The Summit Church - located in Lee’s Summit, Missouri has begun construction of their second phase building addition that includes church offices, meeting rooms, and a chapel with the design-build team of Overland Park, Kansas based contractor A.L. Huber Construction and Kansas City, Missouri based architect Mantel Teter. The project is expected to take approximately one year to build.
During the COVID-19 crisis, the team at Intentional Churches gathers weekly to discuss the latest From the Front Lines of Ministry. We are using ChurchOS to stay clear and focused. See how other church leaders around the country are using ChurchOS as they navigate the new normal.
Mountain Lake Church - located in Cumming, Georgia, recently selected Kansas City, Missouri based architect Mantel Teter to lead them through a metrics analysis, discovery and design process to update their campus master plan at their Dawsonville campus. The church will be renovating existing space for worship, connection, children, and other support areas. "We’re excited to see the growth happening at this new campus location and to be serving this church once again; helping them repurpose great existing space that will create a relevant custom tool for their ministry!" commented David Evans, the Principal for the project.
A message from Intentional Churches:
We are living in unprecedented times as church leaders. Now more than ever, we need to be clear and confident about our decisions and strategies for eternal kingdom impact.
Jesus’ mission to make more and better disciples remains (Matthew 28:19-20), but now we are a church distributed and increasingly isolated. God’s strategy to grow the church remains the same but how do we innovate in a rapidly changing environment?
We are going to gather leaders on the front lines of ministry to discuss real-time strategies day by day, and week by week. These leaders are using ChurchOS tools and principles like the Great Commission Engine and the Six Domains of Church to stay clear and focused under the duress of COVID-19.
Here are the leaders we’ve convened who are using ChurchOS in this pivotal season of ministry. They will be sharing their real-time strategies as this crisis unfolds.
Jill Gille - Eastside Christian Church - Anaheim, CA, Lee Coate - The Crossing, A Christian Church - Las Vegas, NV, Mark Brewer - Oaks Church - Red Oak, TX, Matt Wright - Willow Creek Community Church - Chicago, IL, Matthew Robinson - First Baptist - Orlando, FL, Ron Sylvia - Church @ The Springs - Ocala, FL, Doug Cowburn - Elim Gospel Church - Rochester, NY, Sy Huffer - College Heights Christian Church- Joplin, MO
Please watch our first conversation below…
Stay tuned, and tune in often. Let us know how we can be helpful during this season. We will be featuring these video conversations on our website soon, for free, along with resources we find useful for ChurchOS churches.
We are praying for you.
Bart, Doug, and the Intentional Churches Team
By Rusty Lewis , Generis
For this weekend's services, be sure you get the offering moment right!
This past weekend we saw many of you working tirelessly to move your services online. We know that it's not an easy shift, especially if your church does not regularly meet virtually. Thank you for the work you have done to ensure your community was able to worship together. We are so proud of the church.
Although some of you adjusted with ease, a weakness we saw among almost all services was the offering moment. The rhythm of this season is a different one and we don't know how long this season will last, so this is the time to make adjustments.
Watch this video of Jim Sheppard sharing his insights and advice on how to ensure you do not fumble this crucial moment during your sunday service.
Valued Clients, Partners, and Friends,
During this season of uncertainty and everyday changes, our entire team at Mantel Teter is carefully monitoring all factors which impact your ability to keep your church’s facility projects moving forward. There is no single response that best fits, since we serve a variety of church clients.
Let us remind you though, we want to serve our clients and potential clients with the highest respect and care for your needs. We will honor your precautions in this rather unprecedented time. The “new norm” is helping many of us realize that much can be accomplished through video conference and phone communication; in turn, keeping your projects moving forward, even in these uncertain times.
Lifesong Church - located in Sutton, Massachusetts, recently selected Kansas City, Missouri based architect Mantel Teter to lead them through a metrics analysis, discovery and design process to update their Sutton campus master plan. The church will be adding NextGen ministry space and renovating existing space for offices, SEU academy, and other worship support areas. "We’re so thrilled to be back partnering with this great church serving the New England area and witnessing all the growth happening at this campus location and 2 other campuses!" commented David Evans, the Principal for the project.
Abundant Life identified Blue Springs, Missouri as a growing and underserved area where they could make a difference. The church selected their long-term partner Mantel Teter Architects to help them identify a location that would be a good value and ensure long-term success. It was decided at the onset that the most impactful use of the church’s ministry dollars would be to renovate and existing structure rather than shouldering the cost of constructing an exterior building shell and site infrastructure including site grading, stormwater control, utilities, parking and lighting.
By Carey Nieuwhof
It’s not all gloom and doom. I’m an optimist.
You can always find the opportunity in every obstacle.
And yet, I get it. It’s easy to get discouraged about the future of the church.
While the world seems to be falling apart, so does the church.
Attendance in many places is shrinking, not growing. Even committed Christians are attending less often (here’s why). And young leaders aren’t exactly flocking into ministry.
And often we shoot ourselves in the foot, with everything from Pharisee-like self-righteousness to downright stupid things Christians do (here are 5).
There are some characteristics that will be true of all churches that grow in the future. The more closely you align with principles like these, the more likely it is you’ll reach more people.
I won’t include things like prayer and Scripture in the list because I hope they’re foundational. The five listed below are, well, less obvious.
As you think about the future and how you need to change as a church, here are five characteristics of opportunities you have that might really help you grow.
Lawson Baptist Church - located in Lawson, Missouri, recently selected Kansas City, Missouri based architect Mantel Teter to lead them through a discovery and design process to update their campus master plan and add facilities. Immediate facility needs include a family life center and additional space for lobby & gathering. "We’re thrilled to be back with this church team for Phase 2 & help them develop and design new facilities." shared Brian Rathsam, Project Architect for the project.
Lifespring Wesleyan Church - located in Sturgis, South Dakota, recently selected Kansas City, Missouri based architect Mantel Teter to lead them through a metrics analysis and discovery process to evaluate their existing facilities and consider other off-campus options. Immediate facility needs include space to grow worship capacity, additional space for lobby & gathering, and NextGen ministry spaces to balance with the increased worship capacity. "This great church is doing some cool stuff in the Black Hills that is unique to this area and people are coming to church and learning about a relationship with Jesus!” stated David Evans, Principal for the project.
Northland Baptist Church - located in Kansas City, Missouri, north of the river, recently selected Kansas City, Missouri based architect Mantel Teter to lead them through a metrics analysis, discovery and design process to update their campus master plan and add facilities. Immediate facility needs include better wayfinding, additional worship capacity, additional space for lobby & gathering, and NextGen ministry. "This church has a neat strategy and it’s impacting their building in a very positive way. We’re excited to partner with this church & help them develop and design new facilities." shared Brian Rathsam, Project Architect for the project.
Journey Bible Church - located in Olathe, Kansas, recently selected Kansas City, Missouri based architect Mantel Teter to lead them through a metrics analysis, discovery and design process to update their campus master plan and add facilities. Immediate facility needs include a new Sanctuary, additional space for lobby & gathering, and NextGen ministry spaces to balance with the new Sanctuary capacity. "Our team is excited to partner with this great church & develop an updated master plan and design new facilities to help them impact the Kingdom." stated David Evans, Principal for the project.
Rock Brook Church - located in Belton, Missouri, recently selected Kansas City, Missouri based architect Mantel Teter to lead them through a metrics analysis, discovery and design process to update their campus master plan and add facilities. Immediate facility needs include better wayfinding, additional worship capacity, additional space for lobby & gathering, and NextGen ministry. "Our team is honored to partner with this church & help them develop and design new facilities that will create impact for the Kingdom." shared Brian Rathsam, Project Architect for the project.
By Ryan Stigile
If your team lacks discipline, it’s only a matter of time before you get pulled off course.
If you’re a church leader, you likely have a vision for your ministry in 2020.
There’s something you passionately feel your team needs to accomplish—maybe you’d like to better minister to families. Maybe you’re hoping to start new small groups. You might even be considering the launch of a new campus.
Whatever that vision may be, I hope you’ll accomplish it. But I’m concerned that many church leaders will end the year disappointed.
Brian Rathsam, Vice President
We are excited to announce that Brian Rathsam has recently become a shareholder and Vice President in the firm. He has served as a project architect since 2008. Rathsam received a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Drury University in Springfield, Missouri and has been with the firm since June 2000. He will provide principal leadership in the execution of the firm’s architectural services as well as business development.
Skyler Phelps, Senior Vice President
Skyler Phelps has recently become a Senior Vice President in the firm. He has been a shareholder since 2008 and a Vice President since 2004. Phelps received a bachelor’s degree in architecture from Drury University in Springfield, Missouri and has been with the firm since September 1998. He will continue to provide principal leadership in the execution of the firm’s architectural services and core operations as well as business development.
Jordan Elliott, Project Designer
Jordan Elliott has joined the firm as a Project Designer. Elliott received a master’s degree of architectural design from Kansas State University and has 5 years of experience designing municipal, commercial, and high-end residential projects. He will provide technical design and support for several religious and commercial projects for the firm. Welcome to the team, Jordan!
Fellowship of Grace, known as FOG, has a history of meeting in several locations before arriving at their final permanent home in Parkville, Missouri. Schools and strip centers only name a few, but then an opportunity to merge with and acquire a small Baptist church located at a highly prominent corner in Parkville, Missouri became a reality. The church was able to sell a portion of their property to a developer, which helped fund the expansion and improvements. The existing church building was in fair disrepair and needed updating to become a relevant tool for the ministries at FOG. This project included a campus master plan and that next phase included a lobby/entry addition that would serve the existing building and future Sanctuary. The children’s ministry area was also expanded and renovated.
On October 27, 2019, Skyler Phelps, Board Chair of Sheffield Place, was recognized by Blue KC and KCFX/Chiefs Radio Network as the Here For Good Hero for the Chiefs home game against the Green Bay Packers.
Sheffield Place opened its doors in February 1991 as a community response to the growing population of homeless mothers and their children in the Kansas City area. To date, Sheffield Place has assisted more than 1,200 families in making the difficult journey from homelessness to self-sufficiency. Empowering the families to heal from the severe, chronic and continuous trauma they have experienced is the first step in the process of self-sufficiency.
