Sunday, February 19, 2012

The short answer...

• We're running out of room at our Manayunk location.

A longer answer...

• Purchasing and renovating a large enough building with adequate parking would be cost prohibitive at this time.
• Our mission at Epic is to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus. Anything that limits our ability to do that is a challenge we must overcome. Starting a second campus is the best way to free up more seats for continued growth at our Manayunk location and it gives us an opportunity to reach an entirely different group of people who live in and around Center City.

• Most people who currently attend Epic live in or around the Manayunk, Rox, or East Falls areas. The second largest group of people who attend Epic live in and or around Center City. Starting the second location in Center City gives us the greatest opportunity for success and gives us a strategic location as we continue doing all we can to make as big of an impact as we can in our city.

• We are not starting a new church. The best way to describe what we're doing is to say that we will be one church meeting in two locations.
• One campus will not be any better than the other. When you choose to go to either campus you are not giving up anything in the way of quality or expectations. There will be the same great music, same teaching, same programs for kids, and the same hospitality at both locations.

The difference?

• We'll make a greater impact in our city because we'll have more seats and meeting options available to reach more people.
  One church, two locations. And we can't wait...

• Manayunk: United Artists Theater @ 3720 Main Street, Philadelphia, PA 19127
• Center City: Suzanne Roberts Theater. 480 South Broad Street (Broad & Lombard), Philadelphia, PA 19146

• Manayunk: 9 am and 10:15 am
• Center City: 11:30 am

• Each location will have its own teams of people to set up and staff the services. Since the service times don't overlap whoever is teaching will drive over to Center City after wrapping up the second service in Manayunk

• The music at all locations will always be live. Teaching at all locations will be live until we have two services in Center City at which point we'll begin incorporating video teaching at some services both in Center City and Manayunk. We’ve found that video teaching can be just as effective as in-person teaching and will include more of that in our services if the situation dictates that we do so.

• Kent Jacobs will continue to serve as lead pastor of Epic Church with support from pastoral staff at both locations.

• Rock n Roll in Manayunk, and Polka in Center City. (Just kidding.) The music will be great at both locations just like it is now.

• Yes. We will have the same programming for Nursery, Preschool, and Elementary kids. We plan to add a Junior High class at a later time.

• We'll continue to offer life groups and people from both locations will be free to choose what group they attend.

• Our budget is $50,000 over the first quarter. This includes start up costs, equipment purchases, and the additional staffing that will be required.

• Of course. Wouldn’t dream of doing church without it.

• Parking isn't an issue in Manayunk but will be a little more of a challenge in Center City. We anticipate that a large number of people in Center City will walk, but for those who choose not to there are both street and paid parking readily available in addition to easy access from public transportation.

• Yes, it is important that you choose a campus and commit to attending there. By committing to one campus, you can truly get involved in and feel a part of what is happening in that particular community. You can also serve strategically on one of the campus' teams. It benefits you and the campus to which you commit if you choose one campus to attend.

• Starting a new campus is no small task, but we can do it if we all pull together. It will take everyone though. Here's how you can help.

  Serve - Commit to serve on a ministry team as several of our current team members will be going to serve at Center City.

  Give - Expenses will rise considerably and we need everyone to give sacrificially so that we can continue moving forward.

  Pray - Our church was birthed out of prayer and we know that nothing else we attempt will be accomplished without prayer being a big part of it. Join us in praying, "God, I want what you want for Epic. Help me to do my part."

  Invite - At Epic you are never more than 7 days away from an event you can invite someone to that can really make a difference in their life. As we do all we can as a church "for the one" I hope you realize that some of those "ones" are people God has already placed in your life. They are co-workers, friends, family, neighbors and one day the story of their journey toward faith could include... YOU. Be an inviter and see what God does as a result.

• Starting a new campus is no small task, but we can do it if we all pull together. It will take everyone though. Here's how you can help.

  Serve - Commit to serve on a ministry team as there will be a huge need to staff teams that will be starting from scratch.

  Give - Expenses will rise considerably and we need everyone to give sacrificially so that we can continue moving forward.

  Pray - Our church was birthed out of prayer and we know that nothing else we attempt will be accomplished without prayer being a big part of it. Join us in praying, "God, I want what you want for Epic. Help me to do my part."

  Invite - At Epic you are never more than 7 days away from an event you can invite someone to that can really make a difference in their life. As we do all we can as a church "for the one" I hope you realize that some of those "ones" are people God has already placed in your life. They are co-workers, friends, family, and one day the story of their journey toward faith will include... YOU. Be an inviter and see what God does as a result.