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Church Revitalization
Why the Growth?
By Michael VanBuren,
pastor at Fellowship Reformed Church, Hudsonville, Michigan
All churches go through change, but when one undergoes as many changes in as short a time frame as Fellowship Reformed Church, churches ask us “why and how?” In the last twelve years Fellowship has gone from worshipping in a 40,000 square foot sanctuary that held 450 people with one morning and one evening service, to a 92,000 square foot sanctuary that holds 1,250 worshipers with two morning services and one evening service. Over 1,000 confessing members have joined, as well as some 1,500 baptized members. Why the growth? Subjectively, this is what we; staff and consistory, believe are significant factors.
1. Devotion to the preaching of God’s Word, not as an added piece of the service but as the focal point - present at every service.
2. Congregational Care. Care groups, shepherd groups, small groups, elders, deacons, and pastors meet with people in need personally. We believe that “people will not care what you know until they know you care.”
3. Intergenerational Worship and Fellowship. God’s Word makes it clear that our older men and women are to teach, train and be examples to the young (i.e. Lev. 19:32). We take those words very seriously and as a result, we target no age group by targeting them all. We are devoted to blended worship in order for the young to learn hymns and the older to learn praise songs.
4. Volunteers. We have numerous youth programs, a large nursery, many small groups and more. How is all this possible with such a small staff? The staff exists to equip, not to do. Fellowship is the members’ church and volunteerism is key.
5. Missions. Because we have a small staff there is more money available for missions. In addition our members are not only great volunteers within the church, but also out in the community and the world. We take James seriously when he says that, “…faith without deeds is dead” (2:26). “Alive-faith” is people giving of their money, time, and talents to others.
There is excitement and joy here at Fellowship and we thank God for it daily.
For more information on Church Revitalization, please contact Rick Veenstra at rveenstra@rcagl.org or by calling (616) 698-7071 ext. 205.
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