Perhaps a congregation has discovered a neighborhood or nearby community with no evangelical or other church presence. Or maybe the church has found a demographic that isn’t being reached with the gospel. Church leaders believe God is leading their congregation…
Multisite ministry by any other name
LEWISVILLE, Texas — Before a church launches a multisite ministry, it must select and secure a site, assemble a leadership team, raise funds and work through logistical details. But Northview Baptist Church in Lewisville, Texas, has discovered the most difficult…
Hybrid multisite model uses multiple approaches
HUNTSVILLE, Texas — Covenant Fellowship in Huntsville, Texas, functions as a hybrid multicampus church as a means to give birth to autonomous congregations across the state and the nation. While he was pastor of First Baptist Church in Huntsville, David…
Multisite multiplication
The term “multisite” or “multicampus” church might first bring megachurches to mind. But as it has developed, the church-growth model has taken on many forms to serve a variety of purposes and ministry contexts. Ministry Some churches use the multicampus…
Multisite fans view approach as good stewardship
Proponents of the multicampus church option cite flexibility, stewardship and the “spark” that newness can bring to ministry. “You get the big-church bang … but you also get the pop and sizzle of a new church,” said Rodney Harrison, vice…
Texas congregation takes church to Air Force base
WICHITA FALLS, Texas — When Pastor Bob McCartney arrived at First Baptist Church in Wichita Falls, he wanted to lead the congregation to minister better to two distinct populations — students at Midwestern State University and the airmen and their…
Progress on race relations is slow but steady, say two longtime observers
ATLANTA (ABP) — Two men who have been in the fray a long time believe race relations have improved in the U.S. 150 years after the start of the Civil War — at least enough to justify encouragement. Carroll Baltimore,…
Virginia’s oldest convention of black Baptist churches holds annual session
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Virginia Baptist State Convention — the oldest organization of African-American Baptist churches in the state — will focus on effective preaching during its annual meeting May 9-12 in Williamsburg, Va. “As society evolves and information dissemination…
Minister moms split their time between pulpit and potty training
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Every now and then, Amy Butler will find herself having to do a little simultaneous parenting and preaching from her pulpit at Calvary Baptist Church in downtown Washington. “My daughter, in particular, knows the look,” said Butler,…