Home Church Nashville

MatthewSimmonsPhoto★☆☆☆☆3 years ago

I've been struggling with whether or not to write this, but after a lot of prayer/self reflection, I think it's important to share my experience with this church. In fall 2019 I met the pastor, Jason and some of the leadership at the church. Jason, myself and two of my business partners agreed to help the church bring in extra money by renovating the rooms the church wasn't using and turning them into studio/co-working spaces. The church agreed to rent us rooms for very low rent in return for using our own cash to renovate the spaces and make them usable. I spent about $12,000 and 18 months gutting the room they rented to me and renovating it. I, along with my partners also invested a good deal of time and money in the common areas and other rooms we were working on that would be rented to outside tenants. I felt like I had built a close relationship with the church, and that we were all helping each other so I didn't mind helping out wherever I could. It was a very nice, symbiotic relationship. We signed leases for the rooms. I found several friends and colleagues to rent the remaining rooms we had finished renovating. All in all, the church was now making thousands of dollars it wasn't making before we came in. I turned the room I was renting into a photography studio. It had been open for just 2 months after finishing the renovations when I got an email from Jason. He sent the email to myself and the other 8 tenants who had moved into the rooms we had renovated. In the email, Jason let us know that the church had an old and unsafe HVAC system that could go out at any moment, and it needed to be replaced as soon as possible. In order to pay for it, he let us know that the church decided to hand over all of the rooms we had just renovated to an outside co-working company called 313. He relayed that there was nothing he could do, and that actually this was going to be good for everyone because 313 would let us stay in our rented rooms AND they would be bringing in extra amenities that we couldn't afford otherwise. Instead, 313 DRAMATICALLY raised all of our rents, and told us they would be dividing most of the rooms into smaller spaces. They told me they were going to divide my studio in half and charge $2500 for the rent. I was stunned, and disappointed that the church would throw us all under the bus like that just to make a buck. I understood that the church was in a financial bind, but this didn't seem like the right way to do things. I called Jason, confused, and asked him why the church would do this. He kept repeating that there was nothing that he could do, and it was just a hard decision that was going to hurt SOMEONE and it ended up being us. I asked why he didn't tell me sooner. Surely I could have helped bring in more money. I also asked, where was the money they were bringing in now going? Why were they giving us only two months to get out now? It all felt so abrupt, and cruel, and blindsiding. I thought we had built trust with this church In the end, all of the tenants and friends I had hooked up with great studio spaces in a time when money was tight during the pandemic were kicked out. Including myself. The exit process was a nightmare. The church, and 313 were despicable in the way they treated us on the way out. The owner of 313 was unnecessarily cruel and mean spirited during the process. 313 emptied my utility closet and took all of my belongings, and then wouldn't return them no matter how many times I asked. Jason didn't seem to understand that forcing 9 small business onto the street during the pandemic wasn't a very christlike look. I felt especially bad for a man who actually WAS a member at Home Church. The church agreed to allow him to open a coffee shop in the foyer. He bought thousands of dollars worth of equipment and machines, and opened his shop inside the front doors. He was kicked out too because 313 wanted to put in their own coffee shop. I hope this story helps you decide whether to attend this church. Attaching before/after photos of my space.

Brandon Jacobs★★★★★8 years ago

The teaching was encouraging. People were friendly, also really diverse. The pastor held the door open for us and was a super nice guy. The people doing the kids classes were fantastic, my daughters had a lot of fun and told me all about their lesson, sounded like good character-building stuff. I really recommend this place.

Jessie Ridenour★★★★★5 years ago

Modernistic service, welcoming, the word of God without a lot of other stuff. Give them a chance you'll love it.

Larry Ritchie★★★★★3 years ago

Very friendly place, fantastic music and great messages

William Allen★★★★★3 years ago

The pastor spoke a good word and the people were friendly.

Just Fine★★★★★3 years ago

So welcoming...God's presence is felt at Home Church

Dan Lins★★★★★8 years ago

Best coffee of any church anywhere. Very welcoming.

Stephanie Shepherd★★★★★5 years ago

Very welcoming and friendly!

Shar★★★☆☆6 years ago

Everyone was very nice.

DeNajae' Galler★★★★★7 years ago

Very welcoming!!@