So, your church is portable: every single week you set up and take down all the equipment needed for your worship service. How’s that working for you? A mobile church can really tax its human resources, but it can also mean that you are highly flexible and able to turn on a dime when it comes to connecting with your community. These are two sides of one coin. Let’s look at ways to leverage the good side, and minimize the not-so-good side.
The most important thing to remember about gearing up for mobile church is to focus on the ministry of the church. I’ve seen churches grow and thrive in rented, non-exclusive locations: some churches have met for years in public school auditoriums, movie theaters, and libraries—there’s no rule that says you have to secure your own dedicated space. Remember, even though the saying is old, it’s still true: the church is not the building, it’s the people. Consider these four important elements when it comes to mobile church, and the gear you need.
Four Elements Every Portable Church Needs
1). Storage of your gear matters. Either negotiate to keep your stuff on the site you use (that’s the best), or invest in an all-in-one trailer to store your gear safely (that’ll do). But whatever you do, keep your gear in one central location, and packed efficiently. Too many churches have their stuff scattered all over town, causing them to depend on multiple people to bring their gear and set it up. If you’re going to be a mobile church for the foreseeable future, buy a trailer—and trick it out to hold your gear in an organized and easily accessible way. Craftsmen have known this for years: an organized trailer makes life easier. Check out companies like Portable Church Industries (and others) for ideas and help.
RELATED: Portable Church Success
2). Differentiate between what you need and what you want for your church set-up. You might be surprised: if your average Sunday attendance is below 100 people, who says you need to amplify your sound? Not every church needs to sound and look like a Taylor Swift concert. In fact, a laid-back, acoustic approach might actually provide an authentic vibe that many seekers would find attractive. Most musicians or preachers can cover a medium sized room without a sound system. And consider: if you opt for an unplugged approach to church, you’ve cut your set-up and takedown time dramatically.
I once attended a church of 45 people who met in a room that was less than 900 square feet, yet they insisted on a full band and sound system. The preacher held a microphone, even though everyone could hear him just fine without it! The total effect was, “we wanna be big-time, but we’re not there yet!” (Perhaps you want to archive or podcast your messages: fair enough. But one portable microphone and one reliable iPhone will do the job for many small churches.)
