see what's going on every day? These were some of the questions posed at a learning clinic held in New Rochelle, NY on Wed. Jan. 15th. Over 40 participants representing all six districts in the New York Annual Conference shared how our individual church histories shape the ways we carry out our mission today. We imagined what new and diverse programs we might envision in the future if the full potential of our church property was realized: things like before and after school programs, ESL classes, halfway house and shelter programs, etc. One exercise asked us to consider if our campus disappeared overnight, who would be impacted? Is anyone else there to fill those gaps?

We received several handouts to bring back to our congregations for further discussion and workshopping. These include a Facilities Walk, Neighborhood Walk, Sample Property Mission Statements and Community Conversations. We were asked to think boldly and consider the growing number of unchurched neighbors around us searching for meaning, who see challenges and are interested in organizing together to tackle problems and build community with others.  

If you are interested in sharing your ideas and being part of the discussion on using our church property to strengthen ministry, or would like to learn more about the learning clinic, please contact the church office. 

Let's start dreaming and getting to work!