Next steps...

So- I've wanted to talk about this idea/next step with evergreen for awhile. This isn't exactly the way I wanted to do it (this is a modified post I put on our forum) but it will do for now...

From the beginning of Evergreen our desire has been to both grow larger by constantly introducing and re-introducing people to Jesus AND remain true to some of the values of small community that have been so important to our community these last couple of years.

The only way we've been able to come up with for doing this is to plant churches.
We've been praying as a community about taking some steps in that direction- basically, some ways to get large enough to have the people and resources for church planting and yet still keep those aforementioned values in place.

Earlier last year a picture started to take shape in my mind as to how we can continue to grow, become more "localized" to various parts of the city, have both the people and resources to serve Portland more strategically and effectively and eventually to plant free-standing, independent communities like evergreen around the Portland Metro area.

The idea was this: when we reached a consistent 120 adults on Sunday morning (we're about 140 adults now, though it never happens that everyone shows up at the same time to anything), move towards being one church in two locations by inviting 30 or so of them to commit to starting an Evergreen SE gathering that would be somewhat more focused on the SE section of the city and meeting at the SE Lucky Lab (which was where we met before outgrowing it and moving to the NW Lab).

At this point and for the forseeable future this would still be a part of Evergreen as a whole- we'd share the same elders (with a number of them being a part of the SE gathering from the start), the same website, homegroups, theology pubs structure, etc...
But as it grew, depending on the gifts/talents/passions of those who take part it would probably take on some of its own flavor, while retaining a commitment to the core values of the community as a whole.

I think at this point the elders would continue to share the pastoral load and we'd ask Dustin to be the primary teacher there along with support from the other elders...

This idea isn't novel, certainly. A number of other church communities are doing this (becoming one church community in a number of locations, without the whole Video Venue thing), which tells me I'm not crazy to be thinking this way. I think it's also a way to capture a good number of our values- remaining small yet seeing continual growth- valuing dialog by structuring Sundays to remain small enough so this can happen, utilizing more people's gifts and talents, becoming more focused on the different parts of the city...

After our community forum/discussion/prayer time a few weeks ago, we've continued to pray about the possibility and it seems like it may be able to happen in May.

We're still challenging Evergreen to keep praying about this though...
1. About whether this is really where God is leading us
2. That this process can be used to help us refocus on our values and mission here in PDX. If all we do is start another worship gathering, well... that's cool, but...
3. That everyone will realize the absolutely vital need for them to be involved in some way in what we're here to do (whether that's leading us out into the community by serving those in need in some way, or by helping out with the kids, or by being welcoming on Sundays and taking a special interest in newer folks, or even having a homegroup that serves as a front door for friends and neighbors to explore relationship with Jesus...)

Comments

[matt]

And the best part Bob, drumroll please......

You can video cast your messages to both locations!!!

You can thank me for this little piece of wisdom later.

[Aaron Smith]

BTW: point three gave me a kick in the arse.

[matt]

In all seriousness (gasp, me serious!) these are my favorite posts of yours Bob. They are a unique, honest look into a sincere church planter. I am constantly learning from you and thank God for the community he is building through Evergreen.

[dave wainscott]

Will be praying..

this is just about the exact same thing I am looking forward to/not looking foward to..mixed emotions. You are a bit further along than us. I love the way you all are processing this prayerfully and carefully

[Mark]

Hey Friend its wonderful to see and hear that the dreams of this next chapter in Evergreen's life are growing legs! I am praying for ya'll.

(PS. Somewhere John Wesley is smiling ;-)

[Geoff Surratt]

This is very cool Bob. One church in multiple locations is a very powerful concept on the scale you are describing. You don't have to wrestle with big buildings, big staffs and big budgets and can connect within the context of the neighborhoods you are in. At the same time you get the synergy of shared resources and leadership until the new site is at a place it can stand on its own. And as long as you can reproduce communicators who share the same vision and context of the evergreen dna you can avoid the evil video venue concept.

If we (Seacoast Church) can ever be a resource please don't hesitate to ask. We started our first offsite location in 2002 and have made more than our share of mistakes along the way. We might be able to save you some heartburn in this process. At the very least we can point you toward some churches who haven't taken the video pill and are doing very well with multiple locations.

Again, congratulations. This is the beginning of very exciting new chapter for evergreen.

[carl]

Just wanted to let you know that this post really provoked me.

[Pistol Pete]

You will be in my prayers. I know of one church here on Long Island - Shelter Rock Church (you can google them) - that has gone to a two campus approach and been fairly successful with it. They do some very creative staffing and leadership sharing. You might want to check them out.

[Bob Hyatt]

Thanks Geoff and everyone else (nice Video Venue mention there too, Geoff!)... I really am planning on blogging more on this... soon.

:)