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We were able to meet with Mike Hayes, who is the executive pastor of City Church in San Francisco, CA. City Church is somewhat similar to Redeemer Presbyterian, in that it is an inner city church in a densely populated urban area. Another similarity is that it specifically targets young urban professionals. Mike described their services as apologetic and articulate. While Redeemer (New York) has specific services featuring jazz arrangements of hymns and songs, Mike said the ‘jazz thing’ just doesn’t work in San Francisco. They found that the people connected more with a musical blend of American folk music and traditional hymns. This was a reminder to us that one of the primary considerations in church music is not so much what those who already know Jesus might want, but what connects most effectively with those who do not know Jesus. These things are never easily resolved, views are passionately and keenly held. But we were impressed with the missionary approach and the servant heart which put aside personal (and even communal) preferences for the good of the Gospel.

This is expressed in the community service ministries City Church undertake. One example really stood out: City Church provide volunteers to a foot clinic which specifically deals with homeless people. What do the volunteers do? They wash the feet of the homeless! Is that brilliant? Sometimes all people come for is the foot washing, and the volunteers gladly serve them. A wonderful picture of a servant heart, and a powerful witness.

City Church is also an example of how church communities respond to changing needs. They used to hold two services on Sunday, and one also on Saturday evening. These services never really took off, whereas there were great pressures on their Sunday morning service. Over time they realised it was better to stop the Saturday evening and Sunday evening services, and instead now have two services in the Sunday AM and that’s it. They have grown more solidly and have been able to nurture their people more effectively taking the latter approach.

Up to 50% of City Church’s attendees are new believers. What draws them?

• Warm invitation by people who are up front about their love for Jesus
• Engaging church contexts, a warm church community which welcomes people in significant ways (i.e.. More than just a ‘hello’)
• Compassion ministries: see above. These ministries are integrated fully into the life of the church, and have not been developed as a separate entity (as they have been in Redeemer). Mike O’Neill sees that as an important statement of how highly they love and value the community God has placed them in

  A few other interesting points

• They have a ‘stewardship team’ of highly motivated and sensitive professionals, who encourage the church community to be courageous and generous in their giving
• Their church planters are all ordained people with proven maturity. City Church looks for the best church planters around and seeks to attract them to the church’s vision and mission. Future church plants they are hoping to develop will include communities of released prisoners and ex-sex workers. It was incredibly hearted to see how intentional City Church is about this.

  Feedback: dave@redlandscrc.org.au