Lessons from a Home Boy on Office Space
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Thu, July 26, 2007
- Viewed 31
- (2) comments so far
Church planters take different approaches when it comes to office space. Some immediately rent some space. Others wait for six months or a year. I have chosen to wait to rent office space for 2 ½ years for a couple of practical reasons:
1) Finances: office space in our area cost about four to five grand a month. That’s a steep price for any size church plant. I have been way too frugal for that type of monthly expense. Fortunately we have been able to find some space for about half that price tag.
2) Selective Investment: we felt we could use the money more effectively in community service, weekend gatherings, and staff hiring. Simply put, I chose to invest in people rather than office space.
3) Pastoral DNA: some pastors thrive in an office space environment. They get their energy from others in the office. I am more of an “in the study” type person. I get my energy from studying, sermon development, structuring, planning, and other “at the desk” type projects. My personal giftedness has allowed me to be okay with no office space for a while.
4) Family Priority: I wanted to work at home for our first phase in order to invest in my family. I know church planting can be hard on the family. Moving to a new city, starting a church from scratch, switching schools, finding new friends, these are the type of issues that weigh on a church planter’s family. I decided to help alleviate some of those issues by working from home.
For 2 ½ years I have worked out of my home. It has not always been quiet. It has not always been convenient. It has not always been professional. But it has been some of the most incredible days of my days in ministry. Let me give you two reasons why.
1) Instant access: for these 30 months, my wife and kids have had instant access to me. I have been home at lunch. I have been here when my girls get home from school. I have been here when they just wanted to give daddy a hug. Sure there have been times when I have had to explain to someone on the other end of the phone that the scream in the background was just my son. Sure there have been times when our dog would not leave a person alone I was trying to counsel. Sure there have been times when I have had to ask Starla to take the kids somewhere for a while so I could concentrate. At times it has been burdensome, strenuous, and frustrating. But guess what? I would not trade this time for anything. My wife and kids have known that regardless of what is happening with Grace Point, they have instant access to daddy. He is just one bedroom away.
2) Spouse Involvement: my wife loves Grace Point. It is her baby almost as much as it is mine. From day one, it has been the two of us. She has loved knowing almost everything happening at GP. She has loved being a part of the planning and developing. She has loved being the first person with whom I share ideas, news, and concepts. Not every church planter’s wife wants to be involved at the same level that my wife has. But I love it. I love having her so intimately involved and I know that intimate involvement will change some once I am no longer a bedroom away. I have said on more than one occasion that our first full year of church planting was the best and worst year of our marriage. I will miss that intimacy development that has come in part from being at home most of the day.
Every church planter has to decide what is right for their context when it comes to office space. I cringe at times when I hear planters talking about needing office space before they have a staff, weekend gatherings, or even people. I am sure people thought I was out of my mind to wait so long. I can’t say what is right or wrong for every context. I do know that God has allowed Grace Point Church to see incredible growth and effectiveness in an extremely post-Christian culture and at the same time has allowed me to invest in the lives of my wife and kids in an uncanny way.
Solomon said it: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven” (Ecc 3.1). As we transition to another new season, I am excited about moving into our first office space. It is definitely the right time. But in other ways I will miss the occasional drop-by kiss from my girls or the occasional “daddy help me get past this part” from my son or the occasional pause moment chats with my wife.
Thank you God for these 30 months to remember that my greatest ministry opportunity is not Grace Point Church. It is Starla, Kayleigh, Ragan, and Zac.
Devin Hudson is the Lead Pastor of Grace Point Church in Las Vegas. His blog GraceIsThePoint is a popular blog among church planters and young pastors and offers keen insight into the ups and downs of church planting. His authentic and engaging style help prepare church planters for the raw realities of launching a church. Devin is married and has 3 beautiful children. He also has an earned PhD in New Testament.
This week we are finalizing a lease on some office space. I moved to Las Vegas in January 2005 and we officially launched Grace Point in January 2006. We have a staff team of six (5 of them part-time) and many others who are not on paid staff but play crucial roles as team leaders. We have grown to a church of 500 in 18 months making us the fastest growing church in North Las Vegas in 2006. I think it is about time for some office space.
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Camey on Thu, July 26, 2007
Greatly enjoyed reading this. Very encouraging and uplifting. Definitely helps to understand some of why Grace Point is seeing the growth that it is. Agree with Devin on “my greatest ministry opportunity” is family. I hope you never forget the lessons you’ve learned from these months. Keep passing them on… there is great value in each moment.
Two other things:
1) The looks on the faces of the individuals getting baptized are FANTASTIC! Full of smiles. Yours too.
2) When reading Grace Point’s website… it is clear that ALL are welcome there no matter what stage in life they are in.. Another clear reason why GP is seeing growth.
Thanks for making a difference in North Las Vegas and in your own home!
Tony Kummer on Thu, July 26, 2007
Devin,
Wow. I was surprised to see you blogging over here too. Great job on this article.
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