By Chris Moon
The past year-plus has been eventful for First Church of Christ in Fairborn, Ohio—the fastest-growing “very small” church (99 or fewer weekly for worship) in Christian Standard’s 2022 Church Report.
The suburban Dayton, Ohio, church recorded an average in-person attendance of 45 people, along with 30 online, in 2022, representing 78.6 percent growth from 2021.
But Fairborn’s fast growth—which pastor Steve Sisco attributed to the church bouncing back from the COVID-19 pandemic—didn’t stop there. Sisco said the church’s attendance last year eventually reached 80 to 85 on Sundays.
But the more exciting news is that Fairborn First Church of Christ no longer exists—technically speaking.
In February, the church merged with Enon Church of Christ, located in a neighboring town. The new congregation is known as New Beginnings Christian Church.
“God has a plan. He’s not done with us yet,” Sisco told Christian Standard.
A BUILDING AND THE PEOPLE
In the simplest terms, Fairborn Church of Christ found itself growing, and Enon Church of Christ found itself shrinking.
The Enon congregation was down to 20 to 25 people in the pews each week, Sisco said. In December 2021, the church lost its pastor.
Meanwhile, in Fairborn, the church had the stability of a long-serving pastor in Sisco, who has led the church since 2012.
Sisco helped shepherd Fairborn through its own crisis of survival when he arrived there. Back then, the Fairborn church had just lost its building due to its own shrinking numbers. The elders gave Sisco a year to see if things would turn around.
Fairborn First Church of Christ grew slowly and steadily. For 10 years, the church held its services in a rented storefront.
And, so, things went like this: Enon Church of Christ had the building. Fairborn had the greater number of people. The merger was a natural fit.
“We were trying to support them the best we can,” Sisco said.
A NEW BEGINNING
The first service for New Beginnings Christian Church was held Feb. 6. A dedication service took place on May 7.
The combined church has an attendance of 90 to 105 on Sundays. New signage is being created.
The old Enon Church of Christ building was constructed in 1968. Sisco said it is a standard church building with a worship facility close to the street and an education wing in the back.
The church plans to remove the old pews in the next year so that the worship center can be used for other events, such as large dinners. But there is no rush.
“We have to take our time, and we have to be mindful of the Enon people,” Sisco said.
When Sisco looks back at the past three years—and even back to his early days at Fairborn—he is convinced God has a plan for the church, both in Fairborn and Enon.
“Had he been done with Fairborn, it would have been gone a long time ago,” Sisco said.
Now, the combined congregation can carve out its own niche.
“There’s a lot of work that needs to be done in these two cities,” Sisco said.
Chris Moon is a pastor and writer living in Redstone, Colorado.
This is the final of six “Spotlight” articles written to complement our May/June 2023 Church Report issue.
Why don’t we speak where the Bible speaks any longer?
Why are preachers calling themselves “pastor” (elder,bishop) ?
When they are to do the work of an EVANGELIST.
Praise God for two churches willing to merge in order to grow and become stronger than either of them could have been by themselves. Thank God for leadership with vision!
To respond to Larry’s comment: Steve does not call himself “pastor”. He calls himself “preacher”.
I was an Elder when we found Steve – or he found us. We had also lost our church building and were moving to a storefront in Fairborn (which another church had just vacated). Steve was anxious to be our preacher. We gave him the dubious task of turning things around in a year; or he would not be retained. We have been blessed ever since. Brother Steve is the real deal.
Bringing two congregations together has had its challenges. However Steve Sisco and the Elders have been working together to make the unification work for everyone. It is a work in progress but things are working as God wants them to. I believe that the church will grow and bring Glory to GOD.