V. V.

Six months ago we created a VIDEO VENUE in our youth auditorium on Sunday mornings. In house, we lovingly call it "V. V." (www.kenoshafirst.com) Two of our staff pastors handle the administration and leadership and give face time to it.

It's going well. Anywhere from 60 - 100 people are there week-to-week. Our goal for 2010 is that 200 people would be there. The auditorium seats over 700. We're not there to re-shuffle the deck, even though we have some people who have moved over there to help get it off the ground. Our vision is new people coming to faith who would be attracted by that kind of setting - informal, cafe-style, great live worship, casual, message on video.

Some people have asked why we're doing it, since we have another perfectly good service 500 feet away in the larger auditorium at the same time. What's our motivation?

Good question. Easy question.

We have a focus on the Great Commission. Our strongest drive is to see people come to faith in Christ. That likelihood is increased when there is another option for those who don't find our current offerings acceptable for some reason or another. The Great Commission - "GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES" - pushes us.

We desire our culture to become that of multiplication. Jesus shared the principle of the sower where the one who planted reaped 30, 60 or 100 times what had been sown. We have similar hearts for small groups in our church. Here's a small group. Does it ever add new people at healthy times in its life? At some point, does it need to multiply itself? Yes. Most agree with this principle. Few enjoy it. Fewer still do it. And even less churches have engrained multiplication into their culture, resisting the dividing rather than celebrating the adding. We're trying to get there.

We are willing to remove barriers to reach more people. Sometimes even larger churches hit growth barriers. This is just another way to continue growth. Some people just like the 'smaller church' setting, while at the same time getting the benefits of what 'large churches' can offer in terms of ministries and outreaches, not to mention ministry to their students and children.

We are willing to seize the opportunity. Some churches become multi-site or add services out of necessity. They've outgrown their space. Though we are growing - last year our congregation grew by 12% - the V.V. sprung up more out of opportunity than space issues. Carpe Diem.

If you're in the area and haven't tried out the Video Venue out, why not come experience it?

And be blessed.