Every church seeks a strong connection to its local community. As Worship Facilities Magazine strives to be your go-to source for ideas and answers on building, design, maintenance and finance issues, you strive diligently to be the go-to source for your congregation and the people who surround you and may one day need you.
In the past few issues of WFM, we've looked at a number of ways your church can reach out and cement its status as a worship space, an activity hub, and a meeting ground -- through social networking (as covered in our July/Aug 2010 issue), as well as in person at your physical campus and over the Internet, through podcasting and streaming video (see our Sept/Oct 2010 issue). Like Jesus telling his disciples, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men" in Mark 1:17, you're faithfully opening your doors and hearts to those outside your immediate congregation and oftentimes even to those in other states or around the world.
Your unique sphere of influence for Christ makes you a natural place where the community will turn in times of disaster, as well. Recent events this past decade come to mind where churches are coming through and offering a helping hand -- Hurricanes Katrina and Gustav and devastating flooding in Tennessee and Kentucky are just a few.
We want to help you be prepared to be the helping hand you are uniquely positioned to extend. So in this Worship Facilities Conference & Expo Atlanta 2010 (WFX) issue we embrace content that can help you become "in the center" of your community, if you aren't already. Many of the topics we address will also be covered at WFX Atlanta at the Cobb Galleria Centre on Nov. 3-5, 2010, in a variety of conference sessions.
Also be sure to read our Sept/Oct issue profile of The Bridge community center at Atlanta-area First Baptist Church of Peachtree City in Peachtree City, Ga., on page 16. Also be sure not to miss our page 30 profile of Baton Rouge, La.'s The Healing Place, where we detail how the church is using its new Arena worship center as a hub of community activity and outreach.
Back to the topic of churches' abilities to help out their communities during times of natural disaster, watch for WFM Sept/Oct's feature "When Disaster Strikes," on page 48. Having the right mentality, game plan and resources together for potential times of trouble can help your ministry make a world of difference in people's lives -- in a way you may never have expected.
Our Sept/Oct issue will also give you ideas on how to cast your net a bit further. Turn to page 55 to find "Casting a Wider Net: The Pastor's Guide to Podcasting, Streaming and Broadcasting." Internet outreach has enabled churches to realize a new reality: Your message of faith and hope doesn't have to stop at your doors, or even in your community. God willing and with some planning on your part, it can know no bounds.
