Answers to Common MORE Questions

The MORE initiative has launched. MORE is the expanded vision for Vintage Church over the next two years. There are 3 aspects of MORE: MORE resources for our church, MORE environments for our city, and MORE impact for our world. Materials are posted online at www.vcnola.com/more. 

In effort to be as helpful and informative as possible, we want to provide some answers to some common questions. The complete list of Questions & Answers can be found on pages 21-22 of the MORE booklet. Also Pastors and staff will facilitate a time after the gatherings on August 9th & August 16th to answer questions. We invite you to join us.

WHY DO WE NEED TO EXPAND VINTAGE CHURCH? 

Our mission drives us. Jesus has called Vintage Church to Gospel Multiplication. We have, we are, and we will continue to live the gospel, serve the city, and be the church in New Orleans and beyond. With so many people in our city and world that need Jesus, we are compelled to keep expanding Vintage Church. Our current resources, environments, and impact are limited and are running out of space. This new initiative will provide for MORE. 

HOW LONG HAS VINTAGE BEEN WORKING ON THIS VISION? WHAT WERE THE OTHER OPTIONS AND HOW DID WE ARRIVE AT THIS EXPANDED VISION? 

Honestly, we started working on this vision the moment that Jesus called our Lead Pastor to plant Vintage Church. This journey has taken our individuals, community groups, and gatherings into so many exciting directions and locations all over the city. There has never been an option of not working on an expanded vision. A church without an expanded vision is a dead church. The MORE Initiative has been strategically worked on for the last two years. The first and third focuses of the MORE Initiative have always been a major part of our vision and will continue to be a major part of our vision. We are continuing to pray for MORE resources for our church and MORE impact for our world. In regards to MORE environments for our city, we considered a number of options. We considered selling our Jefferson property, finding another united location, and going all-in at Vintage Jefferson and leaving Orleans. After much prayer, research, working with strategic partner churches and church consultants, and discussion with our Vintage leadership, Jesus has called and affirmed the MORE Initiative as His next steps.

WHAT ARE THE EXPANDED MINISTRY AND LEADERSHIP DETAILS FOR THE FOCUS OF MORE RESOURCE FOR OUR CHURCH? 

We are raising our annual budget in order to provide more resources for our generations, outreach, and arts ministries. With regard to our generations, we are excited to see these ministries grow, and we will equip them with the resources needed to keep going to another level. We are also excited to expand generations into all the different ages and stages of life that are represented in our church. We are hoping to implement a full-time leader that will oversee our generations ministry. With regard to our outreach, we are excited to come alongside our current ministry partners in our city and around the world with more resources. With regard to our arts, the Vintage Arts Center will give us some new ministry opportunities that we will take to another level with these resources. 

WHAT ARE THE DETAILS OF MORE ENVIRONMENTS FOR OUR CITY? 

• Vintage Orleans Vintage Arts Center details: This September, we are officially launching our Vintage Arts Center. Newly re-designed, the Arts Center will be even more outfitted as an ideal creative environment and event venue. It will be capable of hosting a diverse array of gatherings, recording sessions, displays, parties, and performances. Our desire is to bridge community, creativity, culture, and celebration. 
• Vintage Jefferson Expansion & Renovation details: We are going to expand and renovate Vintage Jefferson due to the current limitations of the property. This will be phase 1 of a master plan that will eventually maximize our property into a Vintage Community Center for our church and our city. Phase 1 will be connected with the property master plan of the Vintage Community Center. 

WHAT IS THE PLAN FOR THE WORK AND COMPLETION OF OUR NEW ENVIRONMENTS? 

It is our plan that the Vintage Arts Center and the Vintage Jefferson Expansion and Renovation will take place this fall. In order to complete this, Vintage Church will seek to finance a construction loan. During the month of August, we will unite as ONE CHURCH on Sunday mornings in a controlled environment tent on the Vintage Jefferson property for the launch of the MORE Initiative. We will celebrate the beginning of the expansion and renovation of our Vintage Jefferson property in September. Our Vintage Arts team will be preparing the Vintage Arts Center through the month of August for an official launch of our ministry also in September. In the fall, our church will gather on Sunday mornings in a controlled environment tent and on Sunday nights at the Vintage Arts Center. It is our hope to move into our newly expanded and renovated property on Sunday mornings as soon as possible.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR THE MORE IMPACT FOR OUR WORLD FOCUS TO RECEIVE 10% OF THE MORE INITIATIVE? 

Vintage Church has always dedicated 10% and above to ministry opportunities that extend beyond our church family and into our world. We want to continue in this priority. In order for us to accomplish this vision, we are uniting together to give to ONE Fund. As we believe in Scripture, this is just the beginning. The tithe is not a ceiling for us; it is a trampoline. Our united giving as Vintage Church is not about equal giving; it is about equal sacrifice. We are praying for generous sacrifices. Scripture proves that God’s heart is moved more by someone who gives a $1,000 contribution that is 15% of their income than someone else who gives $10,000 that is 2% of their income. As Vintage Church is modeling this 10% sacrifice, we are also asking for everyone in our church to consider obediently giving at least 10% of their income and resources to the Lord. Let’s sacrifice equally together! 

HOW CAN I BEGIN GIVING TO THE MORE INITIATIVE? 

There are 3 ways to give: In Person at a weekend gathering, Online by setting up a recurring gift at www.vintagechurchnola.com/give, or by Mail: Vintage Church 6221 S. Claiborne Ave. #609 New Orleans, LA 70125.