Incredible Impact without Being Flashy

You would think the world's largest-attendance church in the Vineyard movement, drawing over 7,000 people weekly to its way-off-any-main-drag campus, would be represent a unique or unusual approach to ministry.

Yes and no, but mostly no. Especially no if you think innovation has to be high-tech or flashy.

Scott Thumma and I just spent five days in Columbus, Ohio, for stop #5 in our National Field Study of U.S. Megachurches (see previous blogs for stops #1, #2, #3 and #4). We did focus groups, one-on-one interviews, surveys, and ministry observations. We got as much of an insider's total-immersion experience as possible in one week, in addition to downloading sermons and studying the impressive amount of information on their website.

To our surprise, this church does nothing unusual or unique that isn't found (or couldn't be done) in other congregations, including churches of all other sizes. Yes, the teaching is outstanding, and the leaders work hard to sense and follow God's leading -- but can't other churches do that? Children's ministry is such a high priority that one of the church membership requirements for any adult is to serve as a children's ministry helper twice a year -- but can't other churches do that? Every adult is encouraged to get involved in small groups. The congregation has come to value service to the surrounding community, and every ministry makes some level of priority in doing so. In fact, the commitment is so strong that in 2006 the church opened an on-premises community center that gets used every day of the week. The church has gotten out of debt, and each year dedicates a larger percentage of its income to serving people who are not part of the church, both local outreach and missions (17% in 2002-2003 climbing to an astounding 43% for 2006-2007). The church also works really hard on good communication, both the signage and its location, as well as appealing brochures to describe the many classes and ministries offered.

                                                                                                                                                                                                         Sure, the large scale sometimes creates a "wow" factor, such as the guitar class I observed with 130 people learning to play guitar. Some were from the community, some were from the church wanting to learn how to lead worship in their small group, and some were from other churches.  Churches of other sizes could easily do the same thing on a smaller scale.

The innovation here seems to be that of a church that dreams big and stays focused at doing its priorities well, frequently asking "what kind of fruit are we producing?" and "what blockages keep us from doing well?" The Sunday I was there Pastor Rich Nathan referenced Jeremiah 29 about doing good to your city and asked aloud, "Why couldn't we dream that no one here in Columbus will ever go to bed hungry at night? By partnering with other churches and organizations, why can't it happen?" The congregation responded with applause. To them, it seemed obvious, like they were sensing: "Why shouldn't God do something like that through us and others?"

It won't surprise me if in the months and years to come, that's exactly what happens -- all to the glory of God. It also wouldn't surprise me if hundreds more people are drawn to become part of this amazing church.

Warren Bird, Ph.D., is Research Director at Leadership Network, and co-author of 19 books on various aspects of church health and innovation.