THE METACHURCH PROJECT

The MetaChurch Project began in 1986 at a meeting of the American Society for Church Growth, in Pasadena, CA.  Carl George gave a speech at the Annual Meeting that was recorded and widely distributed in what today would be called a viral campaign.  The circulated cassette tapes created a demand for information about the MetaChurch Model, leading to the publication of "Prepare Your Church for the Future."  That book was on the most recommended reading list compiled by a leading magazine for church leaders, and became the defacto handbook for transferring learnings from Pastor David Cho's "Home Group System" into the American scene.  When elements of the model were implemented at Willow Creek Community Church, applications were multiplied across many congregations.

For several years, information from the MetaChurch Project was delivered exclusively by worshops and seminars.  Then books, including a second work "The Coming Church Revolution."  Most recently, a worshop was recorded and made available as a self study kit "The MetaChurch Workshop."

Insights from The MetaChurch Project continue to gain acceptance, as is apparent in the most recent book by Thom Ranier "Simple Church," published by LifeWay.  In that work, Dr Ranier asserts the end of the war between Sunday School classes and Small Groups.  "Simple Church" advances the concept that churchgoers should take part in a big meeting, a small meeting and a service team.  All programs maintain legitimacy to the extent that they facilitate the movement of members from large worship celebrations into small groups -- whether SS classes or home meetings.  With the favorable publication of these concepts within Southern Baptist circles, the Metachurch Project is seeing perhaps its ultimate expression.  "Big enough to Celebrate, Small enough to Care."