Other Impressions/Thoughts/Lessons of Bay Area Fellowship

Facilities: Here is a growing church that has built a functional, impressive church facility that in no way could be labeled “excessive” or “wasteful”. As you see from the exterior shots, it could pass for a business center, warehouse, or small arena. It’s primarily finished out with “upscale warehouse” motif, painted concrete floors in most areas, and above all else it is CLEAN! Every hallway, every bathroom, every classroom was spotless and uncluttered. We really need to look at our building (and my office) with some fresh eyes.

Helpful Volunteers & Staff: Cathy Harwick and John Atkinson were two of the paid staff who were amazingly helpful and patient in showing us around and answering a hundred questions. The greeters and these two pastors made a tremendous positive impression on us. They did more than give us the “party line”. They were obviously loyal to and passionate about the leadership and vision from the senior pastor, but were free to acknowledge on some topics that the jury was still out as to whether something was going to work in the long run.

Within their particular ministry areas, they were completely focused and sure of what they were trying to accomplish. In answer to a number of “How do you …?” questions, Cathy’s answer was “Vision. Vision. Vision.” It was her way of saying, we have to constantly repeat what we are doing and why we are doing it.

POSITIVES:

• Obvious attention given to preschool/children’s ministry. Clear they are trying to reach young families.
• Theme development in children’s facilities.
• Helpful staff.
• Commitment to excellence.
• Volunteers are routinely praised and encouraged by each other and the staff.
• Nice programs, which were really more of a brochure than a typical weekly bulletin.
  

NEED TO WORK ON:

• Worship seemed too staged – no sense of audience engagement or unity in praise.
• Focus on youth seemed light, compared to that which was on the children.
• Greeting was too short (as opposed to Crossroads, which is probably too long)
• We wondered if I hadn’t introduced myself as a pastor, if anyone would have spoken to us.
• Temperature was too cold (according to Vanessa and Mikaela). I thought it was wonderful.
• The message was ok, but the girls said it reminded them more of a youth pastor’s message.
• Directions to the facility were too vague on the website. I also couldn’t find email contact information for any of the staff, except on their blogs.