Church-Out-Of-A-Box

Oasis Christian Church

Concord, New Hampshire

We continue our series of Church-Out-Of-A-Box for our new churches. Church-Out-Of-A-Box, sometimes referred to as Church-In-A-Box, is a situation where a church meets in rented facilities on Sundays like a school or hotel and carries in and sets up everything they need for a quality experience of worship, fellowship, and children's ministry. Here is a sampling of equipment moved each week: sound equipment (soundboard, speakers, mics, cables, monitors, mic & music stands), lighting, staging platforms, projection system & screen, parent call system, directional and room signs, information and literature tables, equipment and supplies for coffee and refreshments, decorations, rugs, chairs, tables, learning center equipment and supplies for age-appropriate children's ministry from birth to elementary school.

The second of these new churches is Oasis Christian Church meeting at the Beaver Meadow Elementary School, Concord, NH. The church is led by Jon Rose, Lead Minister, and Donnetta Kiifner, Director of Children's Ministries. This new church launched public worship April 2004 and is averaging 111. Oasis Christian Church is self-supporting and set aside elders April 2008. The interview for this article was with Jon Rose who gives weekly oversight to the Sunday morning set-up and tear-down for worship.

Jon, why would a new church use Church-Out-Of-A-Box?

Why? For us it was finding space that was affordable and in good location. Not knowing how many would come is the uncertainty with starting a new church and impacts what space you rent.

How long have you been a Church-Out-Of-A-Box?

We have been a Church-Out-Of-A-Box since we started SUnday, April 4, 2004.

Beaver Meadow Elementary School Outdoor storage shed at the school Setting up One of the storage containers The children's area Worship Team practice Worship time Gathered for a meal in the cafeteria

Jon, where or from whom did you purchase/get your boxes and equipment to do Church-Out-Of-A-Box?

When we first started, we had none of the portable church boxes we have today. We started with tubs and a box truck to haul our things, with some storage at the school. Since then we have been allowed to put up an outdoor metal shed along the west-side wall of the school building and have been able to store all of our portable church boxes in the school building. We are the third church plant to use some of the portable church boxes from Harbor of Hope Christian Church (North Chelmsford, MA) who gifted them to Rockingham Christian Church (Salem, NH), and they in turn gifted them to us. The boxes are on wheels and are constructed of plywood covered in heavy felt. Our equipment was in part purchased on eBay or acquired from local venders.

How many boxes do you have and how are they designated for different areas of ministry?

We have five wooden carts with each having the different sized compartments for storing cables and equipment. When we first received the boxes, we were able to modify the compartments and shelving space to meet our needs. In addition to the portable carts, the two main speakers are set on wheels and stand alone. The audio tech equipment is in two plastic and metal carts on wheels. Thus we have a total of nine carts of various design that meet our needs.

How much time do you allow for set-up, tear-down, and load-up of the trailer and how many volunteers are required?

We start at 8:00 a.m. and are done with set-up by 9:00 a.m. for worship team practice, and tear-down takes 45 minutes. We have four teams that rotate each month. Each team is made up of five people, with two being tech people. The other three assist where needed with the sound set-up and finishing the children's department, welcome area, and both interior and exterior signage. Each team does both set-up and tear-down on their Sunday of the month of service. On the fifth Sunday of the month the team leaders of the four teams serve as a fifth team, giving them the opportunity to do some problem solving, to bond as a group, and to receive coaching as leaders.

Where do you hold mid-week worship team rehearsal?

In the beginning we held worship rehearsal in the home of one of our members. Once we were able to rent larger office space at Bicentennial Square in downtown Concord, we were able to move rehearsal to the office. We have a smaller sound system available for worship rehearsal at the church office.

What have been some advantages and disadvantages of using Church-Out-Of-A-Box?

The biggest advantage to meeting at the school is that you have a visual picture that the church is not about a building. Thus, when we come together for worship, it is a reminder that the church is about people coming together to praise God. Another advantage has been the impact of the church on the teachers and the parents related to the school. One mother had told the head of the custodial department that the "demeanor of the school changed for the good since Oasis started meeting in the school building." Meeting in the school has allowed us to develop positive relationships with the custodial staff, teachers, and administration and is demonstrated in that we can now use classrooms and the building almost whenever we want. That was not true when we first started.

The main disadvantage of being a Church-Out-Of-A-Box is that we are missing credibility and continuity in the eyes of the Concord community. We need to convey that we are not a new church plant that comes and goes in a short amount of time. Another disadvantage is lack of visibility in the community without a 24/7 facility. An additional problem we face is that this school building is used by the Concord Community Theater. When they are in production, we are moved to the cafeteria which is much smaller than the gym, our usual worship space. The time and energy used in set-up and tear-down that could be used elsewhere is another disadvantage. This can be seen in the impact it has had on our fellowship time after service when there is a need to be on time to get out of the building within our contract time period. It has been a fine balance between visiting and meeting deadlines.

Would you recommend Church-Out-Of-A-Box to other new churches starting out or existing churches in transition?

I would definitely recommend a new church to consider being Church-Out-Of-A-Box. Doing so will allow you to focus on people and demonstrate that people are important even if the facility is not as nice as you would like. Using Church-Out-Of-A-Box helps cast the vision of the church that you are about people and not money or buildings. Turn the disadvantages into advantages by reaching the custodial staff, teachers, administration, parents and children. Be intentional to use the set-up and tear-down teams as a entry point of service for new people and use their time in this area of service to move on into other areas of ministry.

For more information about Oasis, go to http://oasiscc.net.