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.

Upward Sports Ministries

FUMC is beginning its third year of Upward Sports. Currently we host three sports programs for children ages 3 – 7th grade.  Football enrolls around 300.  Cheerleading enrolls 50 – 60 and basketball has around 250 participants.  This translates to approximately 400 families participating in FUMC Sports Ministries.  Families come from several suburbs in the south Tulsa area.

Upward volunteers are encouraged to build relationships with families and be aware of opportunities to invite persons to participate in the church.  They are also encouraged to listen for needs, offer prayer and/or pastoral support when the opportunity presents itself.  Every year several Upward families experience crisis and the church has been able to provide support during this time.  Slowly but surely, some of these families are finding their way to worship and other church activities.  Upward coaches lead prayer and devotions at each practice.  Devotions are given at halftime of every game to all in attendance.

Randy Mitchell

Upward Sports is a high energy outreach to the community.  We are clear that sports alone will not win families to Jesus Christ.  Relationships are forming that will make a future difference.

Bixby, OK is one of the fastest growing communities in Oklahoma. FUMC moved from its historic downtown location four years ago to a new location in one of the highly visible areas of the community. The church is located on a busy street and is highly visible from blocks away.  Street side signage advertises programs each week. The congregation experienced significant growth during the first year of the new building but the growth has been difficult to sustain. As the new began to wear off, programming struggled to keep up with the influx of new people and a pastoral change 15 months ago added another layer to the mix. The congregation has been regrouping and significant numbers of visitors are coming again.  Hands on Mission projects in the local area give opportunities for anyone to serve.  Significant time and energy is rebuilding the youth programming.  Children’s ministry is offering new week day programs.  Adult education opportunities have been intentionally developed.  A process is in place to assimilate new members into the life of the church but this continues to be difficult.  Sunday attendance is beginning to grow again.

The work continues, as a vision team discerns the next years of ministry.

Randy Mitchell, pastor – rmitchell@olp.net

Bixby FUMC – http://www.fumcbixby.org