Intriguing article in today's NYTimes on Rev. Timothy J. Keller of Redeemer Presbyterian. Currently, his church is 4,400 strong, meeting each Sunday in 4 services stretched across 3 sites.
Many folks have not heard of Dr. Keller, on purpose. But in New York City, he is the one being modeled for planting churches:
In New York City, Redeemer has become the central training ground for anyone planning to start a church in the metropolitan area, whether among Guyanese immigrants in Queens or streetwise youths in the Bronx.
Since 2000, when it established its own training center for "church planters," as they are called in evangelical parlance, Redeemer has helped start more than 50 churches in the city, from faith traditions and denominations as diverse as Assemblies of God, Lutheran and Southern Baptist. In addition, it has helped found 17 "daughter churches" of its own Presbyterian denomination in communities like Williamsburg and Park Slope, Brooklyn; Astoria, Queens; and Hoboken, N.J.
I appreciate the angle he takes in spreading the gospel...one of meeting people where they are at: "Unlike most suburban megachurches, much of Redeemer is remarkably
traditional — there is no loud rock band or flashy video. What is not
traditional is Dr. Keller's skill in speaking the language of his
urbane audience".
In a day where churches try to follow what works somewhere else, it's good to see folks like Dr. Keller meeting people right where they live.
-Colonel Steve
Recent Comments