I hope this finds you doing really well. I am writing to update you about The Arlington Project and our monthly Prayer Gatherings. We gathered three times over the summer to pray, to listen, and to begin to get to know one another around the mission of starting a new church. Once we were crowded into the Hanke home and twice we enjoyed the facilities of Trinity Baptist Church.
Worship Site Update
One of the primary questions for which we are seeking clarity is our worship site. There are three factors that will influence our decision:
- Location: We would like to be east of Glebe Rd, south of Lee Highway (rt 29), and north of Wilson Blvd. More precisely, between Quincy and Kirkwood. Metro accessible to Orange line corridor.
- Space: We would like to be able to seat 300 people and have room to do children’s ministry.
- Time: We would like to worship on Sunday morning with fellowship time before and after.
Our prayer has been to hit a home-run on all 3 of these. As we explore various facilities, we will evaluate them based on how close they come to this ideal. Here are the places we have considered:
Trinity Baptist Church (Quincy and 19th St).
• Location: ideal
• Space: probably seats about 100, 4 small classrooms, no large gathering space for fellowship
• Time: ideal. The current congregation is generous and supportive of what we are doing. They would like us to rent from them and are willing to flex their worship time around our needs.
Cherrydale United Methodist Church (Lorcom Ln and Nelly Custis)
• Location: a little north of ideal (Cherrydale Baptist is a strong church right around the corner as well)
• Space: ideal. Sanctuary seats about 250-300. Space for children’s ministry and fellowship.
• Time: Less than ideal-- probably Sunday night
Rivendell School (Lexington and Lee Hwy)
• Location: significantly west of ideal-- would probably change our focus demographic.
• Space: ideal. We can set up chairs for 400 at least and probably use other space for children’s ministry and fellowship.
• Time: Ideal, available on Sunday morning, probably.
So you can see the complexity of the decision and how much we need the wisdom of the Lord!! Each time we gather to pray we are talking about these things, getting feedback from you, and seeking the Lord together to hear what space He has picked out for us.
Launch Timeline Update
We have been praying about when God would have us launch this new project! The two most viable options are Easter 2009 (April 12) and Sept 13, 2009 (start of school). We have had lively discussions about the merits of both and the topic has been a good catalyst for questions of who we are trying to reach and how will we reach them. God has met us as we’ve talked and prayed. At this time we are hoping to begin weekly worship as a launch team in January 2009, using the Lenten season to pray for our outreach to the wider community, then a public launch on Easter. All of this is very tentative and contingent on things like worship space, worship leader, and a sense of God’s favor for this timeline. Please pray with us about this important decision.
Those who influence The Arlington Project
I have attached a document that I put together to describe the various influencers on what we are building together. I am calling the folks who gather with us each month to pray, the launch team. God is using these people to shape The Arlington Project. Everyone’s voice is important and heard at the launch team prayer gatherings. If you want to be a part of shaping this project, come pray with us each month. I hope it is helpful to you to see the other spheres of influence.
Next Prayer Gathering
On September 9, from 7:30-9pm, we will gather at Cherrydale United Methodist to pray. This is a chance for us to explore another potential worship site and to discuss the merits of our various space options. We will also continue to pray about our timeline. Currently we only have 4 prayer gatherings left before we begin weekly worship!! This is an ideal time to jump on board the project. Thanks for praying and asking God to bring more of His Kingdom to Arlington.
Handout for next Prayer Gathering
We are reading a chapter from Bill Hybel’s book, Courageous Leadership about team and community for the next prayer gathering. If you did not pick it up, you can find copies on the outside of Southgate 108 at TFC.
Places to find TAP updates:
TFC website under satellite congregations
Facebook Group: The Arlington Project
My blog: davidmartinhanke.blogspot.com
