I Like This Church Model!

[Bruce Gourley]

I like this church model - in Raleigh, NC, .

[David Flick]

[Ed Pettibone]

[Bruce Gourley]

I do not think any one church model is suitable for all situations, but agree with Ed that a coffee house model can work in rural communities (maybe not in a farmhouse or ranchhouse, but certainly in quite small, rural towns) and with David that it would not work among Native Americans.

[Mark]

[Dave Roberts]

One of the fascinating things about church life today is that we are developing a great deal more variety. At one time, the cookie cutter mentality had fallen on most churches, and the creation of a new church was simply exporting the culture of the mother church. I like the idea that churches can grow without having to be alike.

[David Flick]

[Mrs Haruo]

I can certainly see this working in Seattle! I know of several families who want to spend their weekend time TOGETHER, because both parents work during the week, and kids are in daycare, many young families nowdays ( at least in our area) are composed of young parents who never went to church growing up, and are feeling a need for what they missed, and are on the same level as the kids as far as Bible knowledge. A format where the whole family learns together in a relaxed setting sounds pretty appealing to me. We have a midweek Bible Study on Wed afternoons and evening, and have several folks who attend who never show up on Sunday because they work weekends, or live outside of town and drop by on the way home from work one day a week. " Thinking outside the box" is something more churches need to try. That's my story and I am sticking to it.

[Cathy]

Sounds interesting to me as well, Bruce. Particularly since my kids are 12 or older.

I think Flathead county has lots more Baptists than your area. I know there are at least three SBC churches of a fair size. There are lots of independent Baptist churches as well.

First Baptist Kalispell is tiny and is short of young people so my 12 year old will probably find it a hard fit for her. On the other hand she seems willing to give it a try. The location is good for me when visiting my husband. It is close to the hospital so will be an important point in choosing a house. I know Texas Baptists that go to FBC Big Fork a GARBC church! I presently am leaning toward a house between Whitefish and Kalispell. However FBC Whitefish seems to be an independent church.

A lutheran and episcopal church look like possibilities as well.

I thought I would join FBC Missoula (ABC) when we looked into moving there. The pastor is a Campbell and Carson-Newman grad.

[Bruce Gourley]

[David Flick]

[Ed Pettibone]

[Bruce Gourley]

[Cathy]

Ed: Kalispell FBC is definitely ABC. The pastor graduated from Golden Gate but I think has worked entirely with ABC. He was in Japan with ABC for 20 years. I think you haven't heard of the church because it is tiny. I think most baptists in Kalispell are SBC, independent, or other.

[Ed Pettibone]