Renaissance Church (Providence, RI)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Renaissance Church (Ren) is a church located on the east side of Providence, Rhode Island. As stated on their website, "We exist to help people achieve the full expression of what they are created to be." The church's website is www.Renaissance-church.org.
Some, including the pastoral staff team, would consider this church as part of the Emergent Church movement as discussed by D. A. Carson, Alex McManus, and other emergent church scholars. Renaissance is believed to be the first Emergent Church to be started in Providence, RI.
Contents |
[edit] History
Renaissance church was founded by Reverend Scott Axtmann and Reverend Marshal Morse in 2003. Originally the church met in various locations such as hotel conference rooms or theaters, but with growth there was a need for a more fixed location. Initially, the church leased a small 800 square foot store front space on the west side of Providence, Rhode Island.
In 2005 the church decided not to renew their lease on the storefront space and moved to the Vartan Gregorian Middle School located on Wickenden Street on the East Side of Providence. The church then moved in late 2005 to a historic former arsenal building on Benefit Street on the east side of Providence. Due to lack of fire code compliancy, the church currently has returned to Vartan Gregorian for their Sunday morning service. [1]
[edit] Post-modernity and the Emergent church
Post-modernity is a societal movement. It is akin to the Renassaince period or modern period in art and culture.
The Emergent church movement woiuld generally be agreed upon as the churches internal response to the societal post-modern movement.
[edit] Leadership
The lead pastor at Renaissance Church is Reverend Scott Axtmann. Scott is a graduate of Zion Bible College and is an ordained minister within the Assemblies of God church.
The Sunday talks are recorded and may be listened to at SermonCloud.com.[2]
The church is led by a 4 member "pastoral staff" team. This team is made up of Scott Axtmann, Kate DeMello (a Theology professor), John Michaelson (an ordained, Assemblies of God, campus missionary), and Steve Simmons (Church member). The team's primary purpose is to make decisions on church operation from a spiritual, logistical, and practical standpoint.
The church also has another leadership body. This group is referred to as the "Ren core". This is Renaissance church's version of what other churches may call "membership". The core meets monthly for fellowship and church business.
[edit] Church Values
The church has 12 official values: Authenticity, Scripture, Relevance, Mission, Family, People, Mentorship, Social Action, Divine Pursuit, Innovation and the Arts, Culture, and Dialogue.
The thirteenth unofficial church value is "Coffee".
