Archive for February, 2010

South Decline

Posted: February 22, 2010 in Church Growth
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THE SOUTH IS CHANGING. Through urbanization and the vibrant growth of southern cites and towns, the South is becoming a center for innovative, intellectual and cultural growth. Yet, for the first time in its history, the church in the South is declining faster than anywhere in the country. Advance the Church believes this decline and the exodus away from the faith is due to internal failures rooted in gospel illiteracy and weak gospel contextualization–not due to societal or cultural change. As we stand at this critical turning point, we must be prepared to respond. This conference is committed to equipping pastors, lay leaders, and members to respond by engaging the changing culture of the South with the unchanging message of the gospel.  -Advance the Church

The above came from the promotional of a new church conference…….pretty interesting!  You wouldn’t think such in the Bible belt, but it is true and more reason we need to plant healthy new churches and fund them heavily!

Big News!

Posted: February 14, 2010 in Church Planting
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Origin Church is RELOCATING to the HAMILTON MALL YMCA. This will happen sometime in April and until then, we will continue to meet at the Ringgold Depot. We will keep you posted every step of the way.

The “vision” continues to be enlarged and we are excited to influence more lives for the Kingdom of God! It has been an amazing journey as we have seen God use Origin to reach people who are hurting, disconnected, and dis-interested in church. We have seen God bring people who are struggling with addictions, struggling with their marriages, and people who have not been in church in years. We have seen God radically save people from their sins.

With that said we are seeing God open up doors for Origin to reach more people in a greater populated growing area of Chattanooga. We must continue to be sensitive to God’s leading every step of the way.

Here are some cool talking points about the move:

  • This is a phenomenal Y facility from start to finish.
  • The relocation gives us all the space that we need to grow our family ministry (0-18) which is one of our core values; indoor double-decker playground for the kids and an amazing built-in nursery. We have been out of space since we launched Origin.
  • There are approximately 3500 family units (3.2 in a family) which means we have an instant 10,000 people to influence at this particular YMCA.
  • 300,000 unchurched people are within driving distance of the Y.
  • This new location gives us the best opportunity to sustain the church for the future.
  • Chattanooga is listed in USA today as the one of the top places to retire and one of the top places to live. Every day Chattanooga sees new families moving to Chattanooga for a better overall quality of life. Origin Church can be a major part of influencing this growth for Jesus Christ.
  • With the addition of Volkswagen coming to East Chattanooga, and the potential of 15,000 new jobs, strategists are predicting that Chattanooga, over the next 10 years, will become the next Charlotte, North Carolina.
  • If you have already been driving to Origin Church, from exit 348 (Ringgold exit) to the Shallowford Rd. exit at the mall, is ONLY 10 minutes more for your drive.

Here’s the question: What would you do and how far would you go, to be a part of something bigger than yourself? Remember, church should be attended out of conviction, and never convenience! We’ve got a lot of work to do to design an incredible experience for people to enjoy from the moment they arrive……….come use your gifts and talents and help us do this!


Ben Arment Does It Again

Posted: February 10, 2010 in Attitude
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I know this first-hand!  So well said.  Enjoy!