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{{short description|Non-denominational Evangelical Christian church in Idaho}} |
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'''Real Life Ministries''' is a non-denominational [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical]] [[Christian]] church in [[Post Falls, Idaho]], situated in [[Kootenai County, Idaho]]. The church was planted in 1998 by four families, including now senior pastor, [[Jim Putman]]. Since its founding, the church has grown to an average weekend attendance of over 6,000. On Easter, 2006, the church had over 9,500 attendees. It has been the fastest growing non-denominational [[Christian]] church in the [[United States]] over the past four years (2002-2006), experiencing growth of 247%. [http://www.cdapress.com/articles/2006/06/04/news/news01.prt] |
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'''Real Life Ministries''' is a non-denominational, [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical]] Christian church in [[Post Falls, Idaho]], USA, situated in [[Kootenai County, Idaho|Kootenai County]]. The church was planted in 1998 by four families, including the now senior pastor and elder, Jim Putman. Since its founding, the church has grown to an average weekend attendance of over 7,000<ref name="IGT">{{Cite web|url=http://www.spokesmanreview.com/breaking/story.asp?ID=10334|title=How to grow a congregation|accessdate=10 March 2008|work=2007 Spokesman Review}}</ref> and has become one of the fastest-growing churches in the [[United States]], ranking 13th in a 2007 report.<ref name="101f">{{Cite web|url=http://www.outreachmagazine.com/docs/top100_2007_fastest.pdf |format=PDF |title=101 Fastest-Growing U.S. Churches(#13) |accessdate=10 March 2008 |date=8 October 2007 |work=2007 Outreach Magazine Report |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920170132/http://www.outreachmagazine.com/docs/top100_2007_fastest.pdf |archivedate=September 20, 2008 }}</ref> |
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== History == |
== History == |
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| ⚫ | The church began by meeting in private homes until the numbers became too great, at which time it was able to rent space in a movie theater. In 1999, Church Development Fund stepped in to buy {{convert|33|acre|m2}} of land in Post Falls, through its Advanced Land Purchase program, in order for the church to build a facility to serve the 850 in weekly attendance at that time. The church moved into a {{convert|26000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} building on that property in 2001, but quickly outgrew it. |
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In 2004, the church built a {{convert|68000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} facility, with a multi-purpose 1,700 seat [[auditorium]], also on the same property. Real Life Ministries has purchased an additional {{convert|14|acre|m2}} plus a home, for a total of {{convert|47|acre|km2}} at the current site. The Church's master plan for the current site included a 3,600 seat main building, a softball field and a youth center.<ref name="cdaj">{{cite news | title=Miracle Growth| newspaper=CDA Press| date=25 July 2003}}</ref> It has been a borrower of CDF for land purchases and all phases of construction. |
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| ⚫ | The church began by meeting in private homes until |
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In a 22 June 2006 letter to the [[Coeur d'Alene Press]] (CDA Press), RLM's financial accountability was questioned. The writer suggested RLM seek certification from the [[Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability]] as other large churches had done.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cdapress.com/articles/2006/06/24/editorials/letters/letter03.txt|title=CDA Press, June 22, 2006, CHURCH: It's good to be held accountable}}</ref> RLM responded with its own letter to the CDA Press on 15 July, describing its accounting practices and stating that it would seek ECFA certification as an additional measure of outside accountability.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cdapress.com/articles/2006/07/17/editorials/letters/letter05.txt|title=July 15, 2006, FINANCES: Real Life takes responsibility}}</ref> In December 2008, the ECFA accepted RLM's application.<ref name="ecfa">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ecfa.org/MemberProfile.aspx?ID=23345|title=ECFA Profile|accessdate=22 December 2008|publisher=ECFA}}</ref> |
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Faced with unprecedented, continuing growth, the church leadership has determined that their current property is insufficient for further expansion and has sought to purchase a 118 [[acre]] plot of land for a new site. Preliminary plans for the new property include an expandable 3,500 seat [[auditorium]], state-of-the-art children's facility and six multi-use sports fields. If the aquisition is completed, construction may begin in 2008. |
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== Expansion issues == |
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When the church's expansion plans were announced in a local newspaper there was some concern regarding the financial accountability of the church. In an effort to resolve any controversy, the church leadership has solicited input from their members about expansion plans and have also made financial statements available to anyone who would like to review them. |
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With its congregation continuing to grow,<ref name="101f"/><ref name="fg05">{{Cite web|url=http://www.outreachmagazine.com/docs/top100_2005.pdf |format=PDF |title=100 Fastest-Growing U.S. Churches(2005)(#24) |accessdate=16 March 2008 |date=17 June 2005 |work=2005 Outreach Magazine Report |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070127044402/http://www.outreachmagazine.com/docs/top100_2005.pdf |archivedate=January 27, 2007 }}</ref><ref name="fg06">{{Cite web|url=http://www.outreachmagazine.com/docs/top100_2006.pdf|format=PDF|title=100 Fastest-Growing U.S. Churches(2006)(#35)|accessdate=16 March 2008|date=15 July 2006|work=2006 Outreach Magazine Report |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070929174849/http://www.outreachmagazine.com/docs/top100_2006.pdf <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 29 September 2007}}</ref> Real Life Ministries has purchased a {{convert|124|acre|km2|sing=on}} plot of land for a new site, again borrowing funds from the Church Development Fund.<ref name="KCR1">Kootenai County Recorder's Office #I 2126812000 (Recorded 10-15-2007)</ref> Preliminary plans for the new property include an expandable 3,500 seat auditorium, state-of-the-art children's facility, a 300-seat chapel, field house and six multi-use sports fields.<ref name="IGT"/> The property, however, has no water rights (according to the deed recorded at the county), no septic hook-up, and access roads have not been widened nor brought up to highway standards. According to the Conditional Use Permit Agreement,<ref name="KCR2">Kootenai County Recorder's Office #I 2077525000 (Recorded 1-16-2007)</ref> RLM will fund a traffic study and infrastructure improvements, including but not limited to reconstructing two adjacent roads, before receiving any building permits. Senior Pastor Jim Putman has said that while plans to build on the new property have been shelved, the real need now is for RLM to build the sports fields on the new property.<ref name="cdap">{{cite news| title=Church delays building on prairie...| newspaper=CDA Press| date=22 August 2008}}</ref> |
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After spending more than $750,000 dollars on the new property project,<ref name="KCR1"/><ref name="CN708">{{Cite web|url=http://www.reallifeministries.com/rlm_news_page_archive|title=RLM News 7/2008|accessdate=8 August 2008|publisher=RLM|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080204103927/http://www.reallifeministries.com/rlm_news_page_archive|archivedate=4 February 2008}}</ref> Putman announced in July 2008 that RLM will not begin construction on the {{convert|124|acre|km2|sing=on}} parcel of land, saying "...at this time at least the new building is out of reach. Other options must be explored as a temporary solution until the time when what’s required can be afforded (initial estimates being $40 million). Also in his July 2008 announcement, he suggested home church as one potential option, saying, "Maybe doing church on Sunday in our homes? How do we keep reaching people but not get in over our heads financially."<ref name="CN708"/> The July 2008 statement also said, "We believe the move to the new property is something God wants us to do, but the timing has always been in question."<ref name="CN708"/> Earlier in the project, Putman was quoted as saying, we believe "Jesus has shown us He is all in, now we will wait for Him to tell us when."<ref name="cdaj"/> |
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The church is reportedly also seeking accreditation with the [http://www.ecfa.org/ContentEngine.aspx?Page=WhatIsECFA Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability] to further achieve financial transparency.[http://www.cdapress.com/articles/2006/07/17/editorials/letters/letter05.prt] |
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==Boise Bible |
==Boise Bible College–Post Falls== |
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| ⚫ | In 2004, [[Boise Bible College]] launched the Post Falls Center in co-operation with Real Life Ministries. The extension site combined the discipleship process developed by RLM with the Biblical training provided by BBC, resulting in an A.S. in Biblical leadership. This co-operative extension site was no longer active in February 2009. |
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==References== |
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| ⚫ | |||
{{reflist}} |
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== Church Mission Statement == |
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*''From the church website.'' |
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'''The Real Life Vision Statement''' |
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"We have all been called and empowered to reach the world for Jesus one person at a time." |
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'''The Real Life Mission for Making Disciples''' |
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"We will create a relational environment for the purpose of discipleship." (Small groups) |
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'''God Has Given Us Our Mission''' |
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Just before our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was taken up into heaven, He gave the disciples and us this command and commission: |
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“''All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age''.” Matthew 28:18-20 - NIV |
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It is by these words that we are all called and empowered to change the entire world for Christ, one person at a time. By... |
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'''Sharing''' Christ with a dying world. Matt 28:19, Luke 19:10 |
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'''Connecting''' people to God and to each other. Matt 22:37-40, Heb 3:12-13 |
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'''Training''' believers in Christ to minister to those in the church and in the community. Eph 4:11-13 |
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'''Preparing''' those we disciple, our children and others, to live God-centered lives so that they can prepare others. Mk 10:14, Lk 17:2, 2 Tim 2:2; Matt 28:19 |
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Everything we do at Real Life Ministries revolves around these four purposes. |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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| ⚫ | |||
*[http://www.rlmchurchtraininganddevelopment.com// Church Training and Development Team] |
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*[http://www.bend.caretool.net/care.asp Caretool] |
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{{coord|47|43|34|N|116|54|09|W|format=dms|display=title|type:landmark_region:US-ID}} |
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| ⚫ | |||
{{Megachurches}} |
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*[http://www.boisebible.edu/ Boise Bible College homepage] |
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*[http://www.cdapress.com/articles/2006/06/04/news/news01.txt Church Expansion - A Matter of Faith], ''CDA Press'', June 4, 2006 |
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[[Category:Evangelical churches in Idaho]] |
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{{Uncategorized|October 2006}} |
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[[Category:Buildings and structures in Kootenai County, Idaho]] |
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[[Category:Post Falls, Idaho]] |
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[[Category:Christian organizations established in 1998]] |
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[[Category:Evangelical megachurches in the United States]] |
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Latest revision as of 22:40, 6 February 2024
Real Life Ministries is a non-denominational, Evangelical Christian church in Post Falls, Idaho, USA, situated in Kootenai County. The church was planted in 1998 by four families, including the now senior pastor and elder, Jim Putman. Since its founding, the church has grown to an average weekend attendance of over 7,000[1] and has become one of the fastest-growing churches in the United States, ranking 13th in a 2007 report.[2]
History[edit]
The church began by meeting in private homes until the numbers became too great, at which time it was able to rent space in a movie theater. In 1999, Church Development Fund stepped in to buy 33 acres (130,000 m2) of land in Post Falls, through its Advanced Land Purchase program, in order for the church to build a facility to serve the 850 in weekly attendance at that time. The church moved into a 26,000-square-foot (2,400 m2) building on that property in 2001, but quickly outgrew it.
In 2004, the church built a 68,000-square-foot (6,300 m2) facility, with a multi-purpose 1,700 seat auditorium, also on the same property. Real Life Ministries has purchased an additional 14 acres (57,000 m2) plus a home, for a total of 47 acres (0.19 km2) at the current site. The Church's master plan for the current site included a 3,600 seat main building, a softball field and a youth center.[3] It has been a borrower of CDF for land purchases and all phases of construction.
In a 22 June 2006 letter to the Coeur d'Alene Press (CDA Press), RLM's financial accountability was questioned. The writer suggested RLM seek certification from the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability as other large churches had done.[4] RLM responded with its own letter to the CDA Press on 15 July, describing its accounting practices and stating that it would seek ECFA certification as an additional measure of outside accountability.[5] In December 2008, the ECFA accepted RLM's application.[6]
Expansion issues[edit]
With its congregation continuing to grow,[2][7][8] Real Life Ministries has purchased a 124-acre (0.50 km2) plot of land for a new site, again borrowing funds from the Church Development Fund.[9] Preliminary plans for the new property include an expandable 3,500 seat auditorium, state-of-the-art children's facility, a 300-seat chapel, field house and six multi-use sports fields.[1] The property, however, has no water rights (according to the deed recorded at the county), no septic hook-up, and access roads have not been widened nor brought up to highway standards. According to the Conditional Use Permit Agreement,[10] RLM will fund a traffic study and infrastructure improvements, including but not limited to reconstructing two adjacent roads, before receiving any building permits. Senior Pastor Jim Putman has said that while plans to build on the new property have been shelved, the real need now is for RLM to build the sports fields on the new property.[11]
After spending more than $750,000 dollars on the new property project,[9][12] Putman announced in July 2008 that RLM will not begin construction on the 124-acre (0.50 km2) parcel of land, saying "...at this time at least the new building is out of reach. Other options must be explored as a temporary solution until the time when what’s required can be afforded (initial estimates being $40 million). Also in his July 2008 announcement, he suggested home church as one potential option, saying, "Maybe doing church on Sunday in our homes? How do we keep reaching people but not get in over our heads financially."[12] The July 2008 statement also said, "We believe the move to the new property is something God wants us to do, but the timing has always been in question."[12] Earlier in the project, Putman was quoted as saying, we believe "Jesus has shown us He is all in, now we will wait for Him to tell us when."[3]
Boise Bible College–Post Falls[edit]
In 2004, Boise Bible College launched the Post Falls Center in co-operation with Real Life Ministries. The extension site combined the discipleship process developed by RLM with the Biblical training provided by BBC, resulting in an A.S. in Biblical leadership. This co-operative extension site was no longer active in February 2009.
References[edit]
- ^ a b "How to grow a congregation". 2007 Spokesman Review. Retrieved 10 March 2008.
- ^ a b "101 Fastest-Growing U.S. Churches(#13)" (PDF). 2007 Outreach Magazine Report. 8 October 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 20, 2008. Retrieved 10 March 2008.
- ^ a b "Miracle Growth". CDA Press. 25 July 2003.
- ^ "CDA Press, June 22, 2006, CHURCH: It's good to be held accountable".
- ^ "July 15, 2006, FINANCES: Real Life takes responsibility".
- ^ "ECFA Profile". ECFA. Retrieved 22 December 2008.
- ^ "100 Fastest-Growing U.S. Churches(2005)(#24)" (PDF). 2005 Outreach Magazine Report. 17 June 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 27, 2007. Retrieved 16 March 2008.
- ^ "100 Fastest-Growing U.S. Churches(2006)(#35)" (PDF). 2006 Outreach Magazine Report. 15 July 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 16 March 2008.
- ^ a b Kootenai County Recorder's Office #I 2126812000 (Recorded 10-15-2007)
- ^ Kootenai County Recorder's Office #I 2077525000 (Recorded 1-16-2007)
- ^ "Church delays building on prairie...". CDA Press. 22 August 2008.
- ^ a b c "RLM News 7/2008". RLM. Archived from the original on 4 February 2008. Retrieved 8 August 2008.