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Portland Christian Center
The purpose of the study was to identify transferable principles and practices used by churches that have been successful in attracting and assimilating unchurched people. The following is a summary of a leadership interview, three new Christian interviews, a survey of printed materials and an on-site visit. Question #1. What principles and practices used by these churches have been most successful in attracting and evangelizing unchurched people?
Portland Christian Center has successfully offered special seasonal events as a strategy to attract the unchurched. The Easter Passion Play and the Christmas Concert are the primary reasons for unchurched people wanting to visit the Center. Those are specific outreaches geared for lost people. Portland Christian Center offers each of these events 8-10 times with up to 8,000 to 10,000 participating.. Many of those attending are first time unchurched guests. Many who come to the special events will stay and connect if they a relational connection such as a friend inviting them. The event can be considered an effective tool for relational evangelism--not evangelism in itself. A second strategy used by the church is to minister to the felt needs of both churched and unchurched people through support groups and educational classes. Support ministries include such groups as divorce or grief recovery. Wednesday Night Workshops are educational classes that are offered at both 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM. These quarterly elective classes address many topics for spiritual growth as well as life skill courses such as computer skills for beginners, enhancing people skills, changing employment successfully, writing skills, self image and life skills. A third strategy that has been successful at Portland Christian Center is to reach out to unchurched people through ministry to their children. The church offers a high quality pre-school and kindergarten to the community. This state-licensed program is called Hilltop Preschool and Kindergarten.
Question #2. How do these churches welcome and follow-up unchurched visitors and new converts? Greeters start at the parking lot. Parking can be an issue, so there are shuttle buses available. The first set of greeters actually meet people in the parking lots; they are the parking attendants. There is a visitor parking area, too. When visitors get to the door they are welcomed by another set of greeters who provide information about the events happening that day. There is also a Hospitality Center where people can get a cup of coffee and a donut or just sit down with someone to talk about the church and the various ministries. At Portland Christian Center, visitors don't need to raise their hands or otherwise identify themselves in the worship services. The only announcement is that there is a gift for visitors at the Hospitality Center.
During the following week, visitors will receive several points of contact beginning with a letter from Senior Pastor, Bill Wilson. If they supply an e-mail address they also receive an email greeting and a phone call from the telecare team on Tuesday nights. The callers give one initial phone call to visitors thanking them for coming but do not continue to call after that initial contact. During the call the telecare team seeks to identify any personal needs that can be met. A visitor information sheet is created as a result of the welcome call and given to staff as a referral sheet. Question #3. How do these churches provide an opportunity for new people to gain a sense of belonging? Portland Christian Center recognizes that people everywhere want to be loved and accepted, to feel a sense of belonging. Therefore, the church seeks to provide a place where ministry is practical, encouraging and helpful—a place with a message of hope for people. The church offers entry points of ministry for singles, families, youth, children, men and women. Sunday morning and Wednesday evening are the primary times when these connection ministries are offered. In addition, they offer entry-level classes for newcomers and new Christians such as “First Things First” and “New Members.” The church has also organized social activities such as “Dinners for Eight,” where four couples share a meal and an evening of making new friends within the church. One newcomer to Portland Christian Center commented on the support, friendship and belonging he found within the Divorce Recovery class. “I met six other people at this group that came along side of me and I came along side of them and we got through some really tough times. That camaraderie and the whole outpouring of faith got me through those tough times. We actually still get together and that was three years ago. That’s the way I got into Portland Christian.” Question #4. How do these churches see that people are discipled into fully devoted followers of Christ? Discipleship happens through Sunday morning classes, Wednesday Night Workshops and the men’s and women’s groups where people connect relationally. “First Things First” is one elective that provides foundational ingredients for successful Christian living—how to pray, how to read the Bible, how to have a quiet time with God and much more. There is no particular set of classes that are required or promoted. However, several of the Wednesday Night Workshops are spiritual development electives: “Personal Holiness In Times of Temptation,” “Steps To Build an Unshakable Faith,” and “Developing A Heart For God.” There are many places to get connected and to get some input on your spiritual life that will help you grow. Question #5. How do these churches help people take up the responsibility to serve in personal ministry? Finding a place of service is not difficult at Portland Christian Center. In addition to the weekly ministry opportunities there are the special events which require hundreds of volunteers. At Christmas time they have over 500 volunteers that participate in their concerts and over 300 volunteers help in the Easter presentations. The church offers the Networking class right on the tail end of the membership class. New members are encouraged to take Network as a logical second step whether they are new members or not. It is a six-week class that teaches about spiritual gifts, passions and personal styles of service. It is offered twice a year. When people discover their gifts, talents and passions, it encourages them to participate and get involved. Map/ Photos:
Assimilation Study - Participant Information (Fall 2000) Church Name Portland Christian Center Region SW Portland Street Address 5700 SW Dosch Road City Portland State OR Zip Code 97201 Phone 503-245-7735 FAX 503-245-2766 Web site www.portlandchristiancenter.com
1. Denomination Assemblies of God 2. Date church was founded 1924 Chartered in Assemblies of God in 1928 3. Founding Senior Pastor Pastor Walker Years in this church ? 4. Current Senior Pastor Bill Wilson Years in this church 13 5. Average Weekend Worship attendance 1,790 6. Average number of visitors each Sunday 10 7. Current Membership 521
8. Number of conversions during the past 12 months 500 9. Number of new members received during the past 12 months 44
10. Christian Education Classes
11. Small Groups/Cells
12. Large groups meeting midweek
13. Number of people with an identifiable ministry Or approximate % 20% 14. Number of core lay leaders 150 Number of paid pastoral/ministry staff 24 15. Number of churches planted by the church 0 16. Describe your congregation’s socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural distinctions:
This page was updated on September 10, 2005 . |
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