What makes a vibrant, growing Church of Christ?

The Fifth Ward Church of Christ is the latest congregation featured in the Churches That Work series. (photo by Tamie Ross)

Fifteen congregations.
Fifteen Churches That Work.
The June print issue of The Christian Chronicle features the latest congregation in our 5-year-old series highlighting vibrant, growing Churches of Christ across the nation:

HOUSTON — The Fifth Ward Church of Christ lets its light shine — in a big way.
East of downtown, the city’s oldest black church sits just off heavily traveled Interstate 10 in view of high-rises and Minute Maid Park, home of baseball’s Astros.
With five elders and 30 deacons, the congregation of 800 to 1,000 on any given Sunday believes in staying busy.
“If I’m busy, I don’t have a whole lot of time for foolishness,” said pulpit minister Gary Smith, a Houston native who played football at Southern Methodist University alongside former NFL star Eric Dickerson.

Previous congregations featured include:
Northwest Church of Christ, Chicago. January 2010.
Pitman Church of Christ, Sewell, N.J. May 2009.
Dalton Gardens Church of Christ, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. January 2009.
White’s Ferry Road Church of Christ, West Monroe, La. September 2008.
Lynn Street Church of Christ, Parkersburg, W.Va. June 2008.
Anchorage, Alaska,Church of Christ. March 2008.
Canyon Church of Christ, Anthem, Ariz. October 2007.
Orange Avenue Church of Christ, Eustis, Fla. May 2007.
Cordova Church of Christ, Rancho Cordova, Calif. January 2007.
Northern Hills Church of Christ, Spearfish, S.D. August 2006.
Southern Hills Church of Christ, Dallas. May 2006.
Fairfax, Va., Church of Christ. December 2005
Metro Church of Christ, Gresham, Ore. August 2005.
Highland Street Church of Christ, Memphis, Tenn. April 2005.
Your turn: Which congregation should we consider featuring in the future — and why? Please leave a comment.
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• Feedback
  Please include in your search for vibrant, growing churches of Christ, a congregation so very dear to my heart. Warrenton, Virginia church of Christ, is by far the most loving and nurturing group of Christians I have ever met. I know, I was a member there until I married and moved to Indiana. From the very day I walked into their lives, worshipped among, studied with, laughed and cried with, lived and learned with, they have always been my family. They pursue God’s very Truth and seek to encourage and support each other and community, outreaching and active in missions and within themselves as a group, with a love that can only come from Christ. Please go and check them out, I wish more in the body of Christ were like them.
  Sincerely and kindly,
  Danielle

  Danielle Chandler

  May, 13 2010

  Very enjoyed this! Well done!

  Embatatly

  June, 7 2010