WHY SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI?
Here are three reasons we are planting The Story Church in Springfield:
1) We love this community. Our hearts break for the broken lives and broken families of Springfield. We recognize we cannot single-handedly fix our community, but we believe we can be a catalyst for change by loving well the community where God has placed us. Just because we can’t do everything doesn’t mean we can’t do something. We look forward to joining with other churches and organizations that share our desire to bring heaven to earth just as Jesus prayed.
2) This community needs more Christ-centered churches. While it is true that Springfield is saturated with churches, some of them have focused on legalism and moralism. This has created a large population of “de-churched” people who are still open to Christ but skeptical of the church. Our answer is to come like Jesus, “in Grace and Truth.”
3) There are many people in Springfield who do not walk with Jesus. Over half of the population claims Christianity, yet 80% will not gather with a church on any given week.
Springfield, Missouri:
• Population: Metro Area contains 436,000 with 159,140 within the city limits
• Voted 100 Best Communities for Young People
• Voted Top 40 City for Quality of Life
• 8.5% workforce growth over the past two years
• Housing Costs 25% lower than the national average
• Ranks in the top 50 cities for hospital care and hosts six hospitals with the top two listed in the Top 100 in the U.S.
• Cost of living is 10% below the national average
• More than a dozen colleges and universities, enrolling a combined 43,000 students
A Religious Community
There are an abundance of church buildings and a highly religious culture in the city.
• Sixth on Barna Research Group’s list of the most biblically minded cities in the United States
• 56.2% of the population affiliated with a religious congregation
• Southern Baptists represent the largest proportion with 39% of adherents and 22.9% of congregations
• Birthplace of Assemblies of God denomination
But Religion is not the answer
Religion alone leaves mankind empty and lost. It often creates frustration and separation between the created and the Creator. This is evidenced in statistics and demographics regarding the city of Springfield. In many ways, the statistics indicate the culture is headed in the direction of decay, not spiritual and cultural renewal through the gospel. While Springfield has experienced decades of spiritual vitality, like many other cities, it is now beginning a slow transition toward secularism.
• Springfield is sometimes referred to as “the meth capital of the United States.” In 2011, there were 2,096 meth lab busts, making Springfield the nation’s leader for meth.
• Springfield is ranked second in the state of Missouri for child neglect/abuse.
• Springfield has a rate of violent crime that is more than double the national average with one violent crime occurring for every 151 residents.
The only answer to Springfield’s religion and irreligion is the good new of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.
