LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF MUSIC
Capstone Project
Strategy for Designing Worship based on Case Study #2
Vision Church, Chicago, IL
Submitted to Dr. Tony Cooper
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
WRSP 421
Congregational Ministry
by
Madilyn Dowell
Contents
Strategy for Designing Worship…………………………….…………………….....………….1
Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………1
Cultural Influences………………………………………………………………………………2
Demographic Influences…………………………………………………………………………2
Pastoral Influences……………………………………………………………………………….3
Church Staff………………………………………………………………………………...……3
Church Resources…………………………………………………………….………………….4
Philosophy and Purpose of Ministry……………………………………………………………5
Spiritual Resources………………………………………………………………………………5
Musical Resources……………………………………………………………………………….6
Equipment Resources……………………………………………………………………………7
Other Items Related to Worship…………………………………………….………………….7
Strategy for Worship Ministry……………………………………….…………………………8
Order of Service………………………………………………….……….………………….10
Rationale for Song Selection………………………………………………………………...11
Summary…………….………………………………………………………………………….11
Bibliography…………………………………………………………………………………….14
Appendix I – Capstone Outline………………….…………………………………………….16
Appendix II – Chosen Case Study………………………………….………………………….19
ii
1
Strategy for Designing Worship
“Every congregation is unique, and its worship should have a unique personality… this
gives every person a sense of ownership and belonging”.1 The worship culture, language and
DNA of Vision Church are influenced by several factors, both internal and external. The culture,
demographics, and overall spiritual needs of the church shape and mold the worship DNA of the
church so that it is an accurate reflection of the people. This worship DNA influences how
worship is approached, planned, and executed. The goal is simple: to meet people where they
are. Vision church does this effectively by offering practical contemporary worship music,
understandable and applicable Bible teaching, livestreaming their worship services, and
maintaining a very active and successful radio and television ministry.
Introduction
Vision Church was chartered in 1998 and is now a large mega church located in the
metroplex of Chicago, Illinois. Average attendance between the Saturday evening and Sunday
morning services consistently runs between approximately 5,800 to 6,000 people, not including
the online audience that is reached through the livestream, radio, and television ministries.2
Vision Church is totally committed to a contemporary worship style and is known for its
practical Bible teaching and innovative worship ministry.
Vision Church’s leadership devotes their energy and resources to reaching and
communicating the gospel to this generation. This is supplemented by the allocations of the
church’s budget to ministries and outreaches that help the church be relevant in a modern society.
Cultural Influences
1 Greg Scheer, “The Art of Worship: A Musician’s Guide to Leading Modern Worship”, (Grand
Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2006) Chapter 4.
2 Vernon M. Whaley, “Case Study #2: Vision Church”, (WRSP 421 Assignment Instructions,
2021) 5.
2
Vision Church is a congregation of believers who are hungry for God. They do not
identify with a particular denomination but are theologically and socially conservative. They
have a passion for God and country. They are totally committed to evangelism, revival, and a
culture of worship. I can be said that the worship services at Vision Church are more
contemporary in nature, although the church does not label the services as contemporary. The
church is comprised of many marginalized people groups, and this has direct influence on the
approach that the church takes in regard to outreach. They desire to make the gospel accessible
and approachable to as many people as possible, both within the community and beyond.
Demographic Influences
The congregations we lead represent the culture from which they come. Everyone in our
congregations “…has their own form of communication”.3 Demographic influences help us
understand what our congregations are interested in. Additionally, demographic influences help
us “identify their worship language”, which helps us as worship leaders understand how to best
communicate to them in a meaningful and resonating way.4 This is crucial to building and
leading an effective worship ministry. Vision Church accurately represents the diversity you
would expect to see in the body of Christ. The most prominent group within the congregation is
professionals under 40 with families (60%).5 Another significant age group is teens through
college aged, single adults (25.5%).6 Only about 5% of the church calls themselves senior
adults.7 Although the congregation is not ethnically diverse – being that 75% of congregants are
Caucasian – considerable effort has been made on the part of the church leadership to reach the
3 Vernon M. Whaley, “Understanding A Congregation’s Worship Language”, WRSP 421, Video
Presentation, 12:25, Liberty University, March 7, 2018.
4 Whaley, “Understanding A Congregation’s Worship Language”.
5 Whaley, Case Study #2, 5.
6 Ibid.
7 Whaley, Case Study #2, 5.
3
growing African American, Asian, Latino, and other marginalized communities.8 10% of
congregants identify with a minority group, and another 10% are Eastern European.9
Pastoral Influences
The Pastor is a strong leader both of his family and of Vision Church. He is a visionary,
and his love for people compels an emphasis on evangelism and bringing people to Jesus. He is
not known primarily for his preaching, but for his relational abilities. His philosophy of ministry
is centered around evangelism and worship. He is theologically and politically conservative, and
this is reflected in the church as a whole. His philosophy and style of preaching are simple and
focus on making the Bible understandable and practically applicable to people. His philosophy of
worship guides his view of his position, and because of this, he takes his role as the chief
worship leader of the church very seriously and gives direction to the music and worship
ministry so that it connects with people. He is constantly championing the mindset that “the
people are more important than the songs”.10
Church Staff
The executive staff consists of the Senior Pastor, Executive Pastor, Worship Pastor,
Education Pastor, and Evangelism and Discipleship Pastor. Other pastoral staff includes the
Children’s Pastor, Student Ministries Pastor, Single Adult Pastor, Pastor of International
Ministries, Visitation Pastor, Social Ministries Director, Director of Drama Ministry, Media
Director, and Women’s Ministry Director. There are 15 full time pastors, and each has their own
administrative assistant.11 There are four staff members – under the leadership of the Worship
8 Whaley, Case Study #2, 6.
9 Ibid.
10 Ibid.
11 Whaley, Case Study #2, 6.
4
Pastor – who run the radio and television ministry. Beyond salaried staff, there are many
volunteers who help the various ministries within the church function.
The staff supports a collective vision to reach to Chicago community for Christ. The staff
approaches worship with the philosophy that worship should be practical, so as to meet people
where they are. That worship should involve homegrown leaders, be done with excellence, place
a high priority on teaching and training, be evangelistic, and steward the resources given by God.
The staff is also involved in the worship ministry by writing original worship songs to be sung
corporately. This is a beautiful model because the church leaders know the people they lead and
are able to write music that not only glorifies God, but accurately represents the worship DNA of
the church body. This fulfills the need to “…develop a process for communicating worship in the
language of the people that God has called us to work with”.12
Church Resources
The congregation meets in what used to be a theatre. It seats 2,349 people and is located
in one of the more affluent areas of Chicago. Though the auditorium is not new, it has been
renovated and transformed into a space that meets the needs of the people. It has an education
facility that doubles as a space for the Christian school.
Vision Church has an extensive annual budget of $15 million that is allocated to the
different ministries within the church as well as outreaches. $330,000 of the budget goes to the
music and worship ministry (not including salaries for worship staff or media). 20% of the
budget goes to missions and outreach initiatives both on a local and global scale.
The Church invested over $2.5 million in upgrading to the most up-to-date lighting and
sound equipment, and has acquired the latest computers, media, video support, and music-related
12 Vernon M. Whaley, “Dynamics of Music and Worship” WRSP 421, Video Presentation, 14:30,
Liberty University, March 7, 2018.
5
software to accommodate the modernization and innovation of the worship style and music of
the church. The best of the church resources, however, are not inanimate. The best resources are
the volunteers who devote their time and service to fulfilling the mission and vision of the church
to reach the Chicago community and the world.
Philosophy and Purpose of Ministry
Vision Church’s overall philosophy of worship is quite straight forward: worship should
be approachable and inviting for the gathered body. Worship ministry should use human
resources from within the church. The worship ministry should be committed to excellence
because God deserves our best, our first-fruits. Worship should place a high priority on teaching
and training the congregation and stewarding the resources provided by God in an honorable
way. Finally, the worship team should recognize their role as ministers of the gospel through
music and use whatever means necessary to champion the gospel and win people to Christ.13
The emphasis of the worship ministry is certainly evangelical in nature, aligning with the
passion of the Senior Pastor and Worship Pastor alike. “Evangelism takes place through worship
when, out of our love for the Almighty, we are motivated to tell others about Christ”.14 The
church places a strong emphasis on the sacraments and partakes in communion together on the
first Sunday of every month as an act of worship. Jesus initiated “a liturgy of love – Communion
– to forever remind us of God’s unfathomable love for us”, and Vision Church follows the
command of Jesus to partake in it often in remembrance of the Savior.15
Spiritual Resources
13 Stephen Miller, “Worship Leaders, We Are Not Rock Stars”, (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers,
2013) Chapter 7.
14 Vernon M. Whaley, “The Dynamics of Corporate Worship”, 2nd ed. (Academx Publishing
Services Inc., 2009) 115.
15 Vernon M. Whaley, “Called to Worship”, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc., 2009) Chapter
16.
6
The spiritual condition of the Vision congregation is one of hunger for God and a deeper
revelation of His presence. The congregation enjoys good Bible teaching and absorbs the
practical and understandable messages from the Senior Pastor. The congregation identifies with
the worship style and actively participates in the worship services.
The personnel involved in the worship ministry are godly men and women that have a
solid and devoted walk with God. They are specifically trained by the Worship Pastor and are
open and receptive to his instruction. They have a hunger for God and a heart for serving His
people in congregational ministry. The commitment of the worship team is strong, as they
rehearse three times together outside of Saturday evening and Sunday morning worship services.
Additionally, they serve as a core recording team when demos need to be created. They are
committed to the Pastor’s vision to evangelize and take every opportunity to serve.
The staff is united in its effort to evangelize the Chicago community for Jesus. Staff
members are on board with the Pastor’s vision and are committed to serving that vision in an
effort to bring people to a saving knowledge of and relationship with Christ. The staff also has a
commitment to Biblically based worship, using a balance of worship music published by major
Christian music companies and music literature written by staff personnel. “Whenever we
worship the Lord, we must keep His truths in balance”, so the Vision team is committed to
evaluating congregational worship songs for Biblical and theological soundness as well as
melodic singability.16
Musical Resources
The worship band consists of one team which includes a pianist, a keys player, a
drummer, an acoustic guitarist, a bass player, an electric guitarist, a percussionist, and a B-3
Hammond organist. Each of these musicians is highly skilled. Most are volunteers from the
16 Warren Wiersbe “Real Worship”, 2nd ed, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000) Chapter 17.
7
community, but many are music teachers and professionals in the area. The worship singers
consist of four teams of six vocalists who rotate each week. There is also a worship team of
Russian origin consisting of four vocalists, a keys player, a drummer, a bassist, an electric and
acoustic guitarist that handles the worship needs of the monthly Russian congregation. These
worship teams are all skilled and are specifically trained by the Worship Pastor to fit the style of
worship for Vision Church. They are dependable, they are committed to congregational ministry,
and they have captured the pastor’s vision to reach the community and beyond for Jesus by
presenting worship in a way that connects with people. The worship leaders understand that
“God has an expectation upon our lives as leaders in the church to take on the role of being a
pastor in some context, especially in dealing with people”.17
Equipment Resources
Beyond the basic necessities such as mics, cables, packs, mixers, etc., the Vision worship
ministry budget allows for purchase of high-end equipment, reflecting the desire to maintain a
standard of excellence. Thus, the new lighting and sound equipment, purchased within the year,
are state of the art. The core worship instruments, such as piano, keyboard, and drums, have all
been upgraded as well. Copy machines, computers, and appropriate media equipment are all
available, and the computers and media equipment are decked out with the latest in music related
and video software to streamline production.
Other Items Related to Worship
In addition to the Easter, July 4th, and Thanksgiving special events, the Vision worship
team hosts an annual 15-day Christian music festival. They typically bring in around 20 bands
and groups and reach nearly 40,000 over the span of the festival. This is a great way for the
17 Dr. John Kinchen, “You’re More Than a Musician, You’re A Pastor”, WRSP 321, Video
Presentation, 15:30, Liberty University, February 8, 2019.
8
ministry to expand its network of and connections with fellow worship leaders. Networking,
even for a worship ministry, is important because it “puts you in contact with more people giving
you potential access to their networks… along with knowledge and compassion, your network is
your most valuable asset”.18
The drama ministry is highly respected and well known in the area. The drama team is
integrated into the worship services before the pastor preaches his message by being featured in
one-act plays, monologues, and reader’s theatre. Additionally, the drama team puts on an annual
presentation of The Christmas Carol – The Musical. The church staff wrote and produced the
musical. The Vision worship team and drama team, along with area musicians, all collaborate for
this event to make it a truly exceptional production in an effort to draw in and reach the Chicago
community. Vision Church has a very active radio and television ministry in which re-broadcasts
of the services are sent to six commercial outlets across the country and four cable venues. “It is
estimated that the weekly ministry reaches more than 15 million people each week”.19 Finally,
Vision Church founded an elementary school in 2007 in which many excellent musicians teach.
The students that are involved in the school’s worship team also lead worship for the Saturday
evening worship services at the church.
Strategy for Worship Ministry
In considering a strategy for developing a worship ministry at Vision Church, I believe
that a blended, Christo-centric music and worship ministry would be most beneficial for the
church and the needs of its people. This includes a full modern worship band, a worship choir, a
drama team, and vocal and instrumental ensembles This kind of music and worship ministry
would align with the mission to meet people where they are. Staying true to the mission will
18 John C. Maxwell, “The 360 Degree Leader: Developing Influence from Anywhere in the
Organization”, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc., 2011) Section IV.
19 Whaley, Case Study #2, 7.
9
assist in short-range and long-range planning by giving direction to and outlining goals for both.
The ministry should emphasize that worship is not an experience, but a response to who God is.
It is “the operation of the Holy Spirit of God within us that enables us to worship”.20
Given the most prominent age group within the church, the cultural background, and
other influences on the worship culture of the church, I believe that a blended worship style
would be most appropriate for the church. Combining the creativity and poetry of modern
worship songs with the nostalgia and rich truths of hymnody would ensure that all age groups
would be able to identify and engage with the worship music, leading to a worship environment
that is more conducive to participation, and ensuring that the worship music would resonate with
everyone in the room. Blended worship also balances the emphasis of the Word and the Spirit,
which would better reflect the values of the church.
Given that the church lends itself to a more contemporary style already, this would not be
a difficult transition to mediate. I would suggest that the worship team expand its use of
instruments to include rhythm electric guitar and strings to have a fuller sound. The musicians
who fill these positions should come from within the body, maintaining the philosophy of the
church to raise up worship team members within. The worship ministry should use the choir and
orchestra for special events or features to enhance the worship team and create special moments
for the congregation to experience. This would also provide an opening for more people to
become involved in the music and worship ministry. Tech and lighting should be used to
contribute to the excellence factor of the team, and to enhance the ambiance of the worship
setting so that the environment is more conducive to corporate worship.
20 A.W. Tozer, “Whatever Happened to Worship: A Call to True Worship”, (Chicago, IL:
WingSpread Publishers, 2012) Chapter 3.
10
Worship team members should be used to do more than just sing or play. While the
Worship Pastor leads in prayer, speaking over songs transitions, etc., vocalists should be
comfortable with giving a call to worship at the beginning of the worship set, praying or
speaking over a transition, or leading in other ways as the Worship Pastor sees fit. The worship
team should not relegate their responsibilities to just singing songs, but leading them. Not just
playing songs, but worshiping through them, and thereby modeling worship for the congregation
and leading them into an awareness of God’s presence.
Order of Service
Theme – “We See You”. Aligns with current message series
Prelude – Vision Worship Spotify Playlist
Countdown
Welcome/host moment – Pastoral Staff
Fellowship moment – Congregation
Call to worship – Worship Leader
Opening Song – Battle Belongs (A) – Phil Wickham. Worship team and congregation
Scripture Reading – Worship Leader
Song 2 – Living Hope (A) – Bethel Music. Worship team and congregation
Song 3 – Raise A Hallelujah (C) – Bethel Music. Worship team and congregation
Song 4 – Homecoming (C) – Bethel Music. Worship team and congregation
Offertory Prayer – Pastoral Staff
*Offering during message video bumper
Message – We See You: Week 1. Psalm 6.
Invitation – Worship Leader and Congregation
11
Playout – Worship team (chorus of opening song)
Postlude – Vision Worship Spotify Playlist
Rationale for Song Selections
The series “We See You” is all about unpacking mental health from a Biblical
perspective. Vision Church has a heart for reaching the hurting. There is such a stigma around
mental health within the Church today, and I think the people of Vision should be reminded that
it is okay not to be okay. We will face tribulation in this life. But God desires that we lay
everything that we face at His feet because He promises to help us bear our burdens. The songs
were chosen to supplement the emphasis of the series. The song keys were chosen so that
transitions would be smooth and also so that they would be more singable and therefore, more
inviting for the congregation so that they might be able to worship.
In opening with “Battle Belongs, the worship team is outlining that sometimes, we may
be in a state of despair and see nothing but negativity. But God sees the victory, for the battle
belongs to Him. The song “Living Hope” declares the profound truth that we have been set free
from the grip of death and the chains of life. Jesus rose, and because of that resurrection power,
we can have hope. He is our hope. The song “Raise A Hallelujah” is a fight song. It is the
commitment to worshiping God regardless of our circumstances because all of Heaven is
rallying and fighting for us, even when we cannot see it. This sets up the song closing the
worship set “Homecoming” so well. No matter how bad life gets on earth, we can rest in the
assurance that our debt has been paid, and we have heaven to look forward to.
Summary
To recapitulate, Vision Church is a megachurch in Chicago Illinois with a strong
commitment to evangelism. The staff is quite large but is unified under the mission and vision of
12
the Senior Pastor to reach the Chicago community for Jesus through their several, extensive
ministries. Vision Church places a priority on worship, both private and corporate, and worship is
at the heart of everything they do.
In studying Vision Church, I have come to find that their methodologies for worship are
successful and effective for their congregation and for this I commend them. To capitalize on and
further this success, I believe that, given the cultural background, demographic influences, and
overall appetite of the congregation, Vision Church would best function offering blended
worship services. I think they could maximize participation and outreach by offering blended
services to which all people could relate, whether in person or watching online.
I have learned several things several things from Vision Church, including the importance
of basing worship style off the worship DNA of the church, that outreach is most successful
when it is 1) understandable, 2) approachable, and 3) practical, and I gained insight as to how to
manage a worship team with rotating singers/musicians, which I can apply to future ministry.
I believe this study has equipped me with further insight as to how to approach worship
planning and execution by outlining the structure and function of worship ministry and the heart
and commitment behind it. I will use this insight in future ministry so that I can build/cultivate an
effective, lasting ministry within my church. Although I feel specifically called to local church
ministry rather than mega church ministry, I can glean from the methodologies used at Vision
Church in my specialization as a Worship Leader and Women’s Ministry Leader.
13
Bibliography
Kinchen, John Dr. You’re More than a Musician, You’re a Pastor. WRSP 321: Principles of
Worship Leadership. Video Presentation. 15:30. Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA.
February 8, 2019. Accessed December 15, 2021.
Maxwell, John C. The 360 Degree Leader: Developing Your Influence from Anywhere in the
Organization. Nashville TN: Thomas Nelson Inc. 2011. Accessed December 15, 2021.
https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781400203628/cfi/6/6[;vnd.vst.idref=Max
w_9781400203628_epub_c2_r1]!
Miller, Stephen. Worship Leaders, We Are Not Rock Stars. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers. 2013.
Accessed December 13, 2021.
https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780802488725/cfi/6/8!/4/2/2@0:0
Scheer, Greg. The Art of Worship: A Musician’s Guide to Leading Modern Worship. Grand
Rapids, MI. Baker Books. 2006. Accessed December 11, 2021.
https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781585582358/cfi/6/8[;vnd.vst.idref=Sche
_9781585582358_epub_c4_r1]!
14
Tozer, A.W. Whatever Happened to Worship? A Call to True Worship. Chicago, IL: WingSpread
Publishers, 2012.
Vernon, Whaley M. A Model for Worship. WRSP 421: Congregational Ministry. Video
Presentation. 14:30. Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA. March 7, 2018. Accessed
December 14, 2021.
Vernon, Whaley M. Called to Worship. Nashville, TN. Thomas Nelson Inc. 2009. Accessed
December 10, 2021.
https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781418580230/cfi/6/8[;vnd.vst.idref=Wha
l_ISBN9781418519582_epub_c4_r1]!
Whaley, Vernon M. Case Study #2 – Vision Church, Chicago, Illinois. WRSP 421 Assignment
Instructions, 2021.
Whaley, Vernon M. The Dynamics of Corporate Worship. 2nd ed. Academx Publishing Services
Inc. 2009. Accessed December 13, 2021.
https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/reader/books/9781682846384/pageid/7
Whaley, Vernon M. The Dynamics of Music and Worship. WRSP 421: Congregational Ministry.
Video Presentation. 14:30. Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA. March 7, 2018. Accessed
December 12, 2021.
Whaley, Vernon M. Understanding A Congregation’s Worship Language. WRSP 421:
Congregational Ministry. Video Presentation. 12:25. Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA.
March 7, 2018. Accessed December 15, 2021.
Wiersbe, Warren. Real Worship. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000. Accessed
December 12, 2021.
https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781585582686/cfi/6/10!/4/2@0:0
15
Appendix I – Capstone Project Outline
General Description of Church
Vision Church is a megachurch with an average attendance of approximately 5,800 to 6,000. The
church has 1 Saturday evening service, 3 Sunday morning services, and fully embraces a
contemporary worship style. Known for their practical application of Scripture, innovative
worship ministry, college ministry, and outreach to marginalized and hurting people groups,
Vision Church is committed to communicating the gospel to the present generation, and their
budget allocations reflect that mission.
Location
Vision Church is located in Chicago, IL. The church meets in an old theatre that is located in one
of the more affluent areas of Chicago.
1. Cultural Setting
a. Historical context of church.
b. Region.
c. Non-denominational.
d. Cultural traditions
e. Languages.
f. Contemporary thinking.
2. Demographic Characteristics
a. Predominant age group(s).
b. Predominant ethnic group(s).
c. Predominant life stage of congregants.
d. Political affiliations.
e. Socioeconomic status.
3. Pastor
a. Philosophy of ministry.
b. Philosophy of preaching.
c. Philosophy of worship.
d. Educational background.
e. Political affiliation.
f. Family context.
16
g. Relational qualities.
4. Church Staff
a. Pastoral staff.
b. Administrative staff.
c. Support staff.
d. Multi-staff ministry.
e. Vision.
5. Resources
a. Building/space.
b. A/V equipment.
c. Budget allocations.
d. Time.
e. Elementary school.
f. Radio/TV ministry.
g. Original music literature.
6. Purpose and Philosophy of Ministry
a. Desired outcome.
b. Worship style and practices.
c. Understanding of theology.
d. Philosophy of worship.
e. Church ministry emphasis.
f. Emphasis on evangelism.
7. Musical Resources – Spiritual
a. Spiritual condition of participants.
b. Spiritual condition of worship leaders.
c. Congregational engagement.
d. Spiritual appetite.
e. Biblical context of music literature.
f. Hunger for God.
g. Teachability.
h. Worship team’s attitude towards serving.
8. Musical Resources – Musicians
a. Players.
b. Skill level.
c. Number of bands.
d. Attitude.
e. Commitment to worship team.
f. Commitment to church ministry.
g. Training.
9. Musical Resources – Equipment
a. Instruments.
b. Lighting.
c. Sound system.
d. Livestream equipment.
17
e. Recording equipment.
f. Computers and latest music-related software.
g. Copy machines.
10. Other Factors
a. Annual Christian music festival.
b. The Christmas Carol – the musical.
18
Appendix II– Chosen Case Study
Case Study #2 - Vision Church, Chicago, IL
Vision Church is a large, mega congregation located in Chicago metroplex. The ministry
was chartered in January 1998. Average attendance at the Saturday night and three Sunday
morning services consistently runs between 5,800 and 6,000 people. Vision Church is an
influential fellowship totally committed to contemporary worship. They are known throughout
the region for their practical Bible teaching, innovative worship ministry, college outreach, and
commitment to meeting the social and spiritual needs of the needy, marginalized, and hurting.
The congregation meets in an old theatre that seats 2349 people and located in one of the
most affluent areas of the Chicago. The church leadership is committed to communicating the
gospel to THIS generation. This is best illustrated by their use of the most up-to-date technology,
sound system, video support, and innovative lighting available.
The church has a $15 million-dollar annual budget of which nearly $330,000 (2%) is
allocated to music and worship needs (not including salaries or media), 20% of the budget goes
to missions and other outreach ministries – equally divided by between foreign missions
endeavors and home town outreach initiatives.
The church leadership has spent considerable efforts in developing a sense of community
in the church. About 60% of the church membership is built on young married, highly mobile,
professionals under the age of 40 – and, with young children. As a result, the church has a very
large and successful children’s ministry, complete with a full time Director of Children’s
Ministry and two employees devoted to the leading of children’s worship.
19
About 15% of the church calls themselves college or singles. Consequently, they have a
large and growing ministry to the areas college students. Another 10.5% are teenagers. The youth
department includes a full time Director of Student Ministries and a Coordinator of Youth
Worship. There are only about 5% that call themselves senior adult. They do not have a very
active choir -- although they do meet for special events (Easter, July 4th, Thanksgiving, and
Christmas) and the result has been pleasing to everyone. The church has been able to tap into the
Chicago area theatre community and has developed a growing, highly respected drama ministry.
The pastor loves to integrate short, one-act plays, monologues, or reader’s theatre into the
services before his preaching.
The congregation enjoys good Bible teaching-preaching. They actively participate in the
worship services. While they are not necessarily affiliated with any particular denomination, they
do support missionary agencies, encourage teams to engage in short-term missionary trips, and
have included in their budget funding for ministries in Ukraine, Peru, Brazil, and Alaska. Two
years ago, the church helped sponsor a sister church in Moscow. Today, they totally support two
families in this ministry: a pastor and his wife; and, a worship pastor and his wife.
The church is theologically and socially conservative, passionate about God and country,
and totally committed to evangelism, revival, and worship. One might say that all of their
services are contemporary in nature. They have a strong emphasis on the sacraments,
participating in communion the first Sunday of every month.
While one would not necessarily call this church “multi-ethnic,” given that 75% of the
church is Caucasian, considerable effort has been made on the part of the church leadership to
reach out to the growing African American, Asian, and Latino com-munities. At present, about
15% of the church would identify themselves with a minority group of one kind or another. The
20
other ten percent are from Eastern Europe. These are mostly Russian speaking people that fled
the Soviet Union during the late 90’s and settled down in the Chicago area. Each week, the
church provides translators for this group. Once a month, the church provides a service, in
Russian, just for these displaced families.
In 2007, the church started a Christian elementary school. The school has been hugely
successful. Today, they have a kindergarten through 8th grade program. Next year, they expect to
enroll over 1000 students in their school. Long-term strategy is to add a grade per year until all
12 grades are represented. There are several excellent musicians teaching at the school that also
enjoy serving in the church. And, even the students that are involved school praise team help lead
the worship on the weekends – mostly on Saturday evening.
The pastor is a strong leader, a man of vision and lover of people. He was only 28 years
old when starting the church in 1998. He is married and has two teenage children. Although a
good student of the Bible, he is known and appreciated more for his pastoral skills than his
strong preaching. His ministry philosophy is very much focused on evangelism and worship. He
is theologically and politically conservative. And, he makes the voice of his people known at
strategic city, state, and national events. The pastor takes seriously his role as chief worship
leader. He wants the worship ministry (music, drama, technology, etc.) to connect with people.
He is constantly reminding the worship pastor “the people are more important than the songs.”
The pastor has his Doctor of Ministry degree from Grace Seminary in Winona Lake, IN.
He encourages his staff to pursue advanced degrees and attend special training seminars or
workshops. On occasion, he has taken opportunity to personally enroll and pay for his staff to
attend the training sessions at Willow Creek Church across town.
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The church staff reflects the dynamic of its membership. The executive pastoral staff
includes: the senior pastor, executive pastor, worship pastor, education pastor (who is also head-
master of the Christian school) and, evangelism and discipleship pastor. Other pastoral positions
include children’s pastor, student ministries pastor, single adult pastor, pastor of International
ministries, visitation pastor, social ministries director (heads up the drug rehab program), director
of drama ministry, media director, and women’s ministry director. In all, there are 15 full time
pastors, each with an administrative assistant. The pastoral staff is fully supportive of the pastor’s
vision to reach the Chicago community for Christ.
The church has a very active radio and television ministry. The four-person media staff is
also responsible to the Worship Pastor. A re-broadcast of the service is edited and sent to six
commercial outlets across the country each week, in addition to four cable venues serviced by
satellite hook – up. Most impressive is their on-line, live streaming ministry complete with
interactive video for those wanting counseling or additional information about the weekly
sermons. Because of its location in Chicago, it is estimated the weekly ministry reaches more
than 15 million people each week.
The church has new, state of the art sound and lighting equipment. The church invested
over $2.5 million dollars in lighting and sound equipment back in October. The media budget
($800,000) is not part of the worship ministry funding. The Executive Pastor oversees it. With
the exception of the four paid employees (under the Worship Pastor’s authority), all 28 media
personnel are volunteer.
While the auditorium (sanctuary) is not new, they have spent considerable time shaping it
into a facility that can meet the needs of their people. They have a wonderful education facility
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fully equipped with the latest technology (you name it, they got it) that doubles as space for the
Christian school.
The Purpose and Philosophy of Ministry is pretty much driven by the pastor’s desire for
evangelism and worship. This impacts everything. In the pastor’s eyes, everything secular has
implications for evangelism and everything sacred implies some type of worship.
The philosophy of worship is very straight forward: practical but contemporary worship
(meet people where they are); use those that are in the church; do everything with excellence;
place a high priority on teaching and training; use whatever tool necessary to win people to
Christ and, always be good stewards of the time and resources God provides for his people.
The worship teams assisting in music and worship on Sunday are specifically trained by
the worship pastor. For the most part, they are a group of godly men and women that have a
strong walk with the Lord, hunger for God, and commitment to congregational ministry. They
have weekly bible teaching and discipleship activities. All in all, they have captured the pastor’s
vision and love to serve.
The worship bands are keyboard driven. In reality, there are four bands that rotate
responsibility. Players include drummer, keyboard, lead guitar, acoustic guitar, percussion, bass,
and b-3 Hammond organ. The worship pastor works hard to build love and respect for each
other. They are a group of highly skilled players. These are primarily volunteers from the
community. Many are music teachers.
The vocalists are equally committed to the Lord. Four teams of six rotate in leading
worship. They practice three times outside of the Sunday worship times. So, it is a big
commitment when one decides to be part of the singing ministry. They also serve as a core
recording team when needing to create demos.
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One team is of Russian origin. They include a keyboardist, drummer, bassist, electric and
acoustic guitarists, percussionist and four singers. They are really good and handle all the
worship needs for the monthly Russian congregation.
Musical resources include new piano, keyboards, and drums. The worship pastors use a
balance between music published by major Christian music companies and literature written by
staff personnel. Of course, copy machines, computers, and appropriate media equipment are
available as needed, including computers and the latest in music related software.
One final aspect of the worship ministry, the church hosts an annual Christian music
festival. Last year, they brought in over 20 bands and artist type groups and reached nearly
40,000 people over a 15-day period.
Additionally, in an effort to reach the Chicago community for Christ, their drama ministry
provides an annual presentation of The Christmas Carol – the musical. It is a program that the
church staff wrote and produces. Area musicians (orchestra players) join with the Vision
musicians and drama team in making this one of the best annual productions in the area. This has
proved to be a very successful endeavor for the entire church family.
