Church growth

Our church is facing the blessing of being a bit crowded in our facility. This has been the case more or less in the 3.5 years since we moved here. I like the way it's been handled.

First, when we were still quite new here, a couple of church planters in the area were invited to come to our services and make appeals for people to come help plant. I was impressed at the willingness of our pastors to encourage the congregation to leave and help get new churches established.

I'm not sure how many left then, though I know of some who did. But a year or two later, the blessing (being overcrowded) was back. This time, they introduced the idea of 'venues.' That is, of holding the church service in more than one location. Another large room in the church was opened up. In it, coffee and pastries are served, a live worship band plays (more upbeat than in the sanctuary) and the sermon is piped in from the sanctuary on two large screens in the room. It was also very successful. In fact, after six months, they started doing it during two of our morning services, 10: a.m. and 11:30 a.m. (The 8:45 a.m. service, which we attend, is *not* overcrowded!)

Now, they're wanting to expand the concept of the venues, and using internet and video-streaming technology, enable venues at further distances, so we can get bigger and get smaller at the same time! For lots of reasons, I kind of like the whole idea.

More later, I hope.