I overhead a conversation in the office this week: a lady came in to say thank you for letting her organisation use one of our rooms for a meeting. She said it was the first time she had been here, but she was blown away by all the facilities we have at WMC. She's right! We have often commented on this incredible space that our church calls home and the opportunities it creates for us to connect with our wider community.
In recent leaders' meetings we have been exploring what it might look like to be more intentional about inviting the community onto our property. Imagine if this space was widely known in our area as a community centre, a safe place where children could do homework after school, a meeting place for support groups and skills training, somewhere to meet a friend for coffee, or rent a desk with an internet connection for a few hours. We're not in the business of renting out space (and promoting a room rental business would jeopardise our rates exemption), but imagine if we said to our community instead, come and use our space and the bulk of what you are charged will support a community / mission project. That would certainly make me feel better about paying for coffee :)
So, we're thinking and dreaming and putting out some feelers, starting with a meeting with a local barista this weekend. Any other creative ideas out there?
In recent leaders' meetings we have been exploring what it might look like to be more intentional about inviting the community onto our property. Imagine if this space was widely known in our area as a community centre, a safe place where children could do homework after school, a meeting place for support groups and skills training, somewhere to meet a friend for coffee, or rent a desk with an internet connection for a few hours. We're not in the business of renting out space (and promoting a room rental business would jeopardise our rates exemption), but imagine if we said to our community instead, come and use our space and the bulk of what you are charged will support a community / mission project. That would certainly make me feel better about paying for coffee :)
So, we're thinking and dreaming and putting out some feelers, starting with a meeting with a local barista this weekend. Any other creative ideas out there?