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property services - case study
North Gillingham's Baptist Church 'The Bridge' describe their response to a decaying building.
"In 1999 our church building became uneconomical to repair. At the same time a local Healthy Living Centre (community centre) was due to open. We decided to sell our building for residential redevelopment and started to hire the new centre for our Sunday meetings.
Using the proceeds from the sale of our building we purchased an old pub for use by our first full-time Pastor. Two years later we purchased another three bed property for use by a full-time children’s ministry worker. We still continue to meet on Sundays in the Healthy Living Centre
Worshipping in the centre brings many advantages and some disadvantages. The main advantages for our fellowship are;
- No maintenance costs or nasty repair bills.
- Fixed monthly rental.
- No increasing utility bills, building insurance etc.
- A welcoming worship area for visitors.
- Being at the centre of the community, becoming known, respected, trusted and accepted.
- Developing relationships with other community organisations
- Modern disabled friendly building.
- Modern café area for fellowship prior to and following the service
- Being involved within the community where previously we were isolated.
Main disadvantages
- Many older member miss the comfort feel of owning our own building
- Having to unpack the equipment and repack for every service
- Any rental opportunities created with our old building
- Worshipping in a communal hall against a dedicated worship area.
- Having to compete with other organisations for space for any mid-week events.
For The Bridge it was vital that we developed a good relationship with the management team of the Healthy Living Centre. This was achieved and resulted in the centre's Chief Executive inviting two of our members on to the management board, and one is now chairman, giving us a real say in how the centre develops. We have also taken office space in the centre to ensure we can develop services/activities that are of benefit to the community".
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is the operating name of Stewardship Services (UKET) Limited,