I doubt that many of you have heard this, because it's been happening in a really silent way - no announcements or emails or anything - but for various financial reasons, MBCC is considering opting out of its Potrero Hill location. Yeah, I know this comes as a surprise. Anyway, here's the dish as I* see it:
We were planning to approach the analysis of our options in a somewhat leisurely and orderly way, assuming that our funding would hold steady as it always has in the past. Sort of a "sufficient unto the day" philosophy. The options we were considering were: finding more subtenants to help us stay in our place, starting a nonprofit to help us stay in our place, finding a way to buy our building or another building, and moving. There may have been more, now that I think about it, but those are the ones I remember.
Then, we got approached about an opportunity to lease a portion of the space at Ocean Avenue Presbyterian in the Excelsior. The space would be basically free, so investigating this opportunity took the front seat for a moment. Emails and announcements flew, walk throughs ensued, and now the conversation is heating up, and the question is: What are we going to do?
We can take the space at OAPC, or we can wait and explore other options. As I write, some individuals are looking at the viability of the OAPC space, and some others are talking with theatres in SF about whether we can use their space. Others in the congregation who were working on purchase and nonprofit opportunities are standing by and willing to continue pursuing those options, if that's the route we want to take.
I have to be honest: I think it's a difficult decision. And I'm really glad that the town hall meeting was so well-attended and participatory. It's easy to be apathetic about a move, but I think we will get a better result (e.g., better for the congregation as a whole) if we continue to be engaged in the process, even if at the end of the day we don't care too much where MBCC is or we are pretty sure that all of the options could be made to work. We're the church; we will feel the impacts and ramifications of a move. No one person or group of people should have to make a decision of this magnitude "blindly" - without input from the people who are really going to be impacted. So. Rock on MBCC for being opinionated!
And in that vein, I offer some things for you to be opinionated about. I believe there will be some more location discussions on Sunday (possibly more informal?), and I hope you participate in them. Heck, start your own if you want. Or even (gasp) respond to this post and share some thoughts!
Do you regularly drive to church? If yes, how much hassle are you willing to go through to park your car? Also, what about paying to park? Is parking a non-negotiable for you (e.g., would you stop attending if you couldn't park)?
What about those of you who take public transportation? How many times are you willing to transfer? How long are you willing to sit on that MUNI bus?
Which neighborhoods do you think would be the "best" for the church? Whether you measure in terms of ease of access, desirability/posh factor, proximity to Starbucks, etc. - what 'hoods are the best? Conversely, which are the worst? And, of course, which would you not step foot into, come hell or high water?
Could you (and would you) come to a service that was at a different time on Sunday? What's too early, and what's too late? What about a non-Sunday service?
If we found a new location for MBCC that was a good location in other respects, but required us to store
our "stuff" off-site, would you be willing to volunteer for transport/set up/tear down?
How would you feel about moving into a "temporary" location - something we knew wouldn't work long term but would allow us to retrench financially, regroup organizationally, and prepare for a move into something more permanent?
What "wants" would you be willing to trade if it meant the church could operate more smoothly and maximize the resources (time and money, especially) we apply toward realizing our mission? What "wants" are non-negotiable for you?
*Views expressed by Lisa should not be considered to reflect the views of Bruce or MBCC as a whole.
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