New Hope Christian Fellowship in Oahu, Hawaii, pastored by well-known Foursquare leader and author Wayne Cordeiro, has ranked No. 5 in one of several “Top Churches to Watch in America” lists released in January by Church Relevance, a website founded by Kent Shaffer that “exists to help churches become more effective and efficient.”
Compiling data from “top church” lists produced since 2004 by publications such as Outreach magazine and research centers such as Church Growth Today, Shaffer created several master lists ranking the top churches in specific areas of ministry. Churches on these mashup lists were positioned according to the number of lists on which they had appeared and by the average ranking they had achieved.
The mashup lists published by Church Relevance on its website included the top 10 churches to learn from in each of the following categories: church growth; innovative ministry methods; planting multiple churches; running a large church; influencing how other churches do ministry; and a “top 26” list of churches that excel in all the above measured areas. New Hope ranked No. 5 on this “top churches to learn from in all areas” listing.
Wayne Cordeiro told Foursquare.org he was pleasantly surprised and humbled at the ranking, noting that it wasn’t an accolade New Hope was aiming for.
“Rather, we simply choose to remain true to the missio dei, or the assignment that God has given us, to reach the lost, disciple the saved, and send them forth to do the same,” Pastor Wayne explained. “When this happens, we find God uses that church to influence their generation and community. When churches are aligned with their missional calling, they’ll be effective in the arenas in which God has placed them.”
Believers who desire to be effective in their ministry call and to stay refreshed in their personal spiritual lives may also be interested to know that Pastor Wayne has a devotional reading plan available through YouVersion.com, a website that offers users ways to personalize and track their Bible reading and devotional activities. Pastor Wayne’s material is among approximately 20 different reading plans available on the site.
Developed by LifeChurch.tv, YouVersion.com may be accessed on the web or—even better and more convenient—via smart phone. The YouVersion mobile Bible App can be downloaded for free via iTunes and allows users to read the Bible in 41 different translations and in 22 languages. Features include church group reading plans, progress charts and more.
For more information on the “top church” lists, visit www.churchrelevance.com. To learn about reading the Bible and Pastor Wayne’s devotionals on your mobile device, log on to www.YouVersion.com.
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By: Bill Shepson, a Foursquare credentialed minister and freelance writer in Los Angeles
