Benefits

for the Kingdom

The Advance of the Gospel and the Future of Rolling Hills

By Chris Nye
with
John Finnerty, Alex Landers, and Susie Faist
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
1) Preface: You must read this part first.
2) Introduction: A call to arms for the Church in America (specifically RHCC),
and the proposal statement.
3) “The Urgency of the Gospel”: How this proposal links to the mission of
Christ’s calling of his bride the church, and why this must happen now.
4) “Reaching this Generation”: The challenges seen in post-modern
evangelism and how the proposed effort will help RHCC reach young
adults.
5) “One Church, Many Expressions”: The challenge for RHCC to be one
church with both an urban and suburban campus and congregational
expression.
6) “The Importance of the City”: Why the city is such a crucial place to bring
the good news of Christ.
7) “The Necessity of Reaching Portland, Oregon”: An outline of Portland
verses Rolling Hills/Tualatin area.
8) “Two Cultures, One Church”: A vision for how two cultures can be both
edified and effected by one church body. And why Rolling Hills must be a
part of the proposed mission.
9) “The Downtown Campus”: The specific nature and the details behind the
vision for a Rolling Hills Downtown Campus. Government, location,
philosophy, and membership are all discussed in detail.
10) “Benefits for the Kingdom to the Glory of God”: The final plea for the
vision to see a type of fulfillment, and an outline for how this will benefit.
 1
PREFACE
“Seek ye first the Kingdom…”

I love Rolling Hills Community Church. And amidst the intense changes and
transitions that are about to take form, I wish to say that this church must push for
revolutionary change for Christ’s kingdom and not its own.

I am writing this only because I cannot run from it. I am Jonah. I would be totally
fine with not writing this. I am afraid of division, accusation, and pride. God hates
divorce and loves unity. I write this out of total respect and love for the unity of
Rolling Hills, and in order to make myself more clear, I must outline the following
before anything begins:

1) I love the Church. Beyond my love for Christ’s church, I love Rolling Hills
in specific. When I left the church to study in Seattle, I was completely
restless. This is not only home, but now work. It is soil. I am a gardener.
Planting seeds and assisting in their growth is a joy to me, and I thank Christ
verbally every Sunday for the privilege to pastor and preach, especially at
Rolling Hills. This church set me on a straight path and equipped me
theologically and emotionally to wrestle with my convictions in order to, in
the end, worship Jesus. God used this church to shape me. While in the end
I praise God and God alone for this effort, I know Rolling Hills was the
instrument for His glory. Because of this past, I believe the future of Rolling
Hills will be unconventional, innovative, and ultimately effective not for its
own glory, but the glory of God.
2) I love the Gospel. I know nothing more powerful, nothing more
transforming, and nothing as epic as the gospel of Jesus Christ. The story and
work of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus is more than a narrative. The
gospel is genius. There are no holes, no mistakes, but just paradoxes that
break down the fragile and weak human might. I deeply believe in the
power of the gospel for the salvation of souls and reconciliation to God.
Beyond this, I believe the gospel is not just for me. I believe it must be
preached and it must be proclaimed. It should be preached and proclaimed
above being explained or dissected. Christ brings life. Ultimately, we are
saved by the gospel, but in the end it is not about us, but rather the
furthering of God’s glory and His renown.
3) I love the lost. People are going to hell. This makes my heart heavy. We
have the gospel and we have the Church. The rescue operation for the death
of humanity is happening right now, and God chose me and God chose you
to proclaim the message of salvation to the darkest parts of humanity. We
have been empowered with the Holy Spirit and armed with the Word. I
have the deepest love for those who do not know, simply because of their
tremendous potential for the Kingdom of God and the glory of Christ.

Above all of these loves is Jesus, the King. This is my heart. I am praying that God
would smite the pride in me. There are not words for how conflicted I am, yet so
confident in the work of the Spirit. Forgive me and may we turn our eyes to Jesus.
 2
In addition, I must make clear that I am not in any way proposing this as a way to
liberally critique what is currently happening at Rolling Hills. I hope that the
following honestly and humbly represents that I am only pushing for change and
reform because I believe both are totally healthy and needed in God’s Church, and
specifically Rolling Hills.

I do not believe I am being disloyal, nor do I wish to be viewed that way because
of this step of faith. Instead, please see me as incredibly loyal and over zealous
about the original purposes of God’s Church and RHCC. I see incredible potential
and I do not believe proposing change is a sign of disloyalty or disunity.

I deeply believe in Rolling Hills and the people who stand by Christ through this
great church. I so deeply believe in this community, that I have faith that we can
make a monumental modification in order to bring about the greatest glory to God.

Once again, I love this church, I love the gospel, and I love the lost, but above all I
love King Jesus. I stand confidently in this vision, as well do four other young
people who call Rolling Hills their home. Together, we have prayed more than
ever – both individually and corporately – and have come to the conclusion that
this is what must be presented. Our only conflict is with how we are viewed. We
ask that whoever reads this to be slow to judge, speak, and/or scoff.

God must be given glory in all of this. Our God loves unity and hates divorce. So in
this, let us seek unity in God’s kingdom and his righteousness.

In utmost confidence and caution,

Chris Nye John Finnerty

Alex Landers Susie Faist

 3

INTRODUCTION
“Go, therefore…”

The first word of the Great Commission is “GO.” The word is a verb. In all of its
origins as an English/Anglo-Saxon word, it has always appeared as a verb. The
Great Commission’s first requirement is that we GO; we must move, innovate, and
travel. In fact, angels of God rebuked the first apostles for simply standing there
after watching Christ ascend into heaven.1 Furthermore, we are told to make
disciples, teach, and baptize. All verbs. It appears that there is no room for the
stagnant in the furthering of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Over the last century, the Church has lost this urgency for the world. Eternity is at
stake. Hell is real and millions are in need of rescue of the only remedy: Christ.
Slowly, churches are aging into museums instead of functioning as hubs for the
movement of the kingdom of God. Just travel or read about Europe. The churches
that paint the streets of the major cities are now subject to tourists and countless
students studying the historical art and architecture within the walls of the once
holy construction. The Church has moved from a movement to a museum.

And don’t think that this is only a European problem. While it may be most visible
in Western Europe, I will argue that if it weren’t for small circles of conservative
evangelicals, we would mirror the United Kingdom. This is a problem that, if not
acted against, could happen throughout every culture in the future, and America is
next. In fact, I would argue that this future is already happening in downtown
Portland.

The Church has lost it’s place in society, and what used to be a small movement
that affected a large culture, has slowly morphed into a massive movement that
does nothing about the culture it barely survives in. I do not think the Church does
not know her mission, but rather we simply made it a more comfortable mission.
More than ever, I now see an incredible need for the Church (specifically Rolling
Hills) to reform yet again and take a careful, Biblically orthodox look at where it is
and where it is going.

This document is not a suggestion on how the whole body can be fixed, but simply
a way one part of the body (Rolling Hills Community Church) can contribute to the
need of the furthering of the Gospel in a lost world.
It is my proposal, under the grace and providence of God, that Rolling
Hills Community Church ceases strategizing to bring the lost
(specifically younger peoples) into our Christian sub -
culture/community and begin moving into their lost communities,
specifically, working to plant a Rolling Hills community in the center
of Downtown Portland.

1
Acts 1:11
 4

THE URGENCY OF THE GOSPEL

“Men…why do you just stand there?”

From the moment the Son of God set foot on the earth he created, he was on the
move. The book of Mark records Jesus and his disciples constantly moving from
city to city and village to village preaching repentance and the kingdom of God. In
all of Jesus’ words, we can see through the Greek language and the English
punctuation that there was a sense of urgency to his message. People are dying to
their sin, falling from God, and worshipping idols. And they need a way to God.

Our pro po sa l i s not ju st th at of a se rvi ce or a Su nda y pr og ram, b ut r athe r o ne of a

missi o n to t he c ity o f P ortl an d with a p rog ram a nd me mbe rshi p a spe ct.

The campus would be a place where the word is proclaimed in addition to the
work administered. It would service as a sort of hub and center of activities.

At the genesis of the Church recorded in the book of Acts, Christ tells his apostles
that they will be “witnesses.” While the role of a witness in a courtroom may seem
quite passive (sitting on the stand and answering questions), God makes it clear to
us that his church is not to be stagnant, but a movement.

After Christ’s supernatural ascension into heaven, angels visit the apostles and tell
them to stop just “looking into the sky” because “the same Jesus who was taken up
from you into heaven, will come back in the same way…” Jesus is coming. People
are dying. We must be moving.

The Urgency of the Gospel and Mission

Mission was everything in the early church. The church everyone wants to be is the
early church and the description of it in Acts 2:42. However, before recognizing
how we get there, we should look at why they are “dedicating themselves” to
teaching, fellowship, prayer, etc. Why would a group of poor young men dedicate
themselves to this? It was mission. The apostles had a mission to go and make
disciples and be witnesses to the gospel. They had purpose and meaning.
Furthermore however, the men of the early church operated in the fear of the Lord.

In verse 43 of Acts 2, we learn that “fear came upon every soul.” These men were
put in a position where they were completely dependant on God. They were not
comfortable, they were panicked. The apostles were a part of a movement that was
started by a “blasphemous” rabbi who was crucified under Roman rule.

Why did these young men devote and dedicate themselves to such a cause as the
Kingdom of God? They needed to. They had nothing else. No buildings, no
programs, and even no congregation.
 5

The Need for Dependence

Rolling Hills needs to be dependant on God all the time. Over the last year, I have
tried to place myself in uncomfortable circumstances; circumstances that force me
to pray, repent, and place total faith into a God I cannot see.

I believe that when we get on mission, when we understand the urgency of a city
dying and the gospel restoring, or of resources and people being stretched beyond
what they could imagine, we will become a place of vast dependence on Christ
alone. I believe to do this we must constantly be reinventing our strategy.

Mission and Dependence Practically

This is all very vague and difficult to measure. How do we implement this into a
suburban congregation? I believe this means constantly reinventing our body. We
must never think we are doing everything right.

The other week, in an Extended Leadership Team meeting, I heard one of our
Pastors say, “I look at what we’re doing and I think, We’re doing pretty good, why
change?” I believe that in this idea could lead to the complete destruction of our
body. If we produce the same thing, we will produce the same results. Great things
are happening in this Church, but the minute we get comfortable, the minute
young people like myself stop rising up in faith with vision is when the body begins
to operate out of confidence in tradition rather than faith in vision.

To live every day in complete dependence of God means to be constantly placing

ourselves into risk; saturated in prayer and vision.

I found this to be biblically true when preaching through the book of Ruth this past
year. I found Naomi and Ruth incredibly dependant of God, but I had no idea why.
I found that it was because throughout the first three chapters, both Godly women
are in risky situations. They did not have to move out of Moab and back to
Bethlehem, but they obeyed God, going back to their home town with nothing but
the clothes on their back. Lo and behold, God became the providential provider.

Moving Missionally
Paul moved constantly (1 Corinthians 16:5-9) and instructed his churches with
steadfast instructions. Always encouraging them to press on and fight the good
fight. His letter to the Thessalonians, Galatians, and Corinthians shows the
importance of keeping the gospel on the move to the lost.

“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives
us the victory through Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm…Always give
yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is
not in vain.”
-1 Corinthians 15:56-58
 6

Paul (as well as other writers in the New Testament) always makes it clear that this
intensity to press on preaching Christ is not mustered up by their own devices, but
rather supplied by the very person they preach: Jesus Christ.

“We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may
present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which
so powerfully works in me.”
-Colossians 1:28-29

And because he never tires, this urgency of the gospel will always be there. People
are feeling the sting of death and they desperately need the victory of Jesus. The
question then is, how can we be most effective?
 7

REACHING THIS GENERATION

“One generation will commend your kingdom to one another…”

How did this happen? We hear reports that somewhere between 70 and 80 percent
of young people fall away from church when they move off the college. This has
been called many different things, but is agreed amongst evangelicals at large as
troubling. And it’s not just happening inside of Rolling Hills; it is an inclusive
problem that I see many churches struggling with. What do young people want?
While I would suggest that question is the wrong one, it is what runs through the
heads of those who experience the loss of seventy percent of young people in their
own church. What are we doing wrong? Why do they leave? Is there something
we’re missing? These questions are the first step in understanding the nature of the
seventy percent.

Recognition: National
It must be first recognized that this problem is occurring. First, on a national scale,
and secondly on a local scale it must come to the attention of church leaders that
college students and young adults are simply disassociating themselves with any
form of organized Christian spirituality. They feel as though they do not need it.
Furthermore, during the beginning stages of independence, twentysomethings feel
a need to explore and experiment with their newfound freedom. They try different
religions, philosophies, and substances in their years. The church at large cannot
simply wait for these “experimenting twentysomethings” to grow up, mature, have
kids, and come back to church after they realize their life actually means
something. These young people make significant life decisions that determine
patterns and preferences of their spiritual reality. The church cannot sit on the
sidelines during this stage of life. In fact, I argue that the church should be most
aggressive towards these individuals.

The Barna Group from Ventura, California has conducted staggering research on
this age group in the U.S. and their involvement in church and personal faith. They
came up with the number that only “one-fifth (20%) of twentysomethings have
maintained a level of spiritual activity consistent with their high school
experiences.”1 This leaves 80% of young people drifting away from church after
high school. Furthermore, these young people are sometimes starting families in
their early twenties. The Barna Group also pointed out that only one-third of these
twentysomething parents regularly take their children to church, compared to the
two-fifths of parents in their thirties and half of parents 40 years and older. So the
local church must offer an environment for these people.

Recognition: Local
Our own church body is losing young people as well. In the most recent survey
provided by J. David Schmidt & Associates, it was reported that we diminished
almost 10% in young singles in our congregation since 2000. While most of the
1
The Barna Group, “The Barna Update: September 11, 2006.” www.barna.org
 8

singles got married, it is now evident that RHCC is not constantly tapping into the
young singles ages 19-29. The percentage has always been low, but now it is
shrinking. What further worries me is that our median age keeps growing. This
means that we are servicing the same people, instead of constantly reaching new
young people.

Young people are important because in order to “form” these focused followers, we
must plant the seed young so that they can grow old in our body and become
influencers in the local church and, more importantly, the community.

Reaction: Strategy
Rolling Hills has been playing with a response to this problem for years. Within this
proposal, I hope to provide insight into a solution to this problem.

Over the last 10 years, there have been countless efforts to provide some sort of
program or ministry to bring young people in. We have tried a college ministry
over and over again and it has failed repeatedly. We have to think about ministry to
young adults in a totally new way.

While I was studying in Seattle, I heard a forum on Cancer Research at the

University of Washington. At this lecture, the prominent doctor said something
staggering. He said that all the research for cancer that is happening right now will
never cure the disease. We will prevent it and fight it off, but in order to eliminate
cancer entirely, someone has to come along and completely rethink how to cure
cancer. It must be a totally new idea, they have to think about it at a new angle.

I believe that is where we are with young adult ministry right now. We have tried
and tried to make something where we bring them into our church.

My proposal is that we go to them.

In the section entitled, “The Necessity of Reaching Portland, Oregon,” I have

outlined the statistics of where young people are: Portland verses Tualatin. The
statistics are not surprising, but they lead me to believe that our idea of trying to
pull the un-churched youth into a churched suburban community is somewhat
ludicrous (especially since it has failed numerous times).

With Portland State, Portland Community College, Lewis & Clark, Pacific
Northwest College of Arts, a brand new University of Oregon campus opening in
the fall1, and not to mention the thousands of young professionals that live in the
city, there will be an overwhelming harvest in the downtown area of Portland. The
Scriptures are becoming all the more real: “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers
are few.” Will Rolling Hills stand up in faith to work the harvest of the thousands
upon thousands of lost young people in Portland?

1
http://pdx.uoregon.edu/index.php?p=about/about. Also, please note there are several other colleges in the
downtown area of Portland, OR.
 9

Reaction: Philosophy
This generation has been called many things; I thought a pastor in Seattle coined
the most interesting one. He says that this generation is a “joiner” generation. They
love to belong to something before they believe in anything, as Pastor Mark Began
has said before.

Ask any youth in America, or any youth pastor, young people want to feel like they
are a part of something and that they are valued and challenged by peers.
Relational ministry is needed in this age. Currently, this is very difficult to do in a
church with 9% young singles. Therefore, creating a new community that supports
the young urban life and places Christ at the center would be perfect.

Because most of the members of this downtown campus would live in the
downtown community, this would provide a completely new way for Rolling Hills
to reach the world. We would adapt the same philosophy of people first and apply
it to the downtown area. A building would help center and identify this, but it
would also be evident with the congregation roaming the streets of the lost city,
living missional, gospel centered, and Holy Spirit-driven lives.
 10

ONE CHURCH, MANY EXPRESSIONS

“…to the Jew I became like the Jew…”

Over the centuries of Christian expressions through the Church, we have seen vast
arrays of expressions in worship. Closer to home, as I have mentioned before, we
see suburban and urban churches. We see small churches and large churches. But
what if Rolling Hills could reflect the diversity of God’s children just within 20
miles? Because in all actuality, Rolling Hills is an expression of a culture that
worships the God of the Bible and his Son Christ.

Even within Rolling Hills we see different expressions of youth, children’s, singles,
families, and so much more. But I believe the body of Christ is much bigger. The
body goes past race, class, and social status. What if a suburban church could
begin to express itself in many different forms?

Why Start in the City?

I will outline the importance of reaching the city later (starting on page 11).

Different Expressions in the First Century

This is true for Paul and the early church. We notice that Paul planted in multiple
major cities that were completely different culturally. Each church had different
expressions of their own culture and worship to Jesus. We see this in the problems
they had. The Galatians had different problems than the Corinthians, and suburban
churches have different problems than the urban churches. This is all because they
have different issues to address within the Kingdom of God.

I believe that this is a healthy and beautiful illustration of God’s redemptive work.
What if the same church could rejoice in the homeless homosexual and the
staunch skeptical suburban businessman coming to Jesus? Such examples would
not just edify the body, but also bring the greatest glory to God.

Why different expressions?

We must begin to invest in the kingdom and not Rolling Hills. No matter what,
within 200 years, it is most likely that no one will know who any of us are. But it is
promised that they will know who Jesus Christ is. Therefore, because of this and
because of the our Biblical call, the soil we work on should never be the legacy of
Rolling Hills, but the legacy of Christ. The best way to do this is to open our
Church and spread amongst multiple races, classes, and cultures. The city is the
perfect place to begin.
 11

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CITY

“…in Jerusalem, Judea…and to the ends of the earth…”

In 1950, New York was the only city in the world with a population of over 10
million people. Now, just half of a century later, there are over twenty such cities,
twelve of which have passed the 10 million person mark in the last ten years. There
is no doubt that we are, just like the early 20th century, seeing staggering evidence
of what is called, “urbanization;” more people in more cities.

The Meaning of the City

I believe that God created cities in order to draw out resources of his creation and
thus build his kingdom through his children. He uses them to gather his children
together. We see the biblical narrative begin in a perfect garden (Eden), but end in
a restored city (The New Jerusalem). The city is obviously something of God and
not something of human creation. The New Jerusalem was in God’s plan before he
created the world and we see our purpose with an urban end!

What Cities Do
Cities develop culture. They drive and foster what is new, cool, and relevant. Cities
draw together overwhelming human talent and resources that bring out human
potential like nothing else.

How Cities Create Culture

1. The city has been a refuge for the weak. Just walking the streets of the city verses
the suburbs shows you that it is a place that houses “the least of these.” This has
always been true and will always be true, especially in America. Even when Christ
walked the earth, most of the lame and injured he healed were in the cities. And
today, people such as the homeless, new immigrants, the poor, and those of
different lifestyles seek the refuge of the diversity of the city. You can blend in. The
density and development of the city breeds its diversity. Generally, the middle-class
views the city as hostile. However, if one finds themselves not part of the dominant
middle-class, such as the poor or minorities, they have an easier time making a
move to the city as opposed to the suburbs.
2. The city has been a cultural development center. Look at the wicked city of
Babylon. We see, even there, a place that draws out resources of the human.
Revelation 18 shows the city as a place of music and art (v.22), trade (v. 23),
technological advance (v. 23a), and family building (v. 23). Furthermore, we are
told that prophets blood will be found in the city, seeing that God will plant
missionaries and prophets in the world’s cities.

The Sin of the City and the Power of the Gospel

Because the city is so diverse and so intensely filled with human diversity, there is
much sin seen in the city. In the city, your views are challenged, and your
worldview is put into the perspective of many others. This type of lifestyle becomes
very self-focused and leads to the mother of all our sins, as Augustine would say,
pride.
 12

The suburbs hold different types of sin. Because of its robust familial population
and rich residents, many of the sins that haunt the suburbs are sometimes more
hidden. Due to the visible nature of sin in the city (prostitution, drugs, etc), the
church must be all the more visible as a beacon of light; we should be the city on a
hill, within the city.

Also, the city as a refuge can be viewed as not only a refuge from persecution but
also from God and his law. Some cities can be built like Babel, on human defiance
of God and giving glory to themselves and not God.

This spiritual restlessness makes the city a breeding ground for cults and extremist
religious groups. Every city worships some god. Cities should be the home to the
best ministries, theological resources, and churches. However, Protestant Christians
have recently been abandoning the city and therefore making it easier for the city
to follow and worship their false god. Because of God’s design of the city, this can
be used for both good or bad. When used for good, we see intense growth and
impacting ministry, but when left to our own devices, idolatry is enhanced. This
was the fate of the Enlightenment.

Cities need to be the place for the new vision of the Christian church.

So sin arises and the city is always seen as a dark land filled with sinners of the
worst sins. In understanding this parallel to the understanding of the urgency of the
gospel, we can conclude that the city should be of first importance for missionary
activity. If we plant the message of the gospel to the heartland of the broken, there
could be massive repentance on a large scale.

The Reason for City Ministry

So the city goes, to the culture goes, and so the village goes, and so the world.

1. Cultural cruciality: In the suburbs, you can win an individual, say a doctor. But if
you want to win the medical community to Jesus, you need to go to the city where
there are medical schools, publishing medical journals, and advanced hospitals
where research and development is taking place.
2. Global cruciality: In the suburbs, it is easy to reach the middle-class or one
specific people group. In the city, you can spread the gospel across numerous
ethnic groups and languages at one time. They then become mini-missionaries to
their own cultures and families.
3. Personal cruciality: The suburbs are home to very stable and comfortable
lifestyles. They are wary of major change. Because of the pace and diversity of the
city, urbanites are very open to new ideas, even the gospel!
Historical proof. By the year 300 AD, 50% of the urban populations of the Roman
empire were Christian, while over 90% of the countryside was still pagan. (The
word “pagan” comes from the Greek word paganus which refers to a farmer or
man of the country). Because early Christians like Paul captured the cities, they
were able to win entire societies.
 13

The Strategy of Paul

It is important to note Paul’s (and other apostles and early church planters) church
planting philosophy seen in his (and their) missional journey.

At the ascension of Christ in Acts 1, the apostles were told to be witnesses in

Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and all of the earth. He gave them the cities to begin in.
He told them to start in cities and go outward. But how? That’s my question. Jesus
never told them to specifically plant churches or fellowships, but in the outpouring
of the Spirit and the birth of the Church, the apostles became radical reformers.

In the apostle’s early traveling ministry, they tackled the Israeli coast and stopped at
every major city. The apostles did not plant in the rural areas but in the bustle of
the city. They did this because they new that as the city went, so the culture went.
They were interested in making a large impact, and it was through the cities that it
would be possible.

Paul’s four missionary journeys show incredible proof of the city planting strategy.

Paul’s second missionary journey

http://www.bible.org/assets/netbible/jp2.jpg
 14

Paul’s Fourth Missionary Journey

http://www.bible.org/assets/netbible/jp3.jpg

Furthermore we see Paul pay most attention to these churches by his letters. Paul
wrote large cities such as Caesarea, Philippi and Corinth. These churches were of
most importance because Paul understood the impact of the city and I would say
that the massive growth of the first century church had a lot to do with urban
central planning.

Therefore, planting at the center of the city and working outward to the villages
could prove to be of massive success in winning the lost.

Both City and Suburb

But Paul did not ignore the village. In his letters, we see that Paul had both urban
and village churches. His city churches were large with formed governments and
leaders while his village churches were held in houses (1 Corinthians 16:19-20).

This shows a potentially exciting model for today’s modern church. We have
thriving suburbs and large cities. Rolling Hills began ministering to the “village.”
But what if they could also plant an influential and innovative gospel-centered
urban campus. Then, one church could minister to the lost of the city and the
suburb. We have a city only twenty minutes away. Communication could be made
constantly and freely and the gospel could go further than we could ever imagine.

In addition, Paul did not have as many resources or as much freedom as the Lord
has blessed the American church with today. The possibilities are much larger. And
to those who have been given much, much is expected.1
1
A portion of this section was adapted from Tim Keller’s “The Importance of City Ministry.”
 15

THE NECESSITY OF REACHING PORTLAND OREGON

“The Son of Man has not come for the righteous, but the unrighteous…”

In our understanding of the crucial nature of reaching cities, we can only think of
Portland as the most accessible mission field. These concepts can be easily put into
perspective of our home state. Oregon is the most un-churched state in the Union.
Portland, in specific, is the most un-churched city in America, and even
furthermore, the Northwest is the most un-churched region in the United States.
We are living in the most unsaved region of America and it is the time to make an
incredible effort for these lost cities.

Portland is Un-Churched
The latest studies of the Christian church’s presence in the Portland area are
frightening. Often we hear about being the most “un-churched state,” but that
includes Mormon and Catholic churches. A more staggering statistic was
conducted by Glenmary institute saying that there are only 1.34% Presbyterian
church goers in Portland and only 0.58% non-denominational Christians.1 With
these low Christian numbers, we can see that the city is more than just un-
churched, it has been de-Christianized.

Furthermore, with the growing young person population in Portland, 35% of them
claim no affiliation with any faith system (NOTE: the U.S. average of this claim is
7%).2 They are simply floating in agnosticism or atheism.

Portland is Growing
Portland has always been a slow-paced, somewhat small city rich with character
and expression. But growing housing costs and lifestyle restriction such as gay-
marriage is leading people to the temperate, low-costing, and liberal region of
Portland, Oregon. It is a progressive city by many standards.

Each year the census grows dramatically. According to the U.S. census reported in
2003, Portland is growing by almost 10% every ten years, and the state of Oregon
grows by over 20% in the same amount of time. Furthermore, of people moving
into households in the Portland city limits, 56% of them had moved there in the
last five years. People are coming to this state quickly, and in large numbers.3

Even more so, the University of Oregon plans to open its new Downtown Portland
Campus this fall right off of the Burnside Bridge. This will add thousands to the
downtown population every school year.

1
Glenmary Research Center. Cincinnati, OH
2
U.S. Census Bureau, 2005 American Community Survey; ePodunk
3
Ibid.
 16

Portland is Young
The national problem that faces the evangelical church today is the problem of
reaching young people. There seems to be no formula or “right way” to do it.
However, I am beginning to see that reaching young people is not about creating a
great new program to try and draw them out of their culture into ours, but to move
us to them. With Tualatin being predominately families, our strategy then should be
to find where the most young people are, and move in with them, showing them
the way of Christ.
In the Portland area, 34% of people have never been married. In Tualatin, 52% of
people are married and most of those with families. In the Tualatin-Tigard-
Wilsonville area, there are roughly 6,000 persons between the ages of 16-24. In
Portland, there are 41,000 in that same age range. Of those in that age range, 98%
are unmarried.4

Beyond this, the city of Portland is home to Portland State University, the largest
state school in all of Oregon with close to 25,000 students with the median age
being 23.5 Plus, the above mentioned U of O campus will bring much larger
numbers. Tualatin has no colleges and a low number of single students living in the
area. Young people flock to the city to find acceptance and excitement. While the
village has much to offer in religious contexts, little is offered for entertainment and
education; two things that are of great importance to the young person. Instead of
trying to get them out of what they know (their culture) the church should get back
to its roots of stretching out in faith and meeting people where they are doing life.

With Portland’s vast young population and collegiate prominence, people are open
to new ideas. And with the resurgence of positive living for the environment (Al
Gore, Fast Food Nation, etc) and social justice (Bono, AIDS relief, Darfur, etc.), the
church has an opportunity that may never come again. This can be a time where
the church is not behind the clock, but moving with the culture and putting Jesus
Christ is the center of everything instead of Bono and Al Gore.

This can be done because people are consciously thinking about living and
purpose. And helping the environment is not bad, nor is helping Darfur, but the
church has the possibility to put Jesus at the center as to why we are doing that.

I believe the only way to do this is the biblical way of the local church. We cannot
minister by simply driving 20 miles every week to feed homeless people. It is time
some to rise up in faith and come alongside a hurting and lost culture.

Rolling Hills is Churched

I believe that one major reason the Church of God exists it to reach the lost. In
evaluating Rolling Hills on whether I needed to write this proposal or not, I found
some staggering statistics.

4
U.S. Census Bureau, 2005 American Community Survey; ePodunk
5
www.pdx.edu
 17

The most recent survey in 2007 compiled by J. David Schmidt & Associates
showed that as a church, Rolling Hills is struggling to reach the lost
congregationally.

The survey shows that a remarkable 87% of our current congregation already
decided to follow Jesus before ever coming to Rolling Hills. This means that we are
not reaching the lost, but rather getting people from other churches or Christian
backgrounds. So in the end, we are doing really well in equipping the saints, but
failing at reaching lost people for Jesus. Our church is predominantly churched and
Christian. Furthermore, our teaching is geared to this group with series’ on
correcting church issues and starting spiritual disciplines. These are very Christian
concepts but have little relevance to the lost. In order to truly reach the lost, my
proposal (once again) is not to try and attract them, but to try and go to them,
preaching and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ with no reservations.

Rolling Hills is Shrinking

While the survey showed many aspects of the church, the one that is simply not
ignorable it that our numbers, in general, are down. People are not tithing, they are
going to other churches, and finding new spiritual fulfillment.

Our Adult Ministries is doing quite well, and I do not mean to say that we are
shrinking at an intense rate with terrible consequences. However, I will say that it is
clear that our young adult congregation is shrinking more and more. This is an
urgent issue. We have even seen many young staff members leave to pursue other
churches. I believe that right now there is a solid group of young people that have a
vision who are fiercely committed to Rolling Hills. I also believe that this church
may not see this type of opportunity ever again.

Rolling Hills is Older

In the 2007 survey, it was reported that 85% of our congregation has known Christ
as Savior for 11 or more years. This is very telling. Furthermore, the median age at
Rolling Hills is 40-48.

Young people love their own kind because they love to blend in. On any given
Sunday, or in any community group at RHCC, a young person sticks out. Young
people are very communal, and wish to belong before they believe or behave.
They want to feel like they are at home.

I want to be clear, we should not change what Rolling Hills is doing in the suburbs.
By the survey, we are reaching young families and old individuals/couples.
However, as the Bride of Christ, we must reach the lost and the young. Therefore,
the best idea is to create a new expression of Rolling Hills – a young and urban
expression.
 18

TWO CULTURES, ONE CHURCH

“There is no Jew or Greek…slave or free…”

Growing up in the city and going to church in the suburbs gave me specific insight
which I believe will be beneficial in this proposal. I saw two kinds of living: the fast
pace of the city, and the comfortable ease of the suburbs. Both need Christ. In
being so busy, we forget to slow down and make ourselves some time, but if we
have everything at our fingertips by just going down Tualatin Sherwood Road, we
forget about “the least of these.” Both of these lifestyles are home to specific people
groups of vastly different cultures.

In my experience, I see that the local church only ministers to one of these
lifestyles/people groups. You either see an urban church or a suburban church. The
urban church is downtown and works vigorously for social issues within a small
congregation. The suburban churches are larger and minister to families with rich
theology and a focus on worship. Both are wonderful displays of the kingdom of
God. Each group ministers to the lost and equips the chosen while doing their best
to glorify God. However, amidst this dichotomy, I am thinking about this question.

What if one local church could minister to both the city and the suburb?
Furthermore, why are we just ministering to the city? Or, why are we just
ministering to the suburbs? Both groups of people must be reached and equipped.

With the resources of Rolling Hills, I not only see this as possible, but profitable to
the Kingdom of God.

Why Rolling Hills? Why not another suburban church?

In my understanding, Rolling Hills began as an experiment to see how God could

change an area by the gospel of Christ. Many have come to know Jesus through the
humble efforts of Rolling Hills. But at the end of the day, it is not about Rolling
Hills. It never has been, and it never will be. Rolling Hills is an instrument. It’s
about Jesus saving the world.

Rolling Hills is an extraordinary instrument. Much has been given to Rolling Hills
and much is expected. With the urgent call of the gospel and the cure for death in
our hearts, I see no better, more experienced church than Rolling Hills to carry out
the message of the gospel to the city as well as the suburbs. The experience
brought to the table by the numerous pastors and directors will be essential.

Furthermore, this church’s robust theological nature and compassionate

congregation leads me to believe that this operation will be impossible RHCC. The
church knows how to talk about Jesus and how to love people. Also, the young
people at Rolling Hills right now are ready for action.
 19

The Genesis of Rolling Hills and the Vision for the Downtown Campus
When praying and thinking about the potential of Rolling Hills building out rather
than up, I realized I was thinking just as Pastor Dale and the founding families were
thinking. They were thinking BIG. Why? Because they were serving a big God. I
realized after Luis’ sermon at the Men’s Conference from John 14, that I have not
been praying great prayers. I realized that I was praying for what was possible. But
God is a God of the impossible, and I believe he wants us to pray for huge things to
be done. I find myself often praying for things I can accomplish all by myself.
When Pastor Dale was praying for the church that now holds 3,000 people, he was
not praying small prayers. This is the same way I think about this idea. I see God
doing great things in our ultimate dependence on him.

I think that when the whole of the congregation (not just some of them) are put in a
position where the only way out is through the grace of God, people start taking
leadership and rising up in faith.

This idea is ludicrous. It is unrealistic. It is impossible. Considering the position that

Rolling Hills is in now with debt and transition, this seems absurd for me to even
propose in such length. Yet this will not let go of me, and I believe that this change
and dream and vision is exactly what the church needs in order to bring new life to
the body for years to come!

I believe in a God who can conquer – because that is the gospel of my life. I have
no way of getting to God. Reaching him is an impossible feat for a sinful human, an
effort that is not worth attempting. But God, who is rich in mercy and grace, has
provided his Son Christ as an atoning and justifying sacrifice in order to bring me to
Himself. What a God! That is my God! My faith, now, must operate in the power
that raised Christ from the dead and brought the sinner to life!
 20

THE DOWNTOWN CAMPUS

“…he came to the city, as he did often…”

My proposal is not a separate church, but a new expression of Rolling Hills: a

missional hub for the work of the kingdom in the city of Portland. Because of what
has been stated earlier, and with the knowledge of our vast resources, Rolling Hills
should plant a downtown campus.

The details of this endeavor are completely negotiable, and it would be my

preference that the finer points be talked about and reasoned with wisdom and
discernment. What follows, is the vision of four young people who are earnestly
seeking the Lord and his kingdom. Four young people who are fiercely committed
to the truth of the Bible and the validity of the Spirit of God. Furthermore, we all
deeply love Rolling Hills for what it does for this kingdom. This vision is one that
comes out of much prayer and thought. Once again, writing this has been a
struggle, for I do not want to be called a traitor or viewed as disloyal, but rather
very loyal to the dream of Rolling Hills to form focused faithful followers of Jesus
Christ. Here, then, is the one vision that has been given to four different young
individuals, all active members and/or staff of Rolling Hills Community Church.

1. Government
The new campus would be under the existing elder board of Rolling Hills
Community Church, with one of those elders paying specific pastoral and
administrative attention to the Downtown Campus. The staff of the Downtown
Campus would have independent creative control but submit not just to the one
Downtown Elder, but also the mission of Rolling Hills and the elder board.
However, it must be noted that the needs of a Downtown congregation will be
much different than that of the Suburban congregation. Therefore, the staff at the
Downtown Campus would most likely have very different events and preaching
schedules, and in the end would be independent creatively.

There would have to be a separate preacher for the Downtown location as well as
many other positions as need comes to be. I believe, due to the vision I have, my
spiritual gifts, and my complete love for God’s Word in the city, I should be the
preacher for this new campus. This, of course, must be approved by the leadership
and elders, however I want to communicate my passion and willingness to serve.
Women’s director, creative pastor, worship pastor, administrators. Many of these
positions can be unpaid at the genesis of the campus. We will all have to sacrifice.
Which is exactly why this could be so God honoring.

2. Location
It is important that the location of the Downtown Campus (DTC) is not overlooked.
However, in the city, location is incredibly crucial in city ministry as well as youth
ministry. In downtown Portland right now, there are many buildings available to
lease. Currently, the market is not as competitive in the past
 21

and the retail business is drowning due to the state of the economy. On the other
hand, Portland is being developed rapidly. The downtown area alone is going
through a massive overhaul including tons of new housing (to fit the population
rise) and a brand new University of Oregon Campus right off the Burnside Bridge.
There is an opportunity in the realty market right now that will most likely never
come again. We have about three buildings right now that are incredibly exciting.

But why a building right now? Again, while it does not seem essential, the more
vision that is given to myself and others, there seems to be incredible possibilities
for ministry in the city with a functioning building. Again, people are enslaved to
their sin and suffering in the city, the sooner we can bring a building about, the
sooner work like the following can happen:
Community development: Firstly, because we are not planting a service, but
more so a mission, the building would serve seven days a week for multiple ideas
as the hands and feet of Christ. The idea of development is that we would use the
building for needs of the community that Jesus calls us to: Provide for the least of
these. In other words, food for the hungry, clothes for the naked, and so on. The
possibilities for this are endless and include but are not limited to: food kitchen,
café, clothing exchange, dormitory, etc. So many people do not use what they
have. With the DTC, we could more easily foster our congregations giving to the
downtown area. Instead of holding “clothing drives” or “food drives,” whenever
you have extra, you can just give to the DTC.
Community enrichment: The idea of enriching the community would be
mainly in the arts. Portland is currently a hotbed for culture, we are beginning to
see many new bands, artists, and authors coming out of the Portland city area. I
believe that having a building to host and promote Christian, Holy Spirit driven
artists would do wonders for the community, and ultimately the entire culture.
Community involvement: In both of these, the DTC would be an
unmistakable and un-ignorable in the community. With a central location and a
main building in the middle of the city, people would not be able to ignore the
word of Christ: in our word (Sunday service proclamation) and in our deed (serving
the community through the week). The DTC will have constant involvement. This
will help us being more relationally evangelistic.
Start with a bang: A major plus to having a building would be starting off
with a bang. I believe in city ministry, and in this visual age, it is essential to begin
with a statement. Especially with these resources we have, there is an incredible
potential to launch the DTC with a bang. There are small gatherings of Christians in
the downtown area that are somewhat hidden. I don’t see signs, I rarely hear about
them and they have mediocre attendance and involvement. When visiting them, I
found a stale location of a service, instead of a thriving center for the mission of the
gospel of Christ.

Currently, I have looked at several options for the DTC. One particular building
has created much interest simply due to its location and potential. The building is a
run down old nightclub and has three levels for potential dormitories and/or
 22

offices. It lands on 12th and Burnside, the dividing line of the Pearl District and
Downtown. Burnside is the main street of Portland, making a border between the
rich and the poor, the haves and the have-nots. This particular location is truly in
the center of the city. I cannot imagine better use of it than to fly the flag of the
church and the Lord Christ in the middle of the lost streets of Portland. More than
just a Sunday service, but a place where the hands, feet, and mouth of God can be
experienced.

3. Philosophy
The philosophy of the DTC would be that of Rolling Hills, but most likely
expressed in different forms, as it is reaching a different culture. When
brainstorming about this idea, myself and the others unanimously agreed that the
DTC would be built on the same ideals, standards, and theology as when the
founding families first started RHCC.

Teach: Preaching would be a regular thing happening every Sunday at our (most
likely) evening program. However, as stated by Rolling Hills, teaching is not just
done of Sunday. Because of the area and the academic interest, the church could
be a hotbed for discussion and lectures. Professors from Multnomah Bible College
or Western Seminary could come in on weekday nights. Authors and poets with
rich theological and faith-based literature could come and speak. Of course, with
Dale’s rich gift of knowledge, there is no way we could not hear from him on
topics such as evolution, atheism, and other hot subjects. With PSU’s 25,000
member student body, I am sure we could provide an excellent opportunity to
teach and preach God’s total truth.
Reach: This would be the most important piece of the philosophy of the DTC. As it
has been expressed with great passion before, thousands of people are dying in
their sin in the city. We see it just driving up Burnside; there is so much hurt, and
so much pain, yet so much opportunity for the Spirit to work through the
administration of the Gospel. The city needs simple things like food, but more so
Portland must be reached by the hands and feet of Jesus. We must be the city on a
hill and a light for those in darkness. The Downtown Campus has exciting potential
to reach those in the city.
Exalt: With worship being the epicenter of the human being, this would be a major
priority in the philosophy of the campus. Not only would we worship in song,
together on Sunday evening, but we would also teach about what exalt really is.
We must live lives that exalt the Lord Christ. It will be vital to implement this into
our leaders from the beginning of the mission.
Equip: This is the most exciting piece about ministry and the Portland area. The
idea that a group of Christians could equip the culture and the city is invigorating.
We would begin with a solid set of leadership, including one elder from RHCC,
and would start from the very beginning building up leaders within the
congregation. How exciting would it be to see tons of new converts being trained
 23

to be Christian leaders? Then, the church could be responsible for countless

Christian leaders in their respective professions. The gospel would be on the move.
Support: I would love to see the same type of fellowship that occurs at Rolling
Hills to occur at the DTC. I love that when a new pastor comes in to town, there
are over 15 people there waiting to help him move in. I love that when people are
sick, we pray for them, and when we get really large numerically, we break down
into our backbone of small groups. Also, I feel like with this aspect of Support, we
could do what so many organizations do not do downtown: connect the hurting
and the downcast with a positive community who know Christ as Savior. This is the
job of the local church. Help rescue to hurting, and connect them with a
community. I believe that simply being located in the city could provide many
more opportunities. We could support the culture we exist in like the arts, music,
and literature. The DTC could be a landmark for the support and love of the city,
rather than its condemnation.

Ultimately, we will wish to form focused, faithful followers of Jesus Christ in the city
of Portland.

4. Membership
Membership is probably the most important aspect of the idea of a new campus.
Without membership, this is simply a homeless shelter or a community center. This
proposal is not for anything like that. We are confident in the idea of the local
church and that is what we are proposing. Without the congregation, this idea is
just another center for community help. Again, this is not that, this is the Church.
The gospel will be preached, the lost will be baptized, and Christ will be
worshipped by the congregation, staff, and covenantal members.

Process of Membership: We will operate off of the same LD model that RHCC
sticks to. However, due to the nature of city ministry, we would have to have an
element of the elementary class (101) that speaks of mission and the city of
Portland, as that is where these members will be ministering and most likely, living.

Purpose of Membership: Each member would be held to the mission of the DTC:
they must be on board to help form focused faithful followers of Jesus Christ in the
Downtown Portland area. Furthermore, these members will be evaluated not on
their commitment to the programs, but commitment to the mission of Rolling Hills
in the city. Members would be the backbone of the operation. They would faithful
come to the Sunday programs, volunteer at the mid-week events, and most
importantly – spread the Word! Both of the gospel and the church. Furthermore, as
the congregation grows, so would small groups throughout the city as well as
volunteer run ministries within the church body.
 24

BENEFITS FOR THE KINGDOM TO THE GLORY OF GOD

“Worthy are you God, to receive glory, honor, and power…”

This is not another proposal from a passionate minister of the gospel from outside
of our body. This is from the hearts of young people who are dedicated to the
gospel, who are weaved into the very fabric of Rolling Hills. This idea is not an
outside plant, but rather the very DNA of RHCC being infused into the downtown
culture to bring the greatest impact to the city. This is Rolling Hills’ philosophy,
theology, and purpose being flushed out into the city culture in order to show
people a God and his church able to express herself across cultural boundaries.
This is not the efforts of missionaries, but members of the body asking the church to
all be missionaries.

The Benefit of the City

I hope I have outlined the incredible benefits that a local church can bring to a
dying city. The church brings the light of Christ to people in darkness. When I walk
through downtown, I see the pain of slavery. I cannot get out of my mind the
change that could be seen if these people would just have a community where
Christ was the center instead of humanitarian effort or social justice.

The city would see physical change as well. With a church in the middle of the
city, there would be help for volunteer efforts all over. Beyond this, people who
need physical and tangible help could receive it: clothes, housing, medication.
Eventually, the Downtown Campus could be the light on the hill of not simply
charity, but fellowship of the body of Christ.

There is no question that the city would benefit spiritually. With the landmark of
Downtown being a fake Greek goddess named Portlandia, Rolling Hills could
claim the city for Jesus. Resurrection would occur in peoples’ lives and the love of
Christ would be evident in the congregation that walked the streets.

The Benefit of Rolling Hills

How will this edify Rolling Hills? We have so much on our plate. We are a church
in transition of leadership, debt, and shifting numbers. Aren’t we in enough
change?

I believe that this is exactly what the people of Rolling Hills need and what our staff
needs. We need more tangible mission and purpose. We need identity in the city
instead of just going there once a month. This is the chance to do something
revolutionary instead of evolutionary.

Imagine, once every couple of months, both campuses gathering together for a
celebration of what God has done. Imagine suburban families being exposed to the
reality of the sin of the city. In contrast, imagine a city-slicker hearing a suburban
 25

dad give his testimony about sexual addiction and the pain of losing trust with his
family, but how the Spirit is working on his heart and how Christ and the gospel is
renewing his marriage. What glory could be brought to the name of Jesus! There is
no Greek or Jew now, nor will there be a suburbanite and an urbanite, there is just
those who call of the name of Jesus and those who do not.

Both the urban campus and the suburban campus of Rolling Hills will be edified. I
believe with this change we would see a new excitement in the body, a new vigor
from the staff, and a deeper since of dependence on our Savior Christ. We must be
on mission to bring Christ’s saving power to those in darkness. If this church has a
tangible vision for the furthering of the gospel such as the one proposed in this
document, I do not see how the Rolling Hills body could not be brought to depend
on and worship the Risen King Jesus.

To God be the glory!