Niche Churches

[CC1]

I think our church is a "niche" church. It appeals to those who either had a bad experience with traditional church or who just are not interested in it, etc.

Here are the things that I think make us niche (there are more but this is a start)

* Very casual worship. Pastor preaches in jeans & casual shirt. Barefoot or sandals in summer.
* Non traditional building. Our currently leased building and the one we are moving to in two weeks both do not look like churches. Interior is clean and nice but very simple. Seating is metal folding chairs,
* We go through entire books of the Bible in a row. Generally one chapter each Sunday. This is only broken up by "Vision" services several times a year where the pastor gives his vision for the church.
* Pastor very strongly teaches biblical truths including hard issues for many modern young people like homosexuality, pre marital sex, the occult, etc but does not do clothesline preaching. Members are discipled through small group ministries, etc but all are welcome to come to church without there being a "schedule" or pressure about how soon they should be where in their walk with God.
* Contemporary worship service appeals geneally to younger demographic

There is a lot more but I am tired and can't think straight! Suffice it to say that many of the things I listed above means that our church appeals to young people who might not normally go to church. We have also seen, over the past year or so, this demographic broaden from a lot of college aged member to young family's with 30ish parents and young children.

There is no "show" at our church. Everything is very down to earth. No hype or glitz. Our worship leaders do not cheer lead the congregation, etc.

To me it is interesting that this church combines two things you normally do not see combined. There are many small house churches or groups whose method of discipleship / preaching is to go through the bible systematically each Sunday but usually they are small and do not have a developed music program. We have 3 completely seperate praise & worship bands / singers who rotate Sunday's. When it is their t urn it is a long day as they arrive for practice at 8 am (after having first practiced the previous Wednesday or Thursday night) then do the 9am, 11 am, and 6 pm services.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Dante

I define a "niche church" as a community of believers that target a very narrow and specific group of people for the sake of evangelization.

For example: A few weeks ago I was driving through downtown and I noticed a new church that has made its presence in our community. They purchased an old chop-shop garage and have remodeled the inside suitable for a place of worship. However, they advertise themselves as a church for Bikers (motorcyclists) and call themselves "Freedom Biker Church." Obviously, they are a ministry and church specifically designed to meet the needs of Bikers who want to maintain that culture and lifestyle, but also express their Christian faith.

Another example is a church that specifically reaches out to people in a sub-culture known as "Goth" or "Punk." These are a group (mostly young people under the age of 40) who enjoy dressing in black and wearing black and white makeup, and have a very frightening appearance to most people. They refer to themselves as "The First Church of the Living Dead."

Personally, considering how institutionalized Christianity has become in America, I don't see a problem with "specialized churches." After all, we have specialized doctors who focus on certain parts of the body and who focus on treating specific ailments. I think American Christianity has been to busy trying to be all things to all people that it's failing to do that, and can't be a catch-all for everyone like it hopes to be. So, I think specialized ministries reaching out to specific groups of people is a good thing.

What are your thoughts?

If Christ is preached and glorified... if souls are saved... I'm for it.

[CC1]

Originally Posted by CC1

I think our church is a "niche" church. It appeals to those who either had a bad experience with traditional church or who just are not interested in it, etc.

Here are the things that I think make us niche (there are more but this is a start)

* Very casual worship. Pastor preaches in jeans & casual shirt. Barefoot or sandals in summer.
* Non traditional building. Our currently leased building and the one we are moving to in two weeks both do not look like churches. Interior is clean and nice but very simple. Seating is metal folding chairs,
* We go through entire books of the Bible in a row. Generally one chapter each Sunday. This is only broken up by "Vision" services several times a year where the pastor gives his vision for the church.
* Pastor very strongly teaches biblical truths including hard issues for many modern young people like homosexuality, pre marital sex, the occult, etc but does not do clothesline preaching. Members are discipled through small group ministries, etc but all are welcome to come to church without there being a "schedule" or pressure about how soon they should be where in their walk with God.
* Contemporary worship service appeals geneally to younger demographic

There is a lot more but I am tired and can't think straight! Suffice it to say that many of the things I listed above means that our church appeals to young people who might not normally go to church. We have also seen, over the past year or so, this demographic broaden from a lot of college aged member to young family's with 30ish parents and young children.

There is no "show" at our church. Everything is very down to earth. No hype or glitz. Our worship leaders do not cheer lead the congregation, etc.

To me it is interesting that this church combines two things you normally do not see combined. There are many small house churches or groups whose method of discipleship / preaching is to go through the bible systematically each Sunday but usually they are small and do not have a developed music program. We have 3 completely seperate praise & worship bands / singers who rotate Sunday's. When it is their t urn it is a long day as they arrive for practice at 8 am (after having first practiced the previous Wednesday or Thursday night) then do the 9am, 11 am, and 6 pm services.

I would also add to my post I am quoting here that I believe there is room for both "niche" churches and more conventional ones.

Conventional churches appeal to older folks and those who are more tradition minded. They find comfort in traditional "church" associations like steeples, pews, pulpits, etc. I don't mean this in a condescending way or that it is bad. I put myself in this catagory to a degree in the sense that I have no problem with traditional church buildings and services but I am not hard core about it.

The danger I see in niche churches is that if they don't watch it they become pious in how they do church and demean they way others do. Rather ironic I think.

Kind of like some Christians I know who take pride in their humbleness! LOL

[Dante]

Originally Posted by Aquila

If Christ is preached and glorified... if souls are saved... I'm for it.

That's the attitude I share as well.

[Dante]

Originally Posted by CC1

The danger I see in niche churches is that if they don't watch it they become pious in how they do church and demean they way others do. Rather ironic I think.

Kind of like some Christians I know who take pride in their humbleness! LOL

I've thought of that same danger as well.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Dante

I define a "niche church" as a community of believers that target a very narrow and specific group of people for the sake of evangelization.

For example: A few weeks ago I was driving through downtown and I noticed a new church that has made its presence in our community. They purchased an old chop-shop garage and have remodeled the inside suitable for a place of worship. However, they advertise themselves as a church for Bikers (motorcyclists) and call themselves "Freedom Biker Church." Obviously, they are a ministry and church specifically designed to meet the needs of Bikers who want to maintain that culture and lifestyle, but also express their Christian faith.

Another example is a church that specifically reaches out to people in a sub-culture known as "Goth" or "Punk." These are a group (mostly young people under the age of 40) who enjoy dressing in black and wearing black and white makeup, and have a very frightening appearance to most people. They refer to themselves as "The First Church of the Living Dead."

Personally, considering how institutionalized Christianity has become in America, I don't see a problem with "specialized churches." After all, we have specialized doctors who focus on certain parts of the body and who focus on treating specific ailments. I think American Christianity has been to busy trying to be all things to all people that it's failing to do that, and can't be a catch-all for everyone like it hopes to be. So, I think specialized ministries reaching out to specific groups of people is a good thing.

What are your thoughts?

Comparing the church to a docter specializing in one area is a fallacy. They are categorically not the same.

Its also a fallacy to argue "if they do it so can we"

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Dante

That's a great idea, because the people in these groups have been marginalized by mainstream congregations. If there's a market for these types of people, someone should try to generate a specialized church for these groups.

Great idea, brother!

Really? How? How do mainstream churches marginalize midgets and clowns and the disabled?

[CC1]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Really? How? How do mainstream churches marginalize midgets and clowns and the disabled?

Reminds me of the story Larry the Cable Guy tells about carrying something in his arms in Walmart that blocked his view. He ran into something and when he finally saw what it was he realized he had run into a midget.

With genuine concern in his voice he asked the guy "Are you ok?, How are ya feeling?". To which the midget replied "Well I'm not happy!". To which Larry replied "Well then which one are you"?

[Praxeas]

lol

[RandyWayne]

Wouldn't it be GREAT if there was an apostolic church that catered to magicians? Any traveling evangelists would be hard pressed to get a fake healing past THAT crowd. LOL