The Nomadic Church: Growing Your Congregation Without Owning the Building

A guide to the opportunities and challenges facing churches that do not own their property, and what established churches can learn from them.  Across the country, churches are forgoing purchase of land and construction of buildings, choosing instead to rent space and allocate their resources to mission and leadership development. These churches are faced with a number of challenges, such as putting up and tearing down equipment every time they meet, getting the word out--especially to visitors--on where the church will gather any given week, and negotiating for additional space.  However, being nomadic provides the church with many important opportunities, including that it allows time to build the church as a community before building it with brick and mortar; it builds serious disciples by calling on members to sacrifice; and, it frees funds to be used on mission rather than mortgages. Writing for the leaders of portable congregations– well as those of more established churches who want to learn from such churches–Easum and Theodore have provided the definitive guide to ministry in the nomadic church.

Bill Easum is a President and Senior Managing Partner in Easum, Bandy and Associates, a church consulting and nurturing firm. One of the most widely sought advisors on congregational health and vitality in North America, he has over 30 years of congregational experience, with approximately 25 years' experience as pastor. One of the most respected voices on emerging forms of ministry and congregational life, he is the author of several books, including Unfreezing Moves and Put on Your Own Oxygen Mask First,  both published by Abingdon Press.

Pete Theodore is Pastor of Teaching at Rolling Hills Community Church in Tualatin, Oregon.

Bill Easum is President of The Effective Church Group, a church consulting and coaching firm. One of the most widely sought advisers on congregational health and vitality in North America, he has over 30 years of congregational experience, with approximately 25 years' experience as a pastor. One of the most respected voices on emerging forms of ministry and congregational life, he is the author of several books, including Unfreezing Moves, Put On Your Own Oxygen Mask First, Go Big!, (with Bil Cornelius), and Ministry in Hard Times (with Bill Tenny-Brittian), and Preaching for Church Transformation, all published by Abingdon Press.

Dr. Pete Theodore is Senior Pastor at Durwood Bible Church, Durwood, Maryland.