This is part of a series of interviews with pastors of churches whose attendance has grown 20% or more in 5 years. We hope this series will be a resource of ideas to help increase worship attendance at your church.

A TRADITIONAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH GROWING IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA??????

Chippewa UMC, just outside of Beaver Falls, Pa. has witnessed over the past 6 years a tremendous growth in worship attendance, membership and spirit. Chippewa UMC is not in a “growing area”, not in the suburbs of the North Hills of Pittsburgh but nestled in the upper north of Beaver County. Why is Chippewa UMC growing?

Offering Christ is a Wesleyan term that seems to be outdated! Not so at Chippewa UMC. The staff, the congregation, the vision of the church is all about offering Christ in all the ministry inside and outside the church family. Car Cruises, Focus On Hoops Basketball Camp, VBS, Dream Corner Teen Center, The Gathering that was held at a local bar, 5 weekend worship services, Fall Festival, Concerts inside & outside; all reflect the passion and compassion of a church that is reaching out in the name of Jesus Christ. Chippewa UMC has purchased the property to expand the facilities to build a Community Life Center and Worship Center. This vision hastaken a lot of money and work, however the church is moving into a direction that most United Methodists are not moving…growing, expanding, alive and Christ Centered. Chippewa UMC will soon be breaking ground for a 1.8 million dollar project called the Chippewa UMC Community Life Center. This is a radical Wesleyan move….called Offering Christ to the community when 9 out of 10 cars that pass the church have no connection to God and the church. When most churches are cutting back, downsizing, warring over worship, frustrated , …Chippewa UMC is moving and growing in the spirit of a Christ that came to offer himself to all.

Pastor Rod Smith – pastorrod@chippewaumc.org

Church website: http://www.chippewaumc.org