TheMinistryCafe

With the new year upon us, a lot of people are still making (or have started breaking) New Year’s resolutions.  All organizations, churches included, should also be thinking ahead, planning for the next year and the future.  If your church seems to be functioning successfully, keep doing what you’ve been doing, while continually seeking the Lord’s direction.  If not, maybe it’s time to try something new – something innovative.  Outreach Magazine recently published an article about the 25 most innovative churches(see the list).  The article is interesting - each church is serving God in its own unique way.  However, innovation isn’t the only way to serve God.  Below are four paradigms for ministry that have been successful for others, and may suitable for adaption. 

1) A “No Perfect People” Policy

Gateway Community Church – Austin, TX  — Their website states: Whether you are searching for the first time or you’ve lost count, you are welcome to join us as we seek God together.  This ministry has created a come-as-you-are culture that the unchurched find inviting. 

 

2) Creating a Christ-centered Community Center

The Dream Center, Los Angeles, CA — Citing an ever-increasing poverty in many of America’s cities and cities around the world, the Los Angeles Dream Center seeks to provide for both tangible and spiritual needs.  In 1994 Pastor Matthew Barnett founded a ministry that touches upwards of 30,000 people each week, proving food, clothing, housing, education and training.  The vision is to spread the love of Christ to a hurting people.

 

3) Finding Divinity with Diversity 

Christ Church – Montclair, NJ — The following quote from their church website says it best:

“Just as an orchestra is a harmonious collection of various instruments tuned for a purpose, Christ Church is a symphonic oasis of diverse racial, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, interwined by the love of God for the purpose of establishing God’s plan in our community.” 

Since 1986, the church has grown to 5,000 members and five weekend services from their beginning of Dr. David Ireland, his wife, and six others.  As referenced by the above quote, they have a strong commitment to multicultural ministry as they seek to disciple all nations – diversity is welcomed and 25 different ethnicities are represented in their congretation.

 

4) Multi-Venue, Many Services – One God 

LifeChurch.tv – Multiple Locations — Of course, LifeChurch.tv is the standout leader of the multi-venue approach.  Their innovative use of technology has propelled them from 40 members in a two-car garage in 1996 to a ministry with campuses in multiple states reaching 18,000 members and thousands more weekly visitors.  The interesting thing is “LifeChurch never set out to be a tech-church,” says Pastor Bobby Gruenewald, “We were just passionate about reaching people, and God began to assemble a team who knew how to utilize video and audio technology.”

 

How can your church be innovative?  Start by asking questions – ones that no has thought to ask or had the courage to ask before.  Questions like ‘what is our mission?’ and ‘how can we fulfill our God-given vision?’ as well as ‘Why do we do ministry this way?’ or ‘why don’t we do ministry that way?’ may help your church serve God better in the new year.  Think strategically about what ministries can be started, expanded, combined, or retired.  Build relationships with other churches, community members and leaders.

Remember though, that innovation isn’t the key – the key is serving God.  So don’t re-invent the wheel just to be innovative.  Examine the strategies above.  Consider how and whether they should be incorporated into your ministry – 2007 could be a fruitful year for your ministry and the kingdom of God.

If you’d like to know more about these churches, visit their websites.  Alternatively, you can purchase case studies from Willow Creek.