Articles for tag: Community Christian

December 21, 2012

By Jennifer Johnson Earlier this year, as part of a project with Kairos Legacy Partners, I researched stories of dying churches that merged with another congregation or recycled their resources and energy into a new church. Many, like Central Christian Church in Tampa, FL, were once-thriving churches that had declined due to aging members and changing neighborhoods. Others, like Capital City Christian Church in Raleigh, NC, knew major change was needed to reach a young, growing community. In each case, the story was worth telling because the church wanted to be part of something bigger than slowly dwindling while hanging

August 30, 2009

Christian Standard

Church & Ministry Church Growth

The Multisite Phenomenom: Here to Stay?

Â by Darrel Rowland Terms to Know Multisite“”Commonly described as “one church meeting in several locations,” a concept often attributed to church growth guru Elmer Towns from the late 1980s. Typically each remote site has its own live services except for the sermon, which is shown on large video screens. The message usually is recorded in advance, although some use simulcasts. Each location usually has its own “campus minister” or “campus pastor,” but all are governed by the home church leadership. Multivenue“”A different style, setup, and/or music from a church”s main service. These can be held at remote locations or

April 13, 2008

Christian Standard

Church Life

And They Met Every Day (Almost)

By Kent Fillinger Somewhere in America, a worship gathering in one of the megachurches and emerging megachurches can currently be found on every day of the week except Thursday. Worship services are no longer reserved for Sunday, although every church listed still offers at least one Sunday worship experience. In an attempt to see “the Lord add to their number daily those who are being saved,” the megachurches and emerging megachurches have explored offering services on alternative and multiple days of the week, and by using a variety of worship styles and venues to reach the lost in their communities.

April 13, 2008

Christian Standard

Church & Ministry Church Growth

Multisite Momentum

By Kent Fillinger The second coming of the megachurch appears to be the multisite movement””or perhaps the next generation of multisite ministry arrived before you were even introduced to the original version. Dave Ferguson, lead pastor of Community Christian (Naperville, Illinois), is an often quoted and passionate proponent of multisite ministry. He introduced a new concept””the “polysite church”””in an article in the February 24 Christian Standard. He described the polysite church as the next wave in church reproduction. A recent article in Rev! magazine titled “Mega, Schmega” (March/April 2008) described multisite ministry as the answer for the future church. Some

April 13, 2008

Christian Standard

Church & Ministry Church Growth

“And the Award Goes to . . . “

By Kent Fillinger and Ben Simms The CEO Award (The church with the greatest percentage attendance increase for Christmas and Easter combined) Emerging Megachurch: Mountainview Community Christian (Highlands Ranch, CO): 124% increase over average attendance Megachurch: Crossroads Christian (Evansville, IN): 104% increase over average attendance The Energizer Bunny Award (The senior minister who has served in his current position the longest) Emerging Megachurch: John Russell (37 years/started 1970)””Lakeside Christian (Lakeside Prairie, KY) Megachurch: L.D. Campbell (35 years/started 1972)””First Church of Christ (Burlington, KY) The “Play It Again Sam” Award (The church with the most weekly worship services) Emerging Megachurch: Tomoka