Multisite :: Celebrate :: City Church San Francisco

Multisite

Celebrate

One Church Many Locations

City Church will be starting its second location in the Mission District at Horace Mann Middle School: 3351 23rd St. at 10 AM on Easter Sunday April 4, 2010. We are seeking to duplicate the DNA of City Church as best we can to see God do in other locations what we have seen Him do on Sutter St. It's really that simple. One church, one vision, one elder board, one diaconate, one ministry structure, one bank account, one everything! Yet in many locations, enabling us to fulfill the call of God in San Francisco.

Why Multi-Site?

Easiest answer: We are following Jesus in mission to reach the whole city, which can't be done from one location. Early on at a gathering of some original City Churchers we asked this question: What would serve San Francisco the best, a church of 4000, or 10, 400 person churches?" Our answer at the time was: No one church can fulfill our vision of following Christ in mission to every nook and cranny of San Francisco. We would tweak that now to say no one location of our church can reach the city. We need to be his presence as broadly as possible and to love each area of our city as locally as possible, and we cannot do that from one location.

Imagine
As you watch hundreds of people stream up for communion next Sunday, close your eyes and imagine that scene being repeated all over the city as people hear the gospel, and begin to follow Christ in mission. Imagine the impact of 3 or 5 or 10 such scenarios taking place in our city, each with the commitment to embody their faith through loving the city and investing in it's health and peace? San Francisco would never be the same, and would become more and more as we have said over the years, "a place where Jesus Christ is known, honored, and served."

Prayer Updates

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2010

March 12

4 WEEKS TO OFFICIAL LAUNCH!

Hi friends,

What an exciting weekend! We had our volunteer training day, first preview service, and first day beautifying the campus of Horace Mann Middle School.

Volunteer Training
On Saturday, more than 50 volunteers were equipped to serve at City Church 23rd St. I was filled with gratitude as I met new people who are stepping forward to serve in the Mission (many of whom had never volunteered to serve with City Church before). There are another 30 people who couldn't make it, so Jonny Whitaker is organizing all volunteers for both church campuses to make sure we're all equipped and ready to jump in at either location. If you'd like to get involved, you can email him at Jonny@citychurchsf.org.

First Preview Service
Our first preview service this past Sunday went off with far fewer hitches than I would have expected for a first-run. More than 50 volunteers and staff gathered for worship on 23rd Street! I was impressed by the volunteers in the multiple ministries who all worked together to make sure that when we open the doors to the entire neighborhood, newcomers will be welcomed, children will be cared for, cars will be parked, people will be safe, communion will be served, audio will be heard, music will be excellent, and on and on. I am really excited about the people God is calling to serve on 23rd Street. If they're any indication of the congregation-to-come (and they are), we have a lot to look forward to! We have three more preview services to learn, adjust, and get ready for the BIG LAUNCH on Easter, April 4th.

Beautifying Horace Mann Middle School
More than 50 volunteers came out on Saturday to paint three classrooms at Horace Mann. (That's right, with these 50 folks and the 50 volunteers at the training, there were 100 City Church folks at Horace Mann on Saturday!) They did a terrific job and Mark Sanchez, principal of the school, emailed me to say, "I'm so happy that we are forming a great relationship with your church. Our staff LOVES the painting in our classrooms. Thank you!"

Our family is still Looking for Housing in the Mission
We deeply want to live in the neighborhood where we serve and minister. The two places we were hoping for last week fell through. It's getting wearying, but we're being persistent. We have an application out on a home on 19th Street now. I'll let you know as soon as we get into a home in the Mission! Until then, thank you for praying alongside us.

Please Pray

For all of the volunteers of the many ministries on 23rd Street: (children's, youth, welcoming, parking, security, audio, music, preaching, set up/tear down). Pray that these dedicated people will find joy in serving and advance in our calling to love our city as they minister on Sundays. If you aren't a part of any ministry, ask God to show you if there might be an opportunity for you to serve on 23rd St. or Sutter St.
For the people of the Mission and surrounding areas. Pray for God to stir and awaken people, drawing them into a thirst and hunger for him.
For the students and faculty of Horace Mann. In this article from the Chronicle on Tuesday, you can read about the difficulties they are facing right now. Pray for wisdom and confidence for the principal, Mark Sanchez, and his staff. Ask God to renew the school and all the people who are a part of it.

Grace and Peace,

Matt