As I mentioned in Podcast #40, I’m going to do a featured congregation with every podcast. In light of all my wanderings, I have found that there are some congregations out there that are deliberate about being engaged with our emerging culture without it going to their heads.
In the whole postmodern/emergent church movement, some leaders over time tend to gravitate toward the cool factor rather than the real ministry. The congregations I’m going to point you to are ones that I find to be real about welcoming everyone, who do what they do because of Jesus, not for the tech, success, or popularity.
So my first featured congregation is Artisan Church of Rochester, NY. As I mention, I have followed this congregation for several years now, back to to when the pastors had separate congregations. I get their email and follow what has been happening. Do they have a cool factor? To a geek like me, I suppose. But they use today’s tech for what it is for most of us – the language of the people around them to speak what they believe to be true about Jesus.
Another thing I like about Artisan is that they are part of an actual denomination, rather than an independent church. This is not to put down independent, non-denominational folks, but its a sign of hope for me that there are some denominations willing to support new approaches to being “church” rather than trying to plant “McChurches” on every corner with a denominational label.
If you are in the Rochester area, check out Artisan Church, their new building, but the amazing ministry they have going on up there. If I lived up that way, I would be checking them out.
Here’s their brief history, lifted off their web page.
A Brief History of Artisan Church
From Two Church Planting Teams to One Vibrant Community!
Artisan Church of Rochester, New York, had its start in the wonderful church planting teams formerly know as Capax Dei Church and Quest Church. These two groups were well on their way to fully launching when God brought an even more ambitious plan into focus…
Strong leadership and clear vision were moving both projects forward, but neither felt quite “complete.†Each group had something unique to offer, not only with gifts and talents, but also in the core communities.
Capax Dei was already gaining traction with the under-35 crowd, while Quest showed strength with 35 on up. Yet the mission and vision were strikingly similar, almost identical: a strong calling to be a church for Great Rochester, yet centered in the City South East; a fresh approach to expressing the Christian faith for a postmodern world while staying true to the Gospel; valuing art and creativity; seeking justice; sharing new life in the Way of Jesus… and the list goes on.
So, in February 2005, the two teams came together, and Artisan Church was born. Over the summer we continued to flesh out the “launch team†and ministry areas as we headed toward our “Fall Grand Opening.â€
By God’s grace, in October 2005 we successfully launched, and have continued to experience wonderful growth, both in the depth of lives changed, and in the breadth of many new people finding a place of welcome.
With this growth comes wonderful opportunities, real challenges, and even greater responsibility to truly make a difference in people’s lives, our city, and the world. We’re humbled by what God is doing in and through his people at Artisan.
So now you join the story already in progress. We’d love to have you come explore and be part of the adventure!
What’s in a name?
The name “Artisan Church†beautifully expresses our desire to creatively live out the mission God has given us to “encounter God, embrace people, and engage culture, in the way of Jesus.†The imagery is inspired directly by the scripture, which says:
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.â€
— The Apostle Paul (Ephesians 2:10)
God is the “master artisan,†creating everything — including us — to be part of his redemptive design. We are simply called to be faithful apprentices of Jesus, to do the “good work†of sharing his blessings with our friends, family, neighbors, community, and world. You’re welcome to the journey!