God does not always wait for our strategies. In fact, our idea
of "growing without growing" was an effort to catch up with what he
seemed to be about. The train was moving. We thought it would be
good to get on. "Growing without growing" refers to one aspect of
the larger vision of EDUCATION FOR EXULTATION.

The idea is that the larger multipurpose
room/gym/classroom/worship space to be built to the west of the new
educational building (which we would like to have up by Spring
2002) would be an incubator on Sunday morning for new churches.
During one of the Sunday morning worship services in the sanctuary,
another worship service with 400-600 people would take place with a
different preacher and worship team in the "incubator." The aim
would be that this worshiping group would take on its own identity
as it is "incubated," on site, and would develop into a church of
its own and then move to its own location with a full staff and all
the support ministries trained and in place and ready to go.

The purpose is that we plant churches and not build ever-bigger
sanctuaries on this site downtown - and that we not multiply
worship services indefinitely in this place. Not growing is not a
Biblical option. The Lord means to win people to himself and add
them to the church. But growing does not have to be in one place or
one church.

One problem is that we are two years behind in building for this
vision. Growth is not waiting for us. On September 10, there were
300 more people in worship than the year before. And on the 17th,
there were 400 more people in worship than the year before. As an
interim solution we have converted the Fellowship Hall into
"overflow worship space" during both services on Sunday mornings.
One hundred of you worshiped there on September 17.

Nevertheless the church planting vision moves ahead. In addition
to the inner-ring of suburban churches that Bethlehem planted fifty
years ago, there have been six church "plants" or major "infusions"
more recently.

¨ Immanuel Baptist Church, led by Brent Nelson ¨ Laotian
Church of Peace, led by Phou Littana ¨ Celebration Community
Church, led by Jim Bloom ¨ Hope Community Church, led by Steve
Treichler ¨ Grace Church Richfield, led by Rick Gamache ¨
Sovereign Joy Fellowship, led by Cecil Smith

This last church, Sovereign Joy Fellowship, is an outgrowth of
Pilgrim Fellowship, one of our adult Sunday School classes. Over
the years together, God gave them a special vision of becoming a
separate church that would share Bethlehem's theology and vision
statement, but would be different in focusing church life more
fully on "cells," that is, on small groups that would be "the
essence of church" and would multiply as God gave health and growth
to the body. Cecil Smith (612-781-6252) and Russ Gregg
(612-871-6979) are giving leadership to the church.

We will commission this body of believers and bless them on
Sunday, September 24. As with Grace Church Richfield, I would
encourage all of you to pray about whether God may be calling you
to be a courageous part of this great venture of faith. They have
been meeting on Saturday evenings for worship for the last several
months, and on Saturday, September 23, will begin to meet at the
building of Grace Church Richfield at 7101 Nicollet Avenue. Russ or
Cecil would be happy to answer your questions if you want to know
more.

Is Growing without Growing working? The "growing" part is, but
not the "without growing." Not yet. May God give us the incubator
soon! That means $3.5 million more pledged this fall. Our aim is
October 15. Remember the Gideon Venture and the Isaac Factor, and
pray. If you have questions about giving or pledging call the
church for a contact person (612-338-7653).

Pastor John