CLC doesn’t do dramas at Easter or Christmas because other churches already provide productions at those times.  Instead they write major shows based on best-selling books and offer them at between major religious holidays.  “We are trying to develop a Christian Theater ministry that impacts our culture with relevant drama,” states Rienas.  The most recent drama production, “Left Behind,” drew over 12,500 people and included actors from churches all over the Portland area.  “We feel we are doing ‘Kingdom work,’ we are not just trying to just build our church.”  CLC mobilizes their own members to invite friends to these productions and hopes to see Christians from other churches bring unsaved friends to these shows then disciple them back in their own churches.

Question #2.  How do these churches welcome and follow-up unchurched visitors and new converts?

Pastor Rienas suggests that 20% of those who visit a church visit again, another 20% will never return no matter what follow-up is done.  However, 60% of guests need nurture and follow-up if they are to return.  The welcome and follow-up of guests at Christian Life Center is called “Care Ministry”. 

There are four teams of greeters in the “Care Ministry,” one team for each Sunday of the month.  On their assigned Sunday, a team begins greeting members and guests thirty minutes before each worship service.  The same team will spend the next four weeks following-up on the guests who came that Sunday.

During the first week, the Care Ministry tries to provide 5 touch points.  On Monday guests receive a plate of freshly baked cookies delivered to their door to express appreciation for attending Christian Life Center.  On Tuesday a Care Ministry team leader will make a phone call to each guest.  A letter from Senior Pastor arrives on Wednesday and is followed up by a phone call from Senior Associate Pastor Greg Hickman on Friday.  Finally, a Care Ministry team member will provide another personal phone call on Saturday.

Care Ministry team members continue to make weekly contacts during the next three weeks of the one-month follow-up plan.  During week two Care Ministry team members call the guests and send them a postcard.  During the third week they invite guests to an event that fits their needs or interests.  In the fourth week, the Care Ministry team members again call or make a personal visit. 

After the one month follow-up plan Care Ministry team members are urged to continue to establish a personal relationship with guest by making phone calls, inviting them to events, sending cards, and spending personal time with them.  Hickman explains, “For many people it takes them several months to make a decision on a church.  Most people don’t make it the first, second, third or fourth visit.  Often it is taking people three or four months to make that commitment.  So, we have trained our care ministers to be patient, call them up two or three months later.  We try to take a balance between not doing anything and being very aggressive by constantly having touch points but at the same time coming across very gentle.  We are really here to help them and we try to get that across in as many ways we can.”

Question #3.  How do these churches provide an opportunity for new people to gain a sense of belonging?

In addition to the Care Ministry there are two primary strategies for connecting new people.  First, Christian Life Center places a high priority on small groups that meet in various neighbors in Aloha, Tigard and Beaverton.  These groups are call H.O.M.E. Groups, which stands for Homes Open for Ministry and Encouragement.  Groups meet two to four times each month with trained small group leaders directing a time of casual sharing, prayer, refreshments and a lesson from God’s Word.

The Christian Life Center also provides a series of classes to help newcomers connect with the church in members and ministry.  Introduction to CLC explains the history, vision, and beliefs of the church.  CLC 2 covers fundamental doctrines and the importance of unity in church life.  “Christ calls His Church to be a HOSPITAL, a FAMILY and an ARMY” (CLC 2 page 4).  Finally, there is a seven-week Ministry Identity Class (CLC 3) to help people discovery their spiritual gifts and best fit for ministry.  Of those who have completed this six-month to one-year process, 80% have remained connected with the church.

Question #4.  How do these churches see that people are discipled into fully devoted followers of Christ?

Christian Life Center offers men’s and women’s discipleship groups in addition to their H.O.M.E. Groups and elective classes offered on weeknights.  Half a dozen people are also participating in a special one year discipleship track called MIT (Ministers In Training).

Question #5.  How do these churches help people take up the responsibility to serve in personal ministry?

As soon as a person has attended at least Intro to CLC he or she can begin serving in an entry-level ministry.  However, when the ministry position involves providing leadership, the training process is a long one.

Every ministry does their own training according to their needs but Pastor Rienas explains why he prefers the intensive seminar format: “What we have found is that the protracted longevity of training, week in and week out, has not worked well in our society, in our culture.  What we try to do is try to condense it, make it very brief and succinct, hit some points very hard and be done with it.  And people appreciate that a lot more because of the time commitment that people have.  But in order to serve in that capacity you have to go to that training.  It’s mandatory, you are required to attend because we want the people to experience quality and dynamic leadership in those areas.”

Map/ Photos: 

Assimilation Study - Participant Information (Fall 2000) 

Church Name       Christian Life Center               Region       Westside Portland       

Street Address             5585 SW 209^th Ave.                                                                 

City                  Aloha                                 State    OR      Zip Code         97007          

Phone               503-649-4444                 FAX               503-649-6597                       

Web site           www.clcaloha.org                

2.   Date church was founded         1939                        

3.   Founding Senior Pastor           started by laity         Years in this church     N/A   

4.   Current Senior Pastor              Warner Rienas        Years in this church       7      

5.   Average Weekend Worship attendance                  766                  

6.   Average number of visitors each Sunday                   14                 

7.   Current Membership           341