Welcome back to the unfolding story of Mars Hill Baptist Church, a sanctuary that has stood as a beacon of faith, hope, and community in the heart of Chicago for over six decades.
If you joined us for Part 1, you already know Mars Hill is no ordinary church. It’s a living testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together, united by faith and driven by a vision.
As we dive into Part 2 of this compelling series, prepare to be inspired by the church’s innovative outreach, transformative leadership, and bold steps into the future.
Whether you’re a long-time member or new to our community, what you’re about to read will deepen your understanding of Mars Hill’s enduring legacy and its exciting path forward.
Mars Hill Baptist Church: Continuing the Legacy
In our previous post, we embarked on a journey through the early days of Mars Hill Baptist Church, a sanctuary of faith, hope, and community nestled in the heart of Chicago. As we delve deeper into this continuation, we’ll uncover more facets of this remarkable institution, highlighting its growth, outreach, and the modern touches that make it a beacon in Chicago’s religious landscape.
Innovative Outreach: Beyond the Church Walls
Mars Hill’s vision has always transcended its physical boundaries. One of its groundbreaking initiatives was the bus ministry, a transformative outreach inspired by Jack Hyles and the First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana. This wasn’t merely a transport service; it was a mission to bring children from the inner city to Sunday school, planting seeds of faith and hope. By 1982, Mars Hill’s commitment to education and community led to the inception of a school, resulting in a surge in membership, reaching about 850 souls by 1992.
Transition and Transformation: A New Era
The dawn of the late 1990s heralded a significant transition for Mars Hill. With the leadership baton passed, Clarence E. Stowers, Jr., the founder’s son, emerged as a beacon of youthful energy and innovation. The untimely passing of Rev. Stowers Sr. in 1999 propelled the younger Stowers into leadership, marking a revitalization, growth, and transformation period for Mars Hill.
Diversifying Ministries: Catering to a Dynamic Congregation
Mars Hill expanded its horizons under Clarence E. Stowers, Jr.’s visionary leadership. By spring 2001, the church had birthed several new ministries. Mars Hill was moving from the Basketball ministry for sports enthusiasts to the Music ministry for budding talents. One standout event was the “Taste of Mars Hill,” a testament to Mars Hill’s commitment to community, faith, and fellowship.
Embracing Modernity: A Progressive Approach
While Mars Hill Baptist Church is steeped in tradition, it has always been forward-thinking. Recognizing the evolving dynamics of worship and the diverse needs of its congregation, the church made bold moves. Shorter, concise services were introduced, and the traditional pulpit was removed, symbolizing Mars Hill’s commitment to blending tradition with modern worship methods.
Looking Ahead: The Dawn of Mars Hill Anywhere
Mars Hill recognized the need to evolve as the world became more interconnected and digital. The church began envisioning a model to cater to its in-person congregation and growing online community. This vision led to “Mars Hill Anywhere,” a hybrid church model that seamlessly blends physical and digital worship experiences. This innovative approach ensures that no matter where someone is, they can be a part of the Mars Hill community, partaking in worship, fellowship, and spiritual growth.
Conclusion: A Legacy Continued and a Glimpse into the Future
As we wrap up this second installment on Mars Hill Baptist Church, it’s evident that its journey is a harmonious blend of tradition, innovation, faith, and community outreach. From its humble beginnings in 1963 to its current hybrid model, Mars Hill continues to inspire and nurture souls.
Stay tuned for Part 3, where we’ll delve deeper into the evolution of “Mars Hill Anywhere” and explore how the church has seamlessly transitioned into a hybrid model, catering to its in-person and online communities.
For a deeper dive into Mars Hill Baptist Church and its myriad programs and initiatives, visit www.marshillchicago.org.
Celebrating Six Decades of Faithful Service
As we reflect on the remarkable 60-year journey of Mars Hill Baptist Church, it’s evident that our legacy is not just built on bricks and mortar but on faith, dedication, and community. Our history is a tapestry of countless stories, prayers, and miracles; each of you is an integral thread.
This Sunday, we commemorate our past and ignite our future. Whether you’ve been with us since day one or just getting to know us, we invite you to be part of this milestone celebration.
Join us in person or tune in online at 10:30 AM Central for our 60th-anniversary service. Let’s honor the legacy, celebrate the present, and anticipate the boundless possibilities that await.
We eagerly anticipate the joy of worshiping with you online on Sunday, October 8, 2023, at 10:30 AM Central.
Remember, regardless of how you choose to participate—whether in person or online—the power of our collective worship transcends physical boundaries, uniting us as one body in Christ.
Be there. Be part of the legacy. Let’s write the next chapter of Mars Hill together.
Church leaders, are you sensing something but can't quite put your finger on it? Perhaps you're feeling it's becoming harder to lead. I want to talk about how we can change a culture. To do this, we need to understand it first.
We sometimes believe we have a problem when we don't. We have a word for that, and it's called being misdiagnosed, and it's something we must avoid in our efforts to reach people. To reach the post-Covid and post-Christian West, we must first understand it thoroughly.
As you know, the world is shifting at a rapid pace. In this post, I'd like to focus on cultural changes taking place right under our noses. In other words, let me explain the mindset of the people who attend our churches and why it's difficult leading them.
The People We Lead Prefer Individual Freedom and Happiness.
Lately, people are splitting into groups aligned with their self-interests. People are more interested in themselves and what they think of themselves. They don't care about what other people think of them anymore. These days, it's all about us.
People are more interested in themselves and what they think of themselves. They don't care about what other people think of them anymore. These days, it's all about us.
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The Bible established the standard for ethics, what people thought, how they behaved, and what they valued in the past. Experiences, wants, preferences, and emotions have taken their place.
For example, married people might say, "I feel like something has changed." And they might think that means they should get divorced. But sometimes, couples can work it out because their feelings change back again. That's why the divorce rate is five times what it was 50 years ago.
Furthermore, people will say, "I believe in God," but they won't attend church because it is old-fashioned and too traditional. Why? Because self has been elevated above God.
I have a friend who fights for Black Lives Matter. She's also sexually liberated and doesn't believe in God. She is like, "I am not going to listen to what you want me to do with my body, but I will tell you what you can do regarding Black Lives Matter.
The contradiction is confusing. Some people do not want to be judged on what they do. But on social media, everyone seems to judge other people. They're wannabe moralists.
As church leaders, we need to be able to push against this trend and make a difference.
Anything or Anyone That Restrict Freedom, Happiness, And Self-Expression Are Cancelled.
In the west, many people don't think religion is important. They believe that they can make their own religion. This may be because they don't like the way authority structures work. People want to do what they want to do and not follow anyone else, so many churches are having a hard time in today's world. That mindset doesn't adhere to the fact that Jesus is Lord.
When we say, "Jesus is Lord," it's about how we listen and obey what Jesus tells us. We know what we believe, but we must also follow his instructions.
Moreover, Christianity is not about winning. It is about obeying. We preach that you can be a winner in Christianity, but the truth is that it's about following something that goes beyond you. This can make your self-fulfillment challenging.
We preach that you can be a winner in Christianity, but the truth is that it's about following something that goes beyond you.
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What's Next?
Expand your thinking beyond the church and your building. Think Mission.
The church is not meant to be a sanctuary, but rather it's called the mission field. The goal should shift from building our faith within bricks and mortar walls; instead, let us strive for more than believing in something without seeing its results on earth--we need active participation that impacts lives around us!
The church is not meant to be a sanctuary, but rather it's called the mission field.
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If you are a church leader or pastor, this post should explain why leading in today's climate can be challenging. The people we lead prefer individual freedom and happiness instead of being told what they should do by an authority figure. This means that many churches are having trouble attracting members who want the gospel message of Jesus as Lord but not as Savior with all its restrictions on their behavior.
So, in short, people today don't want to be restricted by authority structures - including the church. They want to do what they want to do and not follow anyone else.
However, this doesn't mean that we should give up. We need to preach that Jesus is Lord and that our Faith is not about winning in life but following Him. We also need to be obedient to Him and not just do what we want. This will be a challenge in today's society, but it's one that we need to overcome.
Once, there were two pastors: one led a very successful church, while the other was never taken seriously. Neither pastor attended seminary, yet both had risen in ministry to lead their churches for years.
The first pastor led his church through covid-19, and his church is thriving; it has grown exponentially since covid-19, taking in new members. The church is thriving during covid-19 because of this pastor and his leadership team.
The second pastor's church has struggled since covid-19. After Covid, the church dwindled to a small group who sat in an empty sanctuary every Sunday. The church became so small that their attendees decided to meet in a house. Even though this pastor is still leading his church, he is not leading them very well.
Even if we don't want it to, the COVID-19 pandemic crisis is a turning point for the church. The church's aim has not changed. However, execution of that goal varies during COVID-19 and will undoubtedly differ after the epidemic is over.
You can't usually do what you were doing previously in a crisis. The situation requires us to perform the task differently. That's all there is to it. It comes down to a simple choice: will you want to be a pre-COVID-19 church that refuses to recognize the pandemic's potential for innovative ministry or a post-COVID-19 church that views the crisis as an opportunity to revitalize its ministry?
An opportunity not only emphasizes the church's goal — to make disciples — but also calls attention to God's call on our lives. Is God inviting us into something new?
We need to be careful not to transfer nonessential practices from pre-COVID-19 into post-COVID-19, anything that jeopardizes our mission or vision. The church's disruption will be more long-lasting than COVID-19 if we continue engaging in nonessential activities and busyness.
Even if we don't want it to, the COVID-19 pandemic crisis is a turning point for the church.
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What We Do is not as Important as WHY We Do What We Do
As we try to figure out how to function post-Covid, the "why" might disappear amid the endless logistics of moving from old ways of doing church to new. We have to stay focused on the church's original purpose, its mission.
In addition to reminding ourselves about why we do what we do, it would be wise of us to make a list of post-COVID-19 intentions and purposes that are essential for our churches' health. We need to prioritize the list. And then we have to ask ourselves: are these priorities or activities essential?
The importance of the "why" cannot be overstated. Now more than ever, the "why" is crucial. The church is fragile, but its "why" has a long reach. The church's why has staying power.
If the church and pastors are not careful, we will revert back to our old ways of doing church post-pandemic. We do not want that to happen because Covid-19 provides us with a golden opportunity to clarify our mission and explore innovative ways of doing ministry.
If the church and pastors are not careful, we will revert back to our old ways of doing church post-pandemic.
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Remember The Past, Don't Re-live It
Pastors and church leaders who wish to return to the way things were before the pandemic, there is no indication that they have learned any lessons.
Uncertainty is the only sure thing. It's wise to expect the unexpected because we rarely get what we desire. We can be fortunate and figure out why something has occurred. However, the greatest lesson we can take away is that a person may discover a lesson and learn from it, which is preferable to being lucky any day.
Maybe we've been asking the wrong questions all along. We used to rely on in-person worship and small groups before COVID-19.
"When are we going back to in-person services?" "When can we have Sunday school or small groups again?" These are the wrong questions to ask. Instead, we should be asking questions such as:
- How can I serve my community during covid-19?
- What are some innovative forms of ministry that will engage the church?
We need to embrace change and try new things. We have to do what is necessary to adapt to covid-19 circumstances. And then we have to be creative.
Pastors and church leaders who wish to return to the way things were before the pandemic, there is no indication that they have learned any lessons.
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Keep The Main Thing The Main Thing
COVID-19 has given some people an opportunity to rediscover gratitude. Others have learned the significance of generosity and perseverance. But what is the purpose?
Gratitude, generosity, and patience are all lessons taught by the church in response to the crisis. Most churches focus on protecting the community and maintaining the status quo, often at the expense of excluding others. But how can excluding individuals help those who are doing it?
Before the pandemic, making disciples was hard. Why? People use social media and other things to talk about things that are not good for their faith. Keeping the main thing (our mission) is good because it will keep the leaders from being distracted by things that cause division.
COVID-19 has generated new questions about the church, but it is not a crisis in itself. The church was born to keep people focused on Christ during every crisis and challenge. COVID-19 provides an opportunity for the church to reflect on its mission again.
The church's disruption will be more long-lasting than COVID-19 if we continue engaging in nonessential activities and busyness. This pandemic has given some people an opportunity to rediscover gratitude. Others have learned the significance of generosity and perseverance.
God gave us this opportunity to rediscover and uncover what we've taken for granted, such as giving and gratitude. At the heart of it all, you will find mission-focused, Christ-like leaders who possess a deep conviction toward the mission of God.
A new breed of church leader will emerge post-covid-19, able to lead in the power and love of Jesus Christ over all obstacles. They will be mindful about what matters most while enduring hardship so that others also might make it through.
Are there additional moves you see that the church must make in order to thrive post-Covid?
The church was born to keep people focused on Christ during every crisis and challenge.
When someone decides to detox, they are intentionally removing toxic substances from their bodies.
Our blood tells everything. When we visit the doctor’s office, they draw blood to see if there are any contaminants. We are triune beings (spirit, soul, & body) and like our bodies, toxins get in and contaminate our spirit and soul.
During this message series, we are focusing on detoxing the three different parts of our being: our spirit, our soul, and our body.
We need the detox because all of us allow toxic substances into our lives, whether knowingly or unknowingly. This week we’re detoxing our spirit, which technically doesn’t “need” detox because it is the part of us that is like God.
Our spirit is already clean and righteous. But the enemy still attacks our spirit, especially in our mind – and our mind feeds our spirit. Three things we must starve so that our spirit can thrive are doubt, negativity, and sin.
Today’s Question: What are some of the causes of toxic thoughts in your life?
2 Corinthians 10 tells us, the battle against our toxic thoughts is like none other. It is not a physical battle, but rather it is a spiritual battle that requires God’s help in fighting.
What happens when you combine trust, faith, and hope? They produce grit.
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, grit in the context of behavior is defined as “firmness of character; indomitable spirit.”
In light of the recent deaths of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, and five Dallas Police Officers, I decided to tweak this definition to be the ability to keep going despite setbacks, even when your efforts are not rewarded. Grit is what you need when facing dark days and sleepless nights.
[shareable]Grit is the ability to keep going despite setbacks even when your efforts aren’t rewarded.[/shareable]
It’s even tougher during our brutal winters. So what does a pastor to do when the temperature dips below zero, and the wind chill factor dips to double digits? Cancel service? Oh no! We’re the City of Broad Shoulders, and we don’t dare cancel services due to inclement weather.
Imagine making your sermons stick past Sunday? Imagine a proven strategy to get members and guests engaging with your messages long after Sunday. Are you interested? If so, read on.
My generation experienced the election of the first African-American President, the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks, Desert Storm, Iraq War, historic government bailouts, the passing of healthcare reform, and the greatest economic downturn since The Great Depression. However, in my opinion, the greatest shifts are happening now! (more…)
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Best regards,
Clarence E. Stowers, Jr.
