Or if we had decided that we needed their financial support in order to buy food and help pay household expenses. If we were to consider doing this again, I think I would insist on more discussion beforehand, with some written statement of understanding to prevent disagreement and misunderstanding. Our family and home experience is more than a metaphor for shared-space ministries. If anything, it underscores the intense personal issues that are likely to emerge when congregations choose to meet separately in the same building. A document that our office has recently developed, a Statement of Understanding, is intended to encourage the multiple use of church buildings where such arrangements foster evangelism and the development of new churches, especially among immigrants.
Immigrants quickly become permanent residents.
Soon they will become citizens. Their children will be native-born children of immigrants like most of the rest of the population. And they will become a more important part of the church as society becomes increasingly multicultural. While the relationship between most host and guest congregations is amicable, we are aware of enough problems to make careful planning and constant evaluation necessary. The Statement of Understanding is a model or outline intended to give shape and structure to those engaging in shared-space ministry, as well as prevent potential misunderstanding.