By Nancy Mann Jackson
Church sanctuaries aren’t just for the sacred anymore. Many of today’s churches open their doors for groups of all types, usually at very affordable prices. Why are more churches advertising their facilities as meeting space for groups? While modest revenues may be part of the answer, many see sharing their space as part of their larger mission to be good stewards of the resources they have and to build relationships with people in their local communities and beyond.
“We desire to see our building used more than just a couple of hours on Sundays,” says Paul Ball, Church Administrator at Romar Beach Baptist Church in Orange Beach, AL, which is located directly on the beach and advertises its church building as The Lighthouse Retreat and Conference Center. “In fact, we designed the building with that in mind. Our outreach ministry is also designed around the same concept of meeting needs in people’s lives and in our community.”
A Full Ranger of Facilities
At Romar Beach Baptist, the church offers dormitories and VIP suites that can house up to 112 people per night. The facility also includes two kitchens, one of which is commercially equipped, and a dining hall that will seat approximately 150 people banquet-style. The sanctuary is a flexible space that can seat about 350 people classroom-style, and the building includes large balconies on each of its three floors, perfect for outdoor receptions overlooking the Gulf of Mexico directly below. The Romar Beach facility has been used by various groups, including children’s, youth, college, men’s and women’s groups from various churches, as well as condominium homeowners association meetings and functions for “snowbirds” or winter beach guests, Ball notes.
But churches need not have full overnight accommodations to be satisfactory venues for your meeting or conference. For instance, Cross Point Church of Christ in Florence, AL, hosts a variety of local and regional groups at its church building, which includes a gymnasium, commercial kitchen, classrooms, conference rooms and fireside parlor. Since moving to the new facility in 2006, Cross Point has hosted numerous SMERF groups, such as a high school drug awareness program, banquets and meetings for an association of special-needs adults and regional conferences for various nonprofit organizations. The church also hosts a number of weekly recovery groups.
Numerous churches across the country, especially newer congregations or older groups with newer facilities, welcome meeting groups to use their space. For example, Washington, DC’s Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church offers six areas available for meetings: the sanctuary, with seating for 400; the Washington Seminar Center, with space for up to 50 people; the fellowship hall, with kitchen facilities and seating for up to 50 people; several small rooms for up to 12 people each; a basement kitchen; and a multipurpose room including a 32-inch TV and DVD player. The Bethany Beach Christian Church in Bethany Beach, DE, operates the Bethany Beach Conference Center, which offers meeting facilities and overnight accommodations. While the church gives scheduling priorities to congregations of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), other churches and nonprofit groups may also apply for retreats on a space-available basis throughout the season, from mid-April to mid-November.
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A Wholesome Environment
Like any class of venues, there are a variety of church facilities available. And for SMERF groups, a church can be an ideal meeting space. “While our church caters to Christian groups, any group that upholds Christian principles and conducts themselves in a Christian-like manner is welcome at our facility,” says Ball. “Because we’re a church, we provide a wholesome environment that’s free from the trappings of some convention facilities, such as exorbitant charges.”
While SMERF groups can enjoy intimate accommodations for reasonable rates at churches, these facilities also come with a few strings attached. For instance, Capitol Hill Presbyterian’s facility rental guidelines state that the church reserves the right to cancel any arrangement for use of church facilities: “A group that expressly plans or advocates violent protest will not be approved to use church facilities, and use of violence by any group will be grounds for expulsion.”
“Since we are a church, we do have strict guidelines on conduct,” says Paul Ball. “We do not allow any type of profanity, alcohol, tobacco or illegal drugs in our facility or on our campus. We do expect our guests to respect our guidelines.”
But for groups who can meet the guidelines, a church can offer a perfect meeting facility: low rates, intimate accommodations, and friendly, accommodating hosts.
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