Community Christian Church

While we’re approaching the 1-Year Anniversary of our West Campus I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. We kicked it all off October 4th of 2009. Now with just weeks until it’s birthday I thought it’s time to reflect and share.

I will say this, our West Campus is really creating some unique opportunities and we’re seeing people’s lives being changed. People have come to know Jesus for the first time in their life. People are serving on a ministry team for the first time in a consistent way. People are growing in their relationship with God and with each other!

A big part of my reflection has led me to things I think we could have done better, so I’d like to share some of those thoughts. Then I’ll share some really great stuff that is happening at Tahquitz High every Sunday.

What we’ve learned from our first multi-site:

1. I wish we would have had food outside from the beginning. We wanted to honor the theatre rule of “nothing but water” on the inside. But outside, something as simple as donuts and coffee/tea can really break the ice and fill the tummy. Now we have those things and it’s really helped people hang out and connect with others quite a bit more.

2. It would have been better to have ONE main “go to” face for the campus. We opted to have Mikel, Zach and then Jesse Marquette share some of the stage responsibilities. Now, as a volunteer, we have Jesse Marquette as the official “West Campus Pastor”. It’s much more than just leading the church family through communion and announcements. I’ve asked Jesse to really take on more responsibility there and he’s eating it up. Thanks Jesse for what you do...you da bomb!

3. Having more social gatherings for the whole group aside from the Sunday worship service would have been worth it’s weight in gold early on. In June we had a picnic after the worship service. WHAT A DIFFERENCE that made. People really connected and just simply had fun with each other.

Here’s a handful of things that are right on target:

1. We’ve got some great people who have made our West Campus their church and it shows in their effort on their ministry team. One example of a team I keep hearing good things about is headed up by Ray Lynch and Matt Zurcher. This set up team is the best! These guys are amazing at getting the band set and ready to go quickly so rehearsal can happen with plenty of time to spare. And then, they tear it all down and get it back in the trailer for next week. Thanks you two, and all of you who help these guys!!!

2. We’re “one church in more than one location”, but each location has it’s own feel. That’s OK. The West Campus is developing it’s own personality and it’s own rhythm. It really is a blessing to me each time I get to be there. Even when I pop in for the message time only, I’m encouraged.

3. The West Campus is producing it’s own leaders! We have people who came to Community through the West Campus who are now a critical part of the Children’s Ministry. Others are on the host team or helping with other teams.

We launched this campus with a heart to obey God’s leading and reach people. Each week at Tahquitz High School we have a great bunch of people who gather to honor their God and joyfully share His grace and love with everyone who comes.

We’re averaging about 120 (including kids) each Sunday. (By the way, it took Community over six years to break 100 when it began back in 1981.) We still hope and pray for God to continue to bless these efforts and draw many more people to Himself through this campus.

Thank you to all who (at both campuses) make Community such a special and unique church where God’s grace is clearly in place!