Every Movie Theater in the DC Area
Today is my meeting day.
Started at 7:30 AM and my last meeting will go till about 5:00 PM. I try to schedule meetings in one day so I'm in meeting mode. That means I can have study days where I'm in study mode or vision days where I'm in vision mode.
Met with several area pastors today. So amazing to see what God is doing in the DC area. Also inspired by how many other churches are starting to meet in movie theaters. Just in the last year I've met with half a dozen pastors who are moving into movie theaters in the DC area. Some of them are even moving into movie theaters we were planning on launching new locations in. And I'm thrilled about it. It's not about us. It's about the kingdom. And if we can get a church in every theater in DC I'm all for it.
I've learned that there are two very different approaches to ministry: my kingdom come and thy kingdom come. I need to be continually reminded that it's not about me or NCC. It's about God and His kingdom expanding as He sees fit.
Love meeting with other pastors because it gives me a glimpse of what God is doing in other parts of His kingdom!
What a Kingdom!
Started at 7:30 AM and my last meeting will go till about 5:00 PM. I try to schedule meetings in one day so I'm in meeting mode. That means I can have study days where I'm in study mode or vision days where I'm in vision mode.
Met with several area pastors today. So amazing to see what God is doing in the DC area. Also inspired by how many other churches are starting to meet in movie theaters. Just in the last year I've met with half a dozen pastors who are moving into movie theaters in the DC area. Some of them are even moving into movie theaters we were planning on launching new locations in. And I'm thrilled about it. It's not about us. It's about the kingdom. And if we can get a church in every theater in DC I'm all for it.
I've learned that there are two very different approaches to ministry: my kingdom come and thy kingdom come. I need to be continually reminded that it's not about me or NCC. It's about God and His kingdom expanding as He sees fit.
Love meeting with other pastors because it gives me a glimpse of what God is doing in other parts of His kingdom!
What a Kingdom!
10 Comments:
Hey Mark, This is Chad from KC .. Just wanted to give you some props.. I told you I work for a major mobile phone company and sometimes when I take a call from someone who is from the DC area I will ask them if they have been to Ebenezers. This is my way of helping hopfully getting them to you. Church plant in Gardner is doing ok, and your book was awesome. Pastor used it for a teaching series. GTG Hope your meetings go well.
Mark, thanks for your thoughts. I have a few questions: Are any of those churches moving into theaters intentionally by selling property and buildings to free up funds for kingdom work? Or are they mostly new churches? And what do you think of that idea in an established church?
Daniel
Daniel,
Over the years, several churches that I know of have actually sold buildings and started over in theaters. But most of them are multi-site and church plants.
I love the idea of selling a church building and moving into a theater of the building is impeding someone's outreach into the community and a barrier of sorts. Don't get me wrong. I think church buildings, when used properly, are wonderful assets. But sometimes you have to do something radical to reinvent yourself and reach a commmunity.
My two cents,
Mark
Thanks, Mark. I really appreciate your posts and your opinion as someone having "been there".
Daniel
Mark:
Thank you so much for sending me a free copy of you book. You have blessed me beyond words. It was a divine appointment for me. I highly recommend it to every person who has a call on their lives.
Danny in Lindsay, OK.
Mark and Daniel,
Our church is doing just that (selling a 60,000 sq. ft facility to move into the local theater.) We felt for our culture, the theater would be a better setting and free up valuable resources to invest in more life-impacting ministries. For additional info, click here.
Mark - thanks for the encouragement you provide through your blog - it's been a valuable resource through our transition.
Bruce,
What an inspiration! Wow. Thanks for sharing that link. That had to take some serious lion chasing courage my friend :)
Mark
We've connected with a few church starts, but you mentioned there are some churches that had sold facilities to move to a theater. If you have a few names, we'd love to try and connect with them.
Thanks!
Have you met with Lon Solomon as one of the pastors starting theater sites. In January, McLean is lauching a service at the Uptown Theater. I'm sure you probably already knew that, but just incase you didn't =)
Not Lon, but Mike Hurt who oversees their campus development. Love their vision!!!
Mark
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