America’s Top Ten Innovative Churches
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Fri, July 15, 2005
- Viewed 56
- (14) comments so far
Here is the baseline for how the list was generated. We decided to define church innovation like this:
"Church innovation" is the introduction of new, fresh, and creative ideas and practices which are intended to be used for reaching people for Christ. The main driver for innovation is often the courage and energy to better the world through the local church. An essential element for church innovation is that its application generates results by helping people meet Jesus and become fully-devoted followers of Christ. Another measure of this is considering: Who is leading whom? In other words, what churches are becoming the benchmark for innovative ministry strategies and helping to resource other churches?
It's unscientific. It's just our opinion. But that's what Ben wanted. So here is Terry and Tony's Top 10 Innovative Churches:
10) Seacoast Church
9) Willow Creek Community Church
8) New Spring Community Church
7) National Community Church
6) Buckhead Church
5) Mosaic
4) Bay Area Fellowship
3) Journey Church
2) Daybreak
1) Life Church
00) Fellowship Church & Granger Community Church
(You didn't think we would leave our churches off the list did you?)
Here are a few more details about our Top 10 churches:
Seacoast Church (seacoastchurch.org) ? The church has nine locations throughout South Carolina. Led by Senior Pastor Greg Surratt, Seacoast Church started in 1988 in Mt. Pleasant, SC.
Willow Creek Community Church (willowcreek.org) ? The main campus is located in South Barrington, IL with three additional locations in the Chicago metro area. Willow, which started in 1975, is led by Senior Pastor Bill Hybels.
New Spring Community Church (newspring.cc) - Located in Anderson, SC, Senior Pastor Perry Noble leads this innovative church. New Spring Community Church started in 1999.
National Community Church (theaterchurch.com) ? The church launched in 1996 and now meets in two locations in Washington, DC. National's senior pastor is Mark Batterson.
Buckhead Church (buckheadchurch.org) - Located in Atlanta, GA, this is a satellite campus of North Point Community Church led by Senior Pastor Andy Stanley. Buckhead started in 2001.
Mosaic (mosaic.org) ? Mosaic meets in five different locations throughout the Los Angeles, CA area including their location in downtown L.A. at Club Mayan. Erwin McManus is the lead pastor.
Bay Area Fellowship (bayareafellowship.com) - Located in Corpus Christi, TX, Senior Pastor Bill Cornelius leads this innovative church. Bay Area Fellowship started in 1997.
Journey Church (journeychurch.cc) ? The church is led by Senior Pastor Clark Mitchell. Journey Church started in 2001, and it's located in Norman, OK.
Daybreak (daybreak.tv) - Located in Hudsonville, MI, Senior Pastor Wes Dupin leads this innovative church. Daybreak started in 1989.
Life Church (lifechurch.tv) ? The church currently has five locations in Oklahoma and soon will be opening two new sites in Phoenix, AZ. Craig Groeschel is the church's senior pastor. Life Church started in 1996 in Oklahoma City, OK.
Granger Community Church (gccwired.com) ? The church is located in Granger, IN near South Bend. Granger's senior pastor is Mark Beeson. Mark started the church in 1986.
Fellowship Church (fellowshipchurch.com) - Located throughout the heart of the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex, Ed Young leads this innovative church and its four locations. Fellowship Church started in 1990 in Irving, TX.
Any thoughts? Who would you put on (or take off) their list?
My blogging friends Tony Morgan from Granger Community Church and Terry Storch from Fellowship Church recently put their heads together to come up with what they think are the top ten innovative churches in America. It is interesting stuff…
Comments
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Art on Fri, July 15, 2005
Go God! BUT, really, who cares? If any of these hot churches want to come and help out my little, not-so-hot church, then I will think they are somthing special.
Anthony D. Coppedge on Fri, July 15, 2005
Sheesh, Art, lighten up, bro! http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif It’s more informative than it is congratulatory, as we are all looking for strong influencers and innovaters. I’m impressed with more church plants than I am mega churches, but I still think the list is worth me learning from so I can find out how they’re doing what they’re doing and replicate the things that will work best for me.
Angie on Sat, July 16, 2005
Good list, although I would disagree with the inclusion of Willow Creek. Willow of course was once the supreme innovator of seeker-driven ministry, and the WCA obviously still has global influence.
However, I believe Willow has lost its innovative edge and has become more like Microsoft (looking for market saturation rather than true innovation), or perhaps like the New York Yankees (spending the most to get the biggest names from OUTSIDE its own organization, rather than growing up strong leaders from within.) Examples: the hiring of all Willow’s latest teaching pastors from other churches, including Randy Frazee (an innovator in his own right) from Texas.
In addition, rough financial times always force organizations—and Willow is no exception—to focus more on maintaining the bottom line than on new innovations.
Don’t get me wrong, Willow still has HUGE impact; I just would no longer include it on a list of Top 10 Innovative Churches.
Thanks again for the list—great food for thought!
Todd Rhoades on Sun, July 17, 2005
Art,
All of these innovative churches were at one time little, not so hot churches.
None of these churches got where they are by themselves; or just by human efforts. I think if you contacted any of the churches on the list, they would say it’s a God-thing.
I wonder if it’s only in the church (and among pastors) that the word ‘innovation’ has such a negative overtone. Some automatically think ‘huge church’ (not necessarily); or ‘man made intuition’ (nope) or that innovation means that the church ‘doesn’t need God’ (hardly!) or that the message is thin or watered down (nope); or that the church has an attitude (non-willing to help other smaller churches). (at least 5 of the churches on this list have specific plans on how to share what they’ve learned).
But the idea that you’ll think more of one of these innovative churches if they come help your church out seems a bit odd and baseless (to me).
Todd
pmn on Sun, July 17, 2005
Todd,
I think I can help. The definition of innovative is: The introduction of something new: a new idea, method, or device.
It’s interesting that the word usage is new in the church, but introducing new methods, ideas and devices is quite old in the church. We’ve just repackaged the product, and are marketing it under a different heading.
The rub? It assumes that the gospel alone is powerless and needs man’s assistance. I’ve often wondered and maybe you can ponder this one as well. If we were to take away all of man’s “innovation” and the church service was simply; come to church and hear a sermon (let’s assume it’s a sermon without error). Can God grow churches with just the truth of his word preached? Does he want to grow his church on anything other than truth? (I don’t think he wants to share his glory)
Methods can definitely get people into church, afterall, the will is quite easy to manipulate when you find the desire that drives it, but man is powerless to change the heart. So why wouldn’t we invest the time and energy into praying that God changes, first, the heart of man in our communities, culture (whatever the new word for the day is) and lead them to His church?
If we stopped innovating and started praying, God would change not only the will but the heart of man. We would be giving him far more glory by exalting him as the powerful God that he is.
If you say to me that all these churches grew because God’s power was poured out on them as a result of prayer, then I would say great!!! So why are we praising their innovation rather than the power of God?
Todd Rhoades on Sun, July 17, 2005
pmn,
I understand what you’re saying, but I think you’re getting too hung up on the word innovation. It’s true that this is a new term in the church; but that doesn’t mean it’s evil.
Chances are, you, in whatever capacity of ministry you are in, are using something extra-biblical or innovative. Even the use of organs, pews, (and yes, Ricky… church buildings) could be considered innovative in their time. So maybe (at least for you), the term innovation isn’t a good one… I could’ve chosen better.
I don’t think that by using the word ‘innovation’ that you are taking anything away from the power of God. Again, I think if you ask any of the churches on the list, they would tell you the same thing.
Along the same line, you said:
“Can God grow churches with just the truth of his word preached? Does he want to grow his church on anything other than truth? (I don’t think he wants to share his glory)”
If you take it to an extreme (which personally I think you have), then why would God want to ‘share his glory’ with a preacher either? Why not just have the Word of God read (rather than an interpretation of it)? You see, there is ‘innovation’ present with the preacher as well… how he stands, what he wears, how he presents, the words he uses, his intonation… all is ‘man-related’ rather than ‘truth’ as you define it. Do you see my point?
I think the real rub is this… (and please let me know if I’m wrong here)… you don’t think the ‘innovative’ churches on this list are effective in the Kingdom because you question the validity of the converts they create (or as you put it, they need to have their will AND heart changed). Are you implying that these ‘innovative’ churches aren’t creating true disciples? If so, then that’s where we disagree. (And to be honest… let’s not go there… we’ve had that discussion plenty in the past weeks here at the blog).
Let’s face it… Jesus left the proclamation of the gospel to a group of MEN… and they all presented it in different ways with different styles and different ‘innovations’ if you will. Pastors still today compare their styles and methods and ministries to Paul or another Biblical role model.
When Tony and Terry put together their list, they defined what they were going after:
““Church innovation” is the introduction of new, fresh, and creative ideas and practices which are intended to be used for reaching people for Christ. The main driver for innovation is often the courage and energy to better the world through the local church. An essential element for church innovation is that its application generates results by helping people meet Jesus and become fully-devoted followers of Christ. Another measure of this is considering: Who is leading whom? In other words, what churches are becoming the benchmark for innovative ministry strategies and helping to resource other churches?”
Unless you believe they are spreading a false gospel (which I know some here think that) or unless there is a shade of jealousy, I’m really not sure how you can be against their definition.
I’ve not visited all the churches on the list… but I think “helping people meet Jesus and become fully-devoted followers of Christ” is an admirable goal. That is how these innovative churches “generate results” that they are talking about.
What is that result? A changed heart AND a changed will… the end goal… a fully-devoted follower of Jesus Christ.
That’s something I’m for… not against!
Todd
Judy on Mon, July 18, 2005
Where do you think Lakewood Church, Pastor Joel Osteen, would fit in the top 10?
pmn on Tue, July 19, 2005
I am absolutely overflowing with jealousy, but not for myself or for the church I am a member that’s not on the top ten list. Your assumption that every church/pastor desires to be on the top ten list, I perceive, is for the same reason you assume I would desire to be there. Who wouldn’t want to make the ranks of the top ten innovative churches? Unfortunately, not many, and that is what saddens me.
To those who are called to preach (it is a calling, not a profession, agreed?) God said this: “God chose what is foolishin the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and espised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, why???? -Here’s the real rub—- so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. HE is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Therefore as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” I Cor 26-31.
Innovation is an indication that man has not yet mastered death. When we boast and God is not present, but assumed, in that boasting, something doesn’t smell right.
Joshua Coffee on Mon, July 25, 2005
Angie,
I’’ve not historically been a Willow Creek fan, as I have some eccesiological issues with “seeker-driven” services. But, I do think that their recent hire of Randy Frazee, and current restructuring of how they are doing, and more importantly, being church deserves major props. To make the macro level changes that they claim they are making (I’m not there, I just know what I read about them) in a church that has been what many people concider to be one of, if not the, most succesful and influencial churches in the world takes a lot of courage.
brian O on Tue, July 26, 2005
hmmmm…interesting, but there’s a few worth exploring as possibilities: where’s Rick Warren’s Saddleback? where’s New Hope Fellowship, Honolulu? Where’s UBC, Waco, Texas? where’s Hope Chapel, Kaneohe, Hawaii (a church that has started more churches in the past 20 years than any I know?) where’s Calvary Chapel, Costa Mesa, Chuck Smith & company has and is still blazing trails in ministry & resourcing others…? Hey I’m just throwing some of these out…you missed some good ones…worth discussing anyway.
michelle on Wed, July 27, 2005
I believe that Christian Heritage Church in Tallahassee, Florida should be added. Simply amazing!
Greg on Mon, August 01, 2005
How many of the top 12 listed are megas? Any of them under a few thousand?
Brian O on Tue, August 02, 2005
what about Westwinds.org…Solomonsporch.com…ecclesiahouston.org…enewhope.net…hopechapel.com…I give all of these B grades or better…of your list only 8 would get B grades or higher in my opinion…Daybreak was the best, followed by National Community Church…after that not much difference, though some had 1 or 2 cool features I’d consider “innovative”
Big Bo on Sun, August 07, 2005
The Western Heritage movement of the “Cowboy churches” is another example of innovation. These churches (some 45-50 in Texas) wrap the Gospel in the cowboy culture to meet people where they’re @! This is just as innovative as any post-modern church!
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