Resources for Satellite Worship
By Dottie Yunger

Many congregations today, regardless of their size, are thinking of church “outside the box” – that is, worship in a non-traditional setting. In response to this need, there are several companies specializing in portable staging, seating, sound and lighting equipment, and trailers for churches on the move. They offer a wide range of individual components and customized packages, including the trailer to store and transport the equipment. These companies assess the congregation’s needs and outfit them accordingly. For a church just starting down the road toward mobility, they can offer a variety of prepackaged or customized options and a wealth of knowledge about what works in different settings. (See “Church in a Box,” Christianity Today, Jan/Feb 2000.) Prepackaged starter trailers can be selected based on the number of worshippers or the type of meeting space (school cafeteria, gymnasium, etc.) Prices range from about $10,000 for the most modest starter trailers to $150,000 or more for larger, more complex systems.

Two of these companies are:

Church On Wheels
www.churchonwheels.com
COW’s parent company HMC Display has been in business for over 35 years and claims a loyal following in churches, malls, hotels, convention centers, professional sports franchises and movie theaters.

PortableChurch Industries
www.portablechurch.com
PCI is a Christian-owned and operated company with ten years experience assisting portable churches. PCI considers itself a ministry, and while this company is not for everyone, whether it is because of budget or need, they are committed to quality, portability, and customized design. Read about a pastor’s personal experience with PCI at the following blog:
www.scottwhitaker.blogspot.com/2006/03/my-experience-with-portable-church.html

Dottie Yunger is a program assistant of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

> Back to Leading Ideas