Prayer Ministry & Floor Plan

Corissa
Junior Member

Posts: 88

Prayer Ministry & Floor Plan Jul 1, 2015 20:41:52 GMT

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Post by Corissa on Jul 1, 2015 20:41:52 GMT

As we consider various floor plans, I think we should evaluate them in light of our priorities as a church. Prayer Ministry is very important for our church, and so the location should have a high priority when choosing the layout of the sanctuary.

Prayer ministry should be visible and centrally located. ==> It should be located near the stage.

Prayer ministry should be in a place with minimal noise and traffic distractions. ==> It should not be "too close" to the Hospitality area, the Welcome Center, the main sanctuary door, or any major traffic paths. (What is "too close?" I'm not sure.)

Question: In general, can Prayer ministry be between the stage and the front row of seats, or is this inadvisable for some reason?

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Analysis of Prayer Ministry options by floor plan (diagram available by clicking on floor plan name in blue)

Stage on West wall: If prayer is on the north side of the stage it is in the Hospitality area. In this configuration the area between the stage and the first row of seats is likely to become a major pathway between the door and the Hospitality area, because people are extremely unlikely to walk the entire perimeter of the room to get between these 2 locations.Prayer has to be between stage and the entry door. For a 12 x 30 stage (which is the size I have heard mentioned) this leaves an area approx. 20 feet between the entry door was and the stage. The front edge of this space will be close to a major walkway. The far south side (near the door) will also be busy. Is this space desirable for prayer ministry?

Stage on North Wall: If prayer is on the west side of the stage it is in the Hospitality area. Prayer could go between the stage and the first row, if shifted more toward the east (window) side of the room. Alternately, prayer could be to the east side of the stage, between the stage and the windows. This area is approx. 7 feet wide between the stage and windows and 15 feet deep. Is one of these two spaces good for ministry time?

Stage in SE Corner: The area between the stage and the office door would be very small and possibly busy. I feel like the area between the stage and the front row will be a trafficway for people walking from the office or window area seating to the main sanctuary door (although this is unlikely to be the main path of people using the Hospitality area). Prayer would most likely need to go to the west of the stage, between the stage and the sanctuary door. This area is approx. 7 feet deep by 17 feet long (from stage to sanctuary door). How well would this space work for ministry time?

Which of these options provides the best location for Prayer Ministry? Do any of these options fail to provide a suitable location for Prayer Ministry?

dave
New Member

Posts: 26

Prayer Ministry & Floor Plan Jul 2, 2015 1:50:06 GMT

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Post by dave on Jul 2, 2015 1:50:06 GMT

I think we should always assume that prayer ministry is going to be right in front of the stage; it might also be to a side. But keeping it in the center also communicates something about its importance & centrality.

If the stage is on the west wall, I don't think the hospitality area should go in that corner. I know there is a window in the wall there that seems perfect for serving, but I don't think it is a good option. If the fellowship area was moved east, so it is more towards the center or east side of the room (still along the wall), it makes everything easier. There is no conflict with a prayer area in terms of proximity, and people would no longer need to walk in front of the stage to get to it.

ajfred
New Member

Posts: 10

Prayer Ministry & Floor Plan Jul 2, 2015 3:59:04 GMT

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Post by ajfred on Jul 2, 2015 3:59:04 GMT

W
S N
E

Thanks for thinking through the options.
I'd like to propose a different configuration.
No matter where the stage it, it seems like the best place for hospitality is NOT by the stage, but on the side or in the back.
With the stage on the West wall:
1) Nothing to the left or right except what will help us focus on worship-- art. plants, banners etc.
2) Prayer happens in front of the stage, but when the Holy Spirit falls or we have different things going on, we move to the side
3) Communion stations to to the sides also (Moving to do this weekly)
4) As people come in the door they are met by greeters and ushered the hospitality area.(No Table here. It will create a traffic jam)
In the NE corner we have a huge display with everything we do, photos of our activities and leader, take-home flyers, how to get involved etc. The words WELCOME CENTER is visible from the door, and people can stand with their cup of coffee, browse around and talk to small group leaders who are there to answer questions and help them connect.
5) The kitchen, coffee bar and fellowship area with small tables and chairs are scattered where the stage is now. People can sit there even during the service, but the coffee bar is closed during the service. This area is part of our welcome and exudes welcome, coziness, a place to hang out and visit even after church since people are coming from long distances. Here we can even serve lunch and invite students to hang out.
6) It we really need extra storage besides the 2nd mens room and what is left over in the kitchen, we can build it where the nursing mother's area is now.
7) The office can hold comfy seating for moms with toddlers and a partition for those who want to nurse in private. Sound piped in.
8) The other option is to have one of the kitchen areas outfitted to be a private mom's corner. How much space do we really need for this, and how often?
9) The thing that is sorely lacking is a teen room. We have few now, but what about later? We can probably use the 2nd men's bathroom for the teens instead of storage, which means building storage space in the sanctuary, again, probably where the nursing mom's area is now.
10) If we think the door will be awkward for people, we can put a curved wall/partition there to direct people with some privacy toward the back.
11) I strongly suggest that the kids do NOT enter through the hallway. It will most probably be dark, and it will be awkward for people who want to get through to the sanctuary. Sean, I thoughthad the idea of having the kids drop off inside the doorway off the foyer. That will eliminate foyer chaos too.

I don't know how to create these floor plans, so I just wrote over Corissa's. Hope it's visible.
How can I get a blank floor plan?

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Post by Corissa on Jul 1, 2015 20:41:52 GMT

Post by dave on Jul 2, 2015 1:50:06 GMT

Post by ajfred on Jul 2, 2015 3:59:04 GMT

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