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Read part 1 and part 2 of this series.
We have four potential locations that we are currently considering for our Sunday morning services. Each location has strengths and challenges. We are, by no means, locked in to these spots and are completely open to the idea of some fresh lofts or clubs that we might not know about yet. Here is what I can say about all of these locations – they are relatively affordable, accessible, safe, and could accommodate the type of ministry we want to do. Let me give you some details about all of them and I’d love to get some feedback from you.
Option # 1 – The Plaza Theatre on Ponce next to the new Urban Outfitters
Summary
The Plaza Theatre is an independent movie theater located very visibly and prominently on Ponce de Leon Avenue a few blocks from Whole Foods and next door to a new Urban Outfitters store. The theatre has a very vintage look, is in a very high traffic area, and has very community-friendly owners. It is really the only independent theater in Atlanta and has a really funny history. In the 70′s it served as an X-Rated theater and even as a live burlesque spot.
Strengths
Great visible, easy-to-find location that already has pretty good name recognition. It’s vintage, independent history and feel are edgy and unique – which is some of what we want to capture with our church. It’s owners are community-centered and purchased the theater with the community in mind.
Challenges
Parking is a major problem here Monday-Saturday, but I am not sure what it looks like on Sunday morning. The theater is very, very old and it shows in many ways – carpet, chairs, technology, etc. It is known for showing horror movies and the Rocky Horror Picture Show – not sure if that’s a challenge or not! It is only a two screen theater – so space may be a challenge if we want to offer a lot of classes for children.
Option #2 – Grady High School across from Piedmont Park
Summary
Grady High School has the best reputation of any public high school in the city of Atlanta and inside of our target area. It is located right across from Piedmont Park and a pretty high-traffic shopping center. It is about 1/2 mile away from Whole Foods. Atlanta Public Schools is pretty friendly to churches and I have already toured this facility a few times and looked at contracts. The last church plant that I oversaw was done in a public school so I am pretty familiar with how they work. I live in this school district.
Strengths
Grady High has a pretty good reputation in our city. This school is very diverse because its feeder schools come from affluent and impoverished areas. We want to reach both communities. The school has a theater, a cafeteria, and a gym that we could use for our main service and tons of classroom space. We are considering hosting a meal every Sunday and the school has an available kitchen as well. Parking would rarely be a problem here except if Piedmont is having a major event on a Sunday morning.
Challenges
Like most stuff in this area of town, the school is pretty old, but has undergone recent renovations. Grady is not located on a major street like the Plaza Theatre. The school theater would be the best for Sunday services, but it is kind of disconnected from the classrooms that we would use for children’s ministry.
Option #3 – Midtown Arts Cinema on Monroe St. next to Trader Joe’s
Summary
The Midtown Arts Cinema is located in a very popular shopping center next to Trader Joe’s and some cool, independent restaurants and businesses. It is really across the street from Grady High School and Piedmont Park. It is known for showing independent films, but also shows the new hits as well. The theater is older, but is very well kept and has 6 screens and a good sized lobby.
Strengths
This theater is very well-kept and larger than the Plaza Theatre. Parking here is normally a problem on Monday-Saturday, but I have a hunch that Sunday mornings would provide ample parking space. This is a very high traffic area, but not as much as the Plaza Theatre. The fact that it offers more space and more theaters is a big plus for the type of ministry that we want to do.
Challenges
Like Grady High School, this theater is easy to find for community regulars, but is not on a main street like the Plaza theater and is tucked in the back of the shopping center. This theater would likely cost a little more than the Plaza.
Option #4 – Inman Middle School inside of Virginia-Highlands
Summary
Inman Middle School is in the middle of a very residential area inside of the Virginia Highlands neighborhood. It is perhaps the best middle school in the city and is in our school district. The facilities are really nice and Atlanta Public Schools is open to us using the facility. I toured the facility and like it a lot.
Strengths
In addition to having a great reputation, these school facilities are very nice and the area is safe, clean, and green. The school has classrooms for children’s ministry and a nice gym and auditorium we could use for our main service.
Challenges
This school, while located downtown and inside of our target area, is not on any main streets near any high traffic areas. It may be a little difficult to find on Sunday mornings and would require pretty good signage. Parking is rather limited since it is a middle school and not a high school.
OTHER OPTIONS THAT WE ARE ALSO OPEN TO:
Castleberry Hill – an emerging downtown neighborhood of lofts, restaurants, art exhbits, coffee shops, and more. This area really needs more churches and the demographics fit who we are targeting. This area is outside of our preferred geographic location, but would allow us to reach this community and still have some presence in our preferred location.
Atlantic Station – a brand new live, work, play community that is probably the most popular destination in all of Atlanta. With thousands of brand new residents and tens of thousands of workers and shoppers there regularly, this is a high traffic area that could use a few more church plants. It is only about 1 mile from our preferred geographic location and would allow us to reach both areas.
Nightclubs downtown – a few churches that we really admire like Mosaic in Los Angeles have made great use of nightclub space. Several prominent clubs exist downtown that are regularly available on Sunday evening. We are still open to this.
We are also open, although maybe down the road, to the idea of a leasing a space to build out something like a coffee house that we use for services on Sunday morning. This is a major undertaking, but really appeals to us in areas like Castleberry and Atlantic Station.
{ 14 comments }
Hey Shaun,
Good to see that you have put a lot of thought into your church plant. I’m sure it’s both exciting and scary.
A few comments:
1. I have worshipped with a few church plants here in L.A. and spoken with pastors. They tend to mention a few things that hinder people from coming out. The first thing is convenience and accesibility, so I think that the Plaza Theatre location would be ideal from that perspective. But, the second thing mentioned is usually parking. Parking in L.A. can be a beast and I’m sure ATL can be the same.
2. I have visited Mosaic. They have a wonderful, unique ministry that really appeals to the post-modern, unchurched unlike any church I have seen out here. So, the night club idea would definitely attract a similar demographic.
3. I’m sure they’ll be benefits and challenges at each location. With that said, I really like the Plaza Theatre for it’s ideal location. The irony of ministry at the location alone could be an awesome testimony. Either way, my fiance and I will keep you guys in prayer for your exciting faith-led journey into ministry. We pray that God gives you clarity and direction as you seek His will in finding a location.
Thanks a ton John! This feedback is very helpful man. Please stay posted on our progress in the days and weeks ahead.
-Shaun & Crew
a school offers a different feel than a theater or club. and though it is perfect for space and parking issues, i’d say they should not be your first choice. the location being hip will have some influence to people i believe. one of the 2 theaters would be my vote.
thanks for being on the front lines with your ministry.
Thanks Maureen!
I appreciate your feedback. Schools don’t have the hip factor, but the space is a major benefit. Thankfully churches have made it work in both settings.
-Shaun & Crew
Inman Park Middle School would be great–I used to live a couple blocks away from there and I know that’s a very nice neighborhood. I don’t think parking would be too much of a problem there on a Sunday morning. There’s usually a good bit of parking on the side streets–people would have to walk though.
I LOVE the idea of the coffee house used for services on Sunday. I know you said that would be long term but to me that’s the best option out of all of them because people always love a good coffee hang out. Have you ever been to the If CoffeeHouse? They’re in Little 5 Points and they do something similar to that. They’re a coffeehouse and on weekends they have live acoustic bands come and play and then on Sundays they have a low key service and then on Mondays they have an open bible study that anyone can come to. It’s very tiny but it’s a neat little place.
Whew…you can tell I have been away from my computer for too long–sorry for the long post. :-)
Thanks Avril!!
This was great, informed feedback. Do you think people would have trouble finding Inman?
In your mind, where would a good spot for an independent coffee house be downtown?
-Shaun & Crew
The schools always seem to be a great spot. The schools you have listed are well, which makes the church easy to find. The schools also offer lots of flexibility for having all kinds of breakout ministries etc. All of that and it is cost effective. I think the centrality of schools in the community can make up for maybe having a less than public street address. Keep up the bomb work Courageous Church!
Thanks Dion!
I know you have been there and done that so your advice really means a lot to me with this. Keeping costs down has to be a major consideration – as does squeezing the most bang for our buck.
Some call this research worldly – I call it good stewardship!
-Shaun & Crew
Four years ago our church outgrew our sanctuary so we started holding service at a theater. It has its challenges, but we’re making it work until God says it’s time to move. If you go with this option be sure to check how much theater use you’ll have. Sometimes the spirit really starts moving at the end of service, and the popcorn is popping so we have to wrap it up. Also early matinees cause a rush out mentality, changes the culture of fellowship after church. On the flip side we are very good about how we use our time during service, we don’t waste time with misc things (this keeps the Brothers in the church coming back). I will say holding service in a theater constantly reminds people that God is everywhere, not just in the 4 walls of a “sanctuary” Give me a call so I can give you detailed pros and cons on theater use…Praying for you guys man!
Thanks Nathalio! Do you all have children’s ministry offered there at the theater? Is it a new-school theater with stadium seating, etc.?
I will give you a call and we’ll chat it up man. Hope you and your wife are doing well. Keep me posted.
-Shaun & Crew
I like Inman Middle School.
Well Speaking from and musician point of view we definately nee soem where that is semi modern to achieve teh visual and audio quality we ar aiming for ! and yes the visual and accesible the place is the more crowd we will draw so i hope we get a great venue and i’ keep that in my prayers
Hey Howard,
We just learned that a church is using Inman Middle School. I’m actually amped. It lets me know we were thinking right and that area needs several new churches anyways!
Here they are:
http://www.1027church.com
-Shaun & Crew
Jason,
We’ll be sure to test out a spot musically before we sign a contract! Hope you and the Boothe crew are doing well.
-Shaun