Off Premise Extension

Small congregations, especially congregations with parsonages, can use this simple and inexpensive technology. Maybe most people know about OPX; but if there is a pastor or congregation yet to to learn about it I share my experience.  OPX (Off Premise Extension)  Phone companies offer an off premise extension of your church phone line for very little per month. CenturyTel charges us $2 a month to extend the church phone line to the parsonage which is less than two miles from the church. Some phone companies base the charge by the distance between the church and the parsonage while other companies base the charge by the distance to contect through one of their main switching stations.  HOW IT WORKS  When a call rings at the church it also rings at the parsonage. The call can be received at either or both locations. Calls can be made from either location. In the parsonage phone is for church calls while other phones are for personal use.  ADVANTAGES  1. When the phone rings at home, the pastor knows whether it is a personal call or church call. 2. The congregation is not charged for an extra line. 3. The church phone bill is segregated from pastor's personal phone bill. 4. The pastor can make church calls while waiting for a personal call or vice versa. 5. Calls can be answered with a personal or church greeting. 6. The pastor or pastor's family can go online while still having a line free for other calls. 7. The pastor does not have to wait at the church for a return call that is late in coming. 8. The congregation and the bishop think that the pastor is always at work.  DISADVANTAGE  1. The line is not secure since someone could listen in on a call from the other location.  TO START  Call your phone company and ask about an off premise extension. If you ask about getting an OPX, the phone rep might think you are very tech savy or (depending on the rep) may not know what you are talking about.