Saddleback to Open a Private Church Campus on Easter…
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Mon, April 06, 2009
- Viewed 88
- (33) comments so far
Why, you say?
Well, because Laguna Woods Village is a private community. Here’s what their statement about their religious ‘clubs’ says:
Some recent controversy has arisen in Laguna Woods Village over a misunderstanding of how an official club or organization may utilize GRF facilities.Spiritual organizations (such as a church) can become officially recognized Village organizations through the application to GRF per the terms of the Recreation Division Policy Manual posted on http://www.lagunawoodsvillage.com. GRF has permitted many religious organizations to become official Village clubs or organizations.
Some of these religious organization clubs hold their meetings and worship services at the Village clubhouses. The primary membership of an official Village organization must be comprised of Village residents. Guests of residents are allowed by GRF to utilize the community facilities when accompanied by that resident- an official club meeting is no exception. But, GRF rules do not allow persons uninvited and unaccompanied by a Laguna Woods Village resident to attend their gatherings.
So… in reality… you will not be able to attend Saddleback’s new campus next Sunday (Easter) unless you are a resident of Laguna Woods Village, or are attending WITH a member of Laguna Woods Village.
Ruh-Roh.
So, Saddleback may have just inadvertently started America’s first ‘gated’ multi-site campus.
Not sure how this all came about, but when the Orange Country Register runs an article with the headline “Saddleback Church offers apology for Laguna Woods statement”, it can’t be all good, at least in the PR Department.
It sounds like Saddleback might have been blind sighted on this one. It sounds like they thought that anyone would be allowed to attend. Evidently, that’s not the case.
Let me be clear on my thoughts: any church should be able to have a campus anywhere they like. Is it ok to have a gated-service at an exclusive club? Yeah, I’m fine with that; although I don’t know if that would be the best use of resources. It sounds like that might not have been the desired result here anyway. It sure does seem that it limits the effect that your campus can have if you have a closed group of people to invite. Then again, maybe it makes it easier because you have a closed group of people to invite. (Although, I’m guessing that Laguna Woods Village has just as closed a policy on advertising and invitations to it’s members.)
Thoughts?
Over the years, I've heard churches described as 'country clubs'. But Saddleback this week has a bit of a controversy on it's hands. You see, for the past eight months, the church has been planning a new venue. The site that was chosen was the Laguna Woods Village, a private retirement community and club. It all seemed simple enough: use a nice facility in a community where many of Saddleback's attenders already live. And no one really thought twice when Saddleback's venue pastor, Matt McGill said: "Saddleback Church is planting a regional campus in the Laguna Woods Village for the Saddleback members who live within that community, because Saddleback Church has a large amount of attendees and small groups who have expressed a desire to have Saddleback Services on Sunday morning in their community." No problem there. But when Matt said that he hoped that other people from the Laguna Woods area would come and make Saddleback their church home, it sent up a red flag...
Comments
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Todd Rhoades on Mon, April 06, 2009
SDS,
Thanks for pointing out stupidity. I always enjoy it when people do that.
Try to be nicer or I’ll pull an Ezekiel on you!
Todd
Sgillesp on Mon, April 06, 2009
I suppose I would be considered harsh if I were to ask what a bunch of Christians are doing LIVING in a gated community in the first place?
matt on Mon, April 06, 2009
Perhaps a slogan for this venue:
the purpose driven life: it’s not about you…(especially if you want to come to the laguna woods…)
Fred Higgins on Mon, April 06, 2009
RE: Sgillesp wrote “I suppose I would be considered harsh if I were to ask what a bunch of Christians are doing LIVING in a gated community in the first place?”
Perhaps, let’s see…Do you ever lock the door to your house or car? Do you have a fence around any part of your property? Do you do anything that makes you or your family physically safer or brings peace and quiet into your life?
DarinB on Mon, April 06, 2009
Sgillesp,
Educate us and tell us what is wrong with Christians living in a gated community? What’s behind your motive for suggesting that somehow it’s not right?
Posted by Sgillesp
Monday, April 06, 2009 at 1:06 PM
I suppose I would be considered harsh if I were to ask what a bunch of Christians are doing LIVING in a gated community in the first place?
Allen White on Mon, April 06, 2009
Well, there’s a reason that Laguna Woods, formerly “Leisure World” is referred to by my friends as “Geezer World.”
I think there are many barriers for people living in Laguna Woods to get to the Saddleback main campus. A Saddleback campus just down the street is a great service to these folks.
What’s more, it’s a retirement community. People with the choice to attend Saddleback in Lake Forest, Irvine or San Clemente are not going to attend in Laguna Woods. Demographically, it makes no sense at all.
Currently, there are a few churches in the vacinity of Laguna Woods: Catholic, Lutheran and Presbyterian. Beyond that, there’s really not much within walking or golf cart distance. Saddleback is giving one more convenient option to these folks.
Hurray for Saddleback! Win more geezers to Christ!
Ken on Mon, April 06, 2009
Thanks Allen White - Living in the Midwest I had no idea where Laguna Woods Village was… but when you said it is the new name for Leisure World, I knew exactly. My step-mother-in-law lives there. And I have gotten past the gate by her simply giving them my name. As a minister to the 60+ generation, I am delighted that Saddleback is still trying to “win one more to Jesus.” And for those who asked why a Christian would live there, security is certainly the main reason, along with companionship with others of similar life experiences and interests. It is a wonderful place for her to live.
Allen White on Mon, April 06, 2009
Ken, by “geezer” I meant it only with the sincerest affection and regard…
There’s one other reason for retirees to live in Laguna Woods—It’s affordable!!
CS on Mon, April 06, 2009
Growing up, both sets of my grandparents lived in very affluent communities. One pair lived in a wealthy part of town and went to church in what I would call a modest, normal church. The other pair lived amongst gated communities and went to a, “rich,” church that was in that area. And I found two totally different mindsets with how they acted and what I saw, with the former being more humble and servant-minded, and the other I saw as being more about money and status.
So, when I hear a story such as this, my natural response would be to say, “that is so money- and status-based that it is ridiculous.” But, I can’t do that anymore, because that would be wrong. People with money and without money should be treated equally. If someone is wealthy and can help God’s kingdom, praise God. If someone is poor and needs help from their church members, praise God. And it took me a long while to come to that point. Treat everyone with the same mind of Christ.
All of that said, if what Chris said in the first comment was true, and that the churches would be only 10 minutes away, then it does seem like they are catering to the wealthy, which does ring an alarm in my head. It seems like there’s not an equality of treatment. Is a 10 minute drive really that harsh? Or is it pandering to the wealthy?
—
CS
Allen White on Mon, April 06, 2009
Hey CS,
Laguna Woods is probably some of the cheapest housing in the OC.
Just FYI….
Milton Stanley on Mon, April 06, 2009
Hmm. This one really raises some fundamental questions about congregations, doesn’t it? Whether or not Saddleback’s plan is a good idea today, the Laguna Woods Village situation may have at least a loose precedent from church history. In the early centuries, when being a Christian could get you killed, weren’t most church meetings precisely the kind described here: members and invited guests only?
Also, the English teacher in me wants to make a niggling semantic point: when you wrote “blind-sighted,” didn’t you really mean “blind-sided”?
Nit-picking aside, thanks for bringing these issues to our attention. Peace.
Rich on Mon, April 06, 2009
I am not sure with the statement “follow the money” I think follow the Great Commission. If you have an opportunity to share and create an environment for people to grow in Jesus go for it. If it is harder to get in cease opportunity and be thankful for it.
David on Mon, April 06, 2009
I would think that we could all at least wait until they have their first service before we decide if it is a good or a bad idea! And, what does “follow the money” mean? What money?!
Tom on Mon, April 06, 2009
As a Church body, we do a service at a retirement / disabled persons facility. This facility only welcomes residents and family / guests. HMMMMMM!!!!
Also I am the Chaplain for my son’s Boy Scout troop. Recently we had a camp out at an (undisclosed) Navy base on the coast. We invited all of the base personnel to our beach worship service that Sunday, which of course excluded the general public. HMMMMMM!!!!
(You know,,,,, come to think of it, the Military bases have a closed campus, as it were. Can you have Church at the Base Chapel’s and thus avoid the terrible, political correctness)? HMMMMM!!!!!
Guilty as charged, and silly us, we just thought we were doing the outreach that Jesus requires of us. HMMMMM!!!!!!
Peter Hamm on Tue, April 07, 2009
There is no problem here, and no controversy except that which is manufactured.
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