As promised, I have an announcement: Last night was the last and final service for Phoenix Church of Austin.
Phoenix Church was a great dream... A church that welcomes everyone, a church that loves all, serves all, for all - targeted for Austin's 25-35 demographic - biblically sound but edgy and relevant - designed for people that have no interest in church and consider themselves far off from God.
What I find really amazing is that we actually did hit that target. We saw a great many young, spiritually curious people coming through our doors - unfortunately - we couldn't get enough of them to stick.
Phoenix Church was a dream born in the hearts of Crestview Baptist Church. We started Phoenix attempting to do a "church within a church" model. We also started Phoenix with a pretty high "attractional" model. Our hope was that we could amass enough new Phoenix folks that eventually the Crestview core would be eclipsed. ...that just never happened.
There are many factors that I would do different were I to do it all over again... Many of you are interested in that from a learning tool or perspective and I am planning a series so stay tuned to the blog. I just need a little separation and reflection first though... By the way - Even though Phoenix Church is closing, she was NOT a failure. We saw three adults come to know Christ and begin discipleship!
So what's next? Well...
I am still the Pastor of Crestview Baptist Church. Crestview was Phoenix's (and my personal) biggest supporter. Crestview is a great church. The Phoenix core were really Crestview folks - so I am actually pretty excited about turning our full attention back to Crestview. Perhaps with a focused core of younger folks we can begin to connect with our community as we need to and begin to see lives changed as we share the gospel and our lives.
I fully believe that God has great things ahead for us...
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