Excellent Protestant Congregations

While many individuals might seek out an assortment of spiritual practices and approaches, the local congregation still remains the place where most Christians turn for religious education, nurture, ritual, and a sense of community. Yet many congregations struggle to respond to the spiritual needs of new faces in their pews. InExcellent Protestant Congregations, respected religion journalist Paul Wilkes profiles nine dynamic, geographically and denominationally diverse congregations that have the ability to create a vibrant community of worship. The result is a book that provides real-world insights that are both inspiring and applicable in a local congregation.

Paul Wilkes is Project Director for the Parish/Congregation Study at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

Introduction

ix

Lutheran Ministries of Southwest Oklahoma

1

(20)

St. John's is the hub for Lutheran Ministries of Southwest Oklahoma. There may be only an auto parts store and a cafe on the otherwise boarded-up Main Street in Lone Wolf, but this dynamic, transforming church has a myraid of activities for every age group. Innovative work is being done across denominational lines

Seekers Church

21

(18)

Gordon Cosby and the Church of the Saviour are well known, but Seekers represents the second generation of this ministry, which is at work in a tough neighborhood in Washington, D.C. The Power of a Small number of committed, covenanted members whose small churches are each focused on a specific mission is explored

Mountain Top Community Church

39

(18)

Mountain Top is a second-generation Willow Creek-type, Seeker-sensitive church. This is a growing church where innovative Christian education, dramas, ``life issues'' preaching, and Acts 2 governance are key

All Saints Episcopal Church

57

(14)

All Saints is an old-line church that has reached out to its changing neighborhood. Black and white, poor and middle class worship together here, where great social outreach is a hallmark. When a murder happens on these mean streets, parishioners reconsecrate the ground with an on-site service. A labyrinth brings spiritual insights

Riverside Baptist Church

71

(18)

Riverside is an exciting multicultural church that addresses specific congregations, including a service for bikers! Here is niche evangelizing at its best, plus the founding of many satelite churches and innovative work to teach people how to evangelize in everyday life

First United Methodist Church

89

(18)

First United Methodist's First senior woman pastor has implemented a new style of lay-driven leadership that has given the 125-year-old church new life. Along with an outstanding music program and relevant, inspiring preaching, the church also has a strong presence in the community through its building of housing for homeless families and affordable apartments for the elderly

Chinese Christian Union Church

107

(16)

Set in Chinatown, Chinese Christian Union Church ministers to recent immigrants from mainland China and Taiwan, as well as to ABCs (American Born Chinese), with a rich array of programs and approaches. Courses in the English language, citizenship, and an excellent bookstore along with social events---attract new congregants

Full Gospel Church of God in Christ

123

(16)

Full Gospel, an African American tithing church, gives hope in a tough inner-city neighbourhood of New Orleans. Programs educate the entire person, but from a religious perspective. Community outreach and mentoring of young men is strong here

Warehouse 2+2

139

(18)

Warehouse 242 is a thriving, dynamic Gen-X church, less than a year old, but drawing growing numbers of hard-to-reach postmodern people. Its C.pak small groups attract non-Christians and encourage members to take religious beliefs into their work and personal live. The transformation of the entire city is their mission

Final Thoughts

157

(6)

Common Traits of Excellent Congregations

163

(10)

Points of Excellence Index

173

(24)

Index of Excellent Congregations

197

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Excellent Protestant Congregations

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials