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Building Bytes, No. 4, September 11, 2013

Focus: High School Ministry Space

In the last issue of Building Bytes, we noted that the lack of a dedicated space for the High School ministry requires that furnishings and other resources be relocated in and out of the ARK virtually every week. The lack of a dedicated space that students and ministry leaders can tailor to their specific needs (including furnishings, décor, etc.) sends a message that high school students are not a priority at Faith Bible Church, and it constrains opportunities for Faith Bible Church students to reach out to unsaved and/or “unchurched” friends.

The current facilities available for the High School ministry are adequate for basic needs on Sunday mornings. We must face the fact, however, that we are in competition for hearts and souls and feet! Most 14-year olds, if given the choice between the “adequate” ARK, a large, monotone, impersonal space, and a facility in another church that caters specifically to youth, likely would choose the other place!

Sunday morning in the ARK during High School gatherings—well, at least they can snooze and scowl comfortably!

Like it or not, we tend to attribute value to nice surroundings. We generally assume, for example, that a nice restaurant has better food than a shabby roadside diner. Certainly people are the key element of any ministry, but we must be realistic about the culture in which we all live and breathe. As a church family we cannot pretend that space does not matter to teenagers--or to their parents--and that space has no impact our ability to minister to their particular spiritual needs.

Sunday morning in the ARK—how did I get stuck with the gray chair when he has the whole couch?!

Consider—
Nursery isn’t just series of multipurpose rooms—we customize the space for infants and toddlers. Why?
Children’s Sunday school rooms are colorful and furnished with child-sized tables and chairs. Why?
Coffee is provided to cater to all who want (and need!) it. Why?
We cater to other groups and needs in the Faith Family, and rightly so. Why then do we not cater to high school students? Why do we not cater to the group of individuals, fellow saints, who potentially are the most vulnerable to attacks from the enemy as they transition from childhood to adulthood?

Sunday morning in the ARK before and after—a teenager’s dream?

If we truly are passionate about equipping high school students at Faith Bible Church to grow spiritually and to go out into God’s world so equipped, we will provide them
• A place to call their own
• A place to decorate and utilize for fun (Note: Fun does not preclude equipping; in fact for young people it is a key to getting their attention!)
• A place to which they would want to invite friends
• A place to comfortably settle in and learn Biblical truth

Effectively ministering to the next generation of leaders must be a priority if Faith Bible Church is to continue to spread the light of the Gospel in a dark world. Part of making these fellow saints and future leaders a priority is providing a space that is inviting—a space that gets their feet in the door and keeps their hearts and souls!

Hearing Loop System Now Active!

The worship center now features a state-of-the-art system that links directly to Telecoil (T-coil) equipped assisted listening devices. If your device contains a T-coil, check with your audiologist to ensure that it is activated.

Induction receivers will continue to be made available. Please see an usher for assistance on Sunday mornings.