[Recorded live at Exponential] One of the most critical decisions a church planter has to make in its early years is when to purchase a permanent location. Church planting leaders Lee Stephenson and Danny Parmelee discuss their experiences moving from portable to permanent, along with the possible positives and negatives that come with the move.
0:33 - Lee talks about the transitioning aspect of moving from portable to permanent

1:16 - Danny shares about his experience of moving from portable to permanent and vice versa

2:01 - Lee talks about his experience of purchasing a property after being in a portable location for three years

3:04 - Lee shares about one of the most critical decisions a church plant has to make in its early years of ministry. When do we buy a building?

3:48 - Lee and Danny talk about the importance of establishing your church before buying a building and not putting too much emphasis on the building itself

4:59 - Danny and Lee discuss the advantages of being portable (financial, freedom to move)

6:32 - Danny and Lee talk about how moving to a permanent location won't solve all of your problems

7:34 - Danny and Lee talk about helping volunteers stay connected after you move from portable to permanent

10:28 - Lee cautions that even though moving from portable to permanent is a positive change, you're still going to lose people

11:49 - Danny shares about how God's timing was perfect in his church's move from portable to permanent

14:14 - Danny talks about the challenges of finding a location in an urban environment

15:14 - Lee talks about how you never know how God is going to open doors when the timing is right

18:43 - Lee likens the move from portable to permanent to a surfer riding a wave. The challenge is: Are you a surfer who can ride that wave? Are you ready?

19:26 - Danny says that if your church is not healthy in a portable location, moving to a permanent location will only magnify those problems

21:02 - Danny talks about the process of purchasing their first permanent building

24:02 - Lee talks about the growth spurt his church experienced after moving to a permanent location and the challenges that presented

24:28 - Lee gives six signs that you're ready to ride the wave generated from moving to a permanent facility

29:14 - Lee and Danny share about some problems/challenges (expected/unexpected) that are created by moving to a permanent building

40:07 - Danny recommends that church planters who are looking for a permanent facility contact the Converge Cornerstone Fund

41:20 - Q&A: "Could you share about some of your failures?"

47:40 - Q&A: "How you do you balance taking the plunge to get ready for taking on more but making sure you have a good enough system in place to handle incoming growth?"

51:00 - Q&A: "Is there a certain amount of money or a percentage that is healthy for a church to borrow when moving to permanent?"