MEGACHURCH PROFILE: Pantano Christian Church

By Kent Fillinger

Located in the picturesque desert city of Tucson, Arizona, Pantano Christian Church has increasingly touched the local community through a series of strategic changes that have moved its ministry forward over the last several years.

The most significant shift started almost five years ago, when executive minister Glen Elliott approached senior minister Tim Coop to ask about his future role and the process of creating a succession plan. Through these early conversations and the assistance of an external consultant, Pantano established a three-year transition plan.

The first step was taken in 2004, when Coop and Elliott introduced the idea of a pastoral transition with the elders, staff, ministry leaders, and ultimately the congregation. Then last year, after Glen Elliott was deemed the successor, he increased his teaching visibility and leadership responsibility. The final stage this year is for Elliott to function as lead pastor under the direction of Coop, in preparation for final congregational approval this fall.

Next January, when the pastoral transition is complete and Elliott is officially the lead pastor, Coop will continue to serve on the staff as pastor of ministry development. Coop will oversee special projects, lead in new ministry initiatives, and continue as part of the four-person teaching team for Sunday services.

Another recent change for Pantano has been the transformation from a traditional leadership model to a collaborative, team-based model. A decentralized ministry structure and an entrepreneurial approach to small groups have resulted in more than 100 groups meeting needs and creating community. In January the church also completed a six-month transitional process with its eldership team with the help of a consultant to implement a policy governance model.

Pantano”s local and international church planting efforts are also noteworthy. In February the church launched Vail Christian Church in a growing area eight miles south of its campus. Pantano seeded the church plant with 250 people. Vail Christian had 517 people its first Sunday and 420 people the following week and is already financially self-sufficient. Internationally, Pantano has partnered with outside groups and organizations to invest in grassroots church-planting movements in India, Ghana, North Africa, Peru, and Uzbekistan.

The church is continuing to clarify its church-planting vision as it considers additional church plants, multisite possibilities, and local community centers in the surrounding region. Tucson is expected to build 120,000 single-family homes in the next 10 years, along with eight to 12 new high schools. Pantano is contemplating the possibility of creating a multisite location or community center in each new high school area.

Each of these efforts reflects the church”s six-part vision for reaching its community and the world for Christ.

Pantano Christian Church, Tucson, Arizona

FAST FACTS:

Senior Pastor: Tim Coop

2005 Attendance: 2,374

Launched: 1963

Size Rank: 39

Web site: www.pantanochristian.org

To purchase a comprehensive, detailed report based on the data gathered for this megachurch issue, CLICK HERE.