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Post Info TOPIC: Christ Church opens Rockaway campus (article)


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Christ Church opens Rockaway campus (article)




Christ Church opens Rockaway campus


Monday, February 25, 2008

By TANYA DROBNESS
of The Montclair Times

A Montclair nondenominational church with a membership of nearly 6,000 the largest congregation in the township will open its Rockaway site for worship services.

The Rockaway Township Planning Board ruled earlier this month that Christ Church can begin holding services at a 1,000-capacity temporary site on the Morris County campus on Green Pond Pond, which was the former home of Agilent Technologies.

The services will start at the end of August 2008 and continue until the church completes a massive sanctuary in about two years that will hold 2,500 seats, said the churchs senior pastor, the Rev. David Ireland.

The church began its search for an additional site seven years ago because its 900-seat sanctuary in Montclair was too small for a congregation growing by leaps and bounds, Ireland said.

The church in Montclair will continue to hold its five services throughout the weekend, one on Saturday evening and four on Sundays, which often leads to massive traffic and parking conditions around Church Street.

When Christ Church bought the cathedral from a Baptist church in 1994, there was a much smaller membership of 500.

The congregation, which last year was reported to have 5,000 members, has since drawn about another 1,000 worshippers, representing 40 different nationalities, Ireland said.

The pastor attributes the churchs growth to an organizational structure that helps take care of people, referring to the churchs administration; relevant teachings in parenting, money management, work ethics and how to build spiritual living, along with inspiring and moving services.

The new facility is located 21 miles west from the Montclair cathedral, and will be a central point for the congregations followers, with 20 percent of them residing in Morris County. Most congregants come from throughout Essex, Bergen and Middlesex counties, as well as from New York and Pennsylvania.

We looked for six years to find a facility within a 30-minute radius of Montclair, Ireland said. It was very central.

He noted that his congregation agreed it was a move in the right direction. They were not the challenge, the pastor said. They recognized the need for space and so they welcomed it.

In Rockaway, there will be two Sunday services at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., and live worship will take place in both locations along with Sunday school. Some services in Montclair and Rockaway will be transmitted via satellite to the other location, Ireland said.

In March 2007, the church received approval to build its campus from Rockaway Township after three years of opposition from local residents who expressed environmental and traffic concerns.

That fight led to the church filing a federal religious discrimination lawsuit against the township, claiming it had violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.

We had to work through every hurdle, Ireland said.

We dropped the lawsuit but succeeded with the application [to build], Ireland said. They had no other alternatives. Our application met all the conditions that the location was suitable for a church.

Contact Tanya Drobness at drobness@montclairtimes.com.

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Once again, what they say and then say later are two different things. Originally they stated that they would only have one service and then move to two later on if needed. If you re-read the original article from the SL that was what was said. This article says they are starting with two. I also thought the Sunday School was a separate issue and couldnt be opened until the pollution remediation was taken care of. It looks like they want to get their satellite transmission studios up and running right away too. Also note that they are already admitting to an increase in membership by 1,000. I wonder what the real number is. I figure it wont be long until we hear that their DEP exemption sailed through again too. You wont have to listen too hard to hear the thundering of the elephants coming up Green Pond Rd. very soon.

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This entire outcome was very easily predicted right from the get-go years ago. It is all right here on this forum; research it if you choose.

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Not so fast....

The Bever and Hibernia Brooks have now been deemed full C-1 status - thus the current plans have only set up 150 foot buffers, which do not meet the new regulations of 300 foot buffers. Also I find this article very interesting - if you recall that during the testimony membership numbers would not be given in terms of growth - now, for the first time in almost 5 years we hear a new number 6,000 members. I am sure that the planning board will be happy to see some numbers that they can work with in what is going to be the second round.

We now have a new state law banning schools on IRCA sites, new storm water regualtions, new C-1 regualtions, a down turning economy, and millions of dollars needed to bring this land up to current code. This situation is far from over... Further as of last week, no permits have been filed for for the temp. sanctuary.

The next round will be coming and in the mean time we are still collecting taxes on the property. There are more things that prove what we have been saying since day one are still major factors that may well protect that property now and in the future.

Lisa


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The truth wins out over slick PR and personal attacks. The Christ Church Plan for the redevelopment of 140 Green Pond Rd is just too big for the area.


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ChuckMueller wrote:

...the thundering of the elephants coming up Green Pond Rd. very soon.



I sure hope one of them wants to buy my house in a couple years.

-- Edited by karen at 09:57, 2008-03-03

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Karen,

If our experience provides any indication of the gravity of the situation, you will be able to sell your house so long as you have no issues with taking a big loss.

Rat

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BR


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This news story is nothing more than a cheap PR stunt. There are a lot of church members who donated hard earned money towards the promise of a new facility for the past 4 years - In an act of desperation CC Inc is trying to show shareholders some progress. (and shed some tax liability) Setting up folding chairs for a handfull of people to watch a live feed from Montcalir is not going to cut it

I see this playing out in the favor of RT. It will drag out for many more years due to legal and environmental concerns - Iralnd will have to throw in the towel on this money pit - at the same time, the megachurch fad will pass and his customer base will dwindle






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Amen, BR.

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