Two movements among Christian congregations in the U.S. today, churches with multiple locations (multisite) and leadership development (discipleship), continue to gain momentum as new innovations are being introduced. In addition, perhaps in an even newer development, a growing number of churches are intentionally developing a culture of generosity, an effort to help carry the gospel message outside the church, says the director of new media and technology for the Leadership Network.

"The multisite (one church, multiple locations) movement continues to gain momentum," Todd Rhoades, of Leadership Network, told The Christian Post via email. "We're seeing no slow down at all in the number of churches being involved in multisite ministry. In fact, we're seeing new waves of innovation in the movement itself: including international campuses, online campuses, the move from big cities to rural environments, and more churches partnering to redeem facilities and struggling churches through church mergers."

Rhoades, along with Leadership Nework, hosted a webcast conference on Tuesday called, Church Innovate North America. Guest speakers, which included pastors from around the country, spoke about multisite churches, leadership training, and generosity. more >>

A large Texas-based Episcopal congregation has announced that it exceeded its goal of $25 million for a capital campaign to fund the building and expansion of its facilities.

Church of the Incarnation of Dallas, the sixth largest Episcopal church in the United States, announced the total amount Sunday morning that resulted from their campaign, dubbed "Lift High The Cross."

Bishop Anthony Burton, Rector of The Church of the Incarnation, told a large crowd gathered just outside of the main sanctuary, "The Holy Spirit has been doing incredible things here and this morning marks an historic milestone. This capital campaign has been in planning for three years." more >>

The sixth largest Episcopal church in the United States will soon begin looking towards expanding its facilities to accommodate its growing Texas-based congregation.

The Church of the Incarnation of Dallas will be announcing Sunday the results of their capital building campaign, "Lift High the Cross", which is also the name of an early 20th century hymn.

The Incarnation's congregation has increased by 35 percent since 2008, with a regular attendance presently around 1,300, but expected to reach 2,000 within ten years. more >>

Correction Apended

A Florida Pastor who recently left the United Methodist Church has started up a new congregation at a beach bar so as to reach out to those uncomfortable with the traditional church setting.

Pastor Jack Kale oversaw the first prayer service for Central Waterside Church at Bimini Beach Bar in Hemingway on Sunday. The congregation is part of a megachurch based in Las Vegas. more >>

Prominent pastors Steven Furtick and Louie Giglio recently conveyed the importance of pastors maintaining humility when communicating God's message to a congregation, rather than focusing on their personal performance.

"I struggle with whether people like me, if people like my messages," Giglio, pastor of Passion City Church in Atlanta, Ga. and founder of the anti-slavery Passion Movement, told host Jeff Henderson during The Rocket Company's "Preach Better Sermons" web seminar, which aired Wednesday.

Giglio went on to share that he believes being a pastor can prove to be a dangerous recipe for any human being, as pastors often have so much attention focused on them. more >>

Well-known Christian leaders Louie Giglio, Ed Stetzer, and Mark Driscoll all encouraged pastors that the best way to communicate God's word to a congregation is to find one's own voice and preaching style, a skill which only comes from hours of practice and preparation, they said in a recent web seminar called "Preach Better Sermons" produced by The Rocket Company.

In a brief discussion with the online conference's host, Pastor Jeff Henderson of Gwinnett Church in Duluth, Ga., Pastor Louie Giglio encouraged novice pastors to practice their preaching style until they find personal perfection.

The most dangerous thing for a pastor to become, according to Giglio, is a replica of another pastor's preaching style, which could result in an ineffective, boring gospel being communicated to the congregation. more >>