Each New Beginnings success story is the result of a congregation’s unique journey in search of an answer to the question, “What is God calling our congregation to do and be in this time and this place?” The answers are as diverse as the journeys:
Starting Over: A congregation averaged just 30 people in worship every other Sunday. After developing a compelling new vision for ministry, the congregation decided to close and commit to a plan of restarting the church. Historical documents were removed from the church; officers agreed to resign; the church was closed and reopened a month later with a new name. The congregation now worships with more than 300 in services each Sunday. Click here for another congregation’s success story.
Finding a New Home: A congregation with a building four times larger than it needed sold their building and relocated with a new full-time pastor. This right-sized congregation is growing again with a passion for ministry in its community, no longer saddled with large building expenses. Click here for another congregation’s success story.
Welcoming New Neighbors: A congregation was located in a community whose racial/ethnic demographics had changed radically. The congregation restarted as a church appropriate for the dominant culture, and moved from an average worship attendance of 11 to more than 5,000 each Sunday. Click here for another congregation’s success story.
Getting Back to Basics: A congregation with capable people and sufficient resources was able to reconsider what God called it to do. After intentional reflection, and the development of a strong vision for the future, it moved from a church that focused primarily on itself to one focused on serving its community. Click here for another congregation’s success story.
