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“Imagine a church…” Newsletter Article #2
I wasn’t sure how I would feel after doing 19 home meetings in 2 weeks time. It was a hectic schedule, but very energizing. I came away with at least two impressions. First, Ridgers are excited about the direction we are headed as a church. And second, Ridgers have clarity as to why we are doing this. By this, I mean our “Imagine a church…” Journey, where we are attempting to raise the funds so we can relocate on our 47 acres on the northeast side of Columbus.
In every one of the home meetings, I asked the same question—why are we doing this? I heard the same answers over and over again. Let me reiterate what those are.
Growth and expansion came up early in every meeting. We need more seating in our services (the auditorium will have about twice the number of seats we have now). We will have an atrium, including a café, large enough for people to hang around with the friends they invite.
Location surfaced too. First, we will have a much more visible location, a location that is easy to direct people to. Everybody knows where 25th Street is. But you have to have a reason to be on Brooks Street. Furthermore, the 47 acres will also be a much more strategic location. The city anticipates that 25th Street on the east side of Columbus may become a “Front Door” to our community, just like State Road 46 is on the west side. Residential development is anticipated in the area all around the future Ridge property.
Another reason that surfaced had to do with perception. The outside of our church does not match the inside. We’ve changed just about everything on the inside. But when you look at our two, rather traditional brick buildings, you would have no idea what is happening on the inside. In fact, new people often respond, “We were surprised. We had no idea that you had these kinds of programs and services!” On 25th Street we will be able to have alignment between what happens on the inside and the perception people will have based on what they see on the outside.
I was so encouraged that in several of the meetings, when I asked, “Why are we doing this?” that people said, “Because God has led us to do this.” Certainly that is the case. We have, for many years, just taken the next step. As God led, we continued to move in that direction.
Finally, the overriding reason is because of our vision—to do whatever it takes to reach our community for Christ. Reasons like growth and expansion, location, and perception are about doing whatever it takes to reach our community for Christ. So what we are doing is vision-driven.
Now we are just waiting to see how God leads!
Whatever it takes,
Pastor Jerry
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