{"id":4558,"date":"2019-05-06T08:53:49","date_gmt":"2019-05-06T12:53:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.disciplescef.org\/?p=4558"},"modified":"2021-02-26T16:39:49","modified_gmt":"2021-02-26T21:39:49","slug":"first-christian-church-naples-florida","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disciplescef.org\/blog\/first-christian-church-naples-florida\/","title":{"rendered":"How one Florida congregation learned to go with the flow"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]You can find First Christian Church Naples, better known now as The Current<\/a><\/em>, in a Naples, Florida strip mall. Despite being sandwiched between a nail salon and a Greek restaurant, Reverend Michael Junkroski<\/a> serves a congregation with a thriving social media presence<\/a> and successful food pantry.<\/p>\n

But in 2009, FCC Naples wasn\u2019t doing too well.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Rev. Michael Junkroski<\/p><\/div>\n

The coastal city that shares the church\u2019s name lies near the Everglades, boasts pristine beaches, and is the self-titled \u201cGolf Capital of the World.\u201d It\u2019s a perfect landing spot for snowbirds and tourists alike. And therein lies FCC\u2019s problem.<\/p>\n

Ten years ago, the area surrounding the church\u2019s original location changed from a residential neighborhood to one largely populated by vacation homes. Many of their homeowners didn\u2019t stay in town too long, nor were they attending worship services at First Christian Church. In fact, back then only a small number of the church\u2019s congregation still lived nearby.<\/p>\n

Despite these challenges, FCC and its members knew that they could keep the church\u2019s ministry going, just in a different place. This is when former pastor Bruce Frogge reached out to Disciples Church Extension Fund (DCEF) and Hope Partnership for Missional Transformation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

At that time, Pastor Michael was a musician in the Praise band. Raised in the Jewish faith, he was attracted to FCC\u2019s understanding of Christianity\u2019s Jewish heritage. He was there when the church started working with DCEF to sell the building. He was there when FCC went through the Relocation<\/a> Assessment with Rick Morse, VP of both DCEF and Hope. And, he was there when it held \u201ccottage meetings\u201d to talk about Rick\u2019s report. DCEF helped FCC view potential locations while Hope guided its members to look deeply at what their church was at the time.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we hadn\u2019t worked with DCEF to sell the building,\u201d says Pastor Michael, \u201cthis church would have been gone a decade ago.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n
\"The<\/a><\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n

After the sale members of the church wandered for a while, giving them the opportunity to examine their identity. By then, Pastor Michael had attended seminary, become a commissioned reverend, and was called to serve as FCC\u2019s Senior Pastor. Since they didn\u2019t have a permanent space, church members held their meetings at someone\u2019s home. It was at their new pastor\u2019s mother\u2019s house that the congregants decided FCC needed a different name — one without the word \u201cchurch\u201d in it. They believed that removing this word would speak to the under 40 crowd; to \u201cpeople who understand the scientific present, who ask questions and expect honest answers.\u201d The creative process took some time and various names were considered. What it boiled down to, though, was not how individuals identified their church, but how they identified God.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn my theology, I consider God a disembodied\u00a0conscious energy; a current of energy that we can tap into. We can be in that flow and swim with it, or swim against it,\u201d says Pastor Michael. “When you\u2019re with the movement of God, amazing things can happen,\u201d he notes, \u201cJesus was the perfect embodiment of being at one with the current.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

FCC and its members followed this current of energy to a school gym and, then, to a ballet studio.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we were sitting around one night,\u201d Pastor Michael recalls, \u201cI said that it was time to do something radical because the old ways weren\u2019t working anymore. I introduced a more post-modern theology that took off. I wanted to experiment with decentralizing power from the pulpit.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

With that in mind, the members of The Current<\/em> worked hard to create something new and focus on ministry in the community.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

\"Food<\/a>

The Current’s busy food bank<\/p><\/div><\/dt>\n

The Current<\/em>\/FCC Naples had always been called to do a feeding ministry, so it started a backpack program with another church for \u2018food at-risk\u2019 youth. With that goal in mind, The Current<\/em> got in touch with DCEF again to discuss purchasing a dedicated space for itself. After consultation on this, and on money management, the church bought several spots in a strip mall. This new location allowed it to make room for Food Angels<\/a>, the church\u2019s food bank.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n

You\u2019d think that at this point, the church would have finally settled for good. But the current wasn\u2019t done with it yet.<\/p>\n

The housing market that compelled FCC Naples to move in the first place had affected the strip mall\u2019s condominium association, too. (In the state of Florida, strip malls are run by condo associations.) The association tripled rates, making the space unaffordable. The Current<\/em> sold their spots in the mall to the local Holocaust Museum. With the capital from that sale, it decided to rent its current space, which is in a neighborhood that DCEF had suggested would be the best fit for them. Its food pantry, which is supported by three other local congregations, is now able to feed 2,500 individuals (and rescue 22,000 pounds of food) every month because most of its clients live within walking distance.<\/p>\n

Describing The Current<\/em>\u2019s present location, Pastor Michael says,<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a great center of operations, worship, and spiritual connection. We\u2019re 7-years old and feel that over the past 6-7 months, we\u2019ve formed a foundation to serve the community. We\u2019ve found a home.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_cta _builder_version=”4.7.5″ _module_preset=”default” title=”Are you considering Hope Partnership Services?” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″ background_color=”#f0b800″]<\/p>\n

Our ministry has a new\u00a0survey<\/a> to help your congregation choose which of our opportunities is right for your church.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

You can find First Christian Church Naples, better known now as The Current, in a Naples, Florida strip mall. Despite being sandwiched between a nail salon and a Greek restaurant, Reverend Michael Junkroski serves a congregation with a thriving social media presence and successful food pantry. But in 2009, FCC Naples wasn\u2019t doing too well. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":5036,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"

You can find First Christian Church Naples, better known now as The Current<\/a><\/em>, in a Naples, Florida strip mall. Despite being sandwiched between a nail salon and a Greek restaurant, Reverend Michael Junkroski<\/a> serves a congregation with a thriving social media presence<\/a> and successful food pantry.<\/p>

But in 2009, FCC Naples wasn\u2019t doing too well.<\/p>[caption id=\"attachment_5037\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\"]\"\" Rev. Michael Junkroski[\/caption]

The coastal city that shares the church\u2019s name lies near the Everglades, boasts pristine beaches, and is the self-titled \u201cGolf Capital of the World.\u201d It\u2019s a perfect landing spot for snowbirds and tourists alike. And therein lies FCC\u2019s problem.<\/p>

Ten years ago, the area surrounding the church\u2019s original location changed from a residential neighborhood to one largely populated by vacation homes. Many of their homeowners didn\u2019t stay in town too long, nor were they attending worship services at First Christian Church. In fact, back then only a small number of the church\u2019s congregation still lived nearby.<\/p>

Despite these challenges, FCC and its members knew that they could keep the church\u2019s ministry going, just in a different place. This is when former pastor Bruce Frogge reached out to Disciples Church Extension Fund (DCEF) and Hope Partnership for Missional Transformation<\/a>.<\/p>

At that time, Pastor Michael was a musician in the Praise band. Raised in the Jewish faith, he was attracted to FCC\u2019s understanding of Christianity\u2019s Jewish heritage. He was there when the church started working with DCEF to sell the building. He was there when FCC went through the Relocation<\/a> Assessment with Rick Morse, VP of both DCEF and Hope. And, he was there when it held \u201ccottage meetings\u201d to talk about Rick\u2019s report. DCEF helped FCC view potential locations while Hope guided its members to look deeply at what their church was at the time.<\/p>

\u201cIf we hadn\u2019t worked with DCEF to sell the building,\u201d says Pastor Michael, \u201cthis church would have been gone a decade ago.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>

\"The<\/a><\/dt><\/dl>

After the sale members of the church wandered for a while, giving them the opportunity to examine their identity. By then, Pastor Michael had attended seminary, become a commissioned reverend, and was called to serve as FCC\u2019s Senior Pastor. Since they didn\u2019t have a permanent space, church members held their meetings at someone\u2019s home. It was at their new pastor\u2019s mother\u2019s house that the congregants decided FCC needed a different name -- one without the word \u201cchurch\u201d in it. They believed that removing this word would speak to the under 40 crowd; to \u201cpeople who understand the scientific present, who ask questions and expect honest answers.\u201d The creative process took some time and various names were considered. What it boiled down to, though, was not how individuals identified their church, but how they identified God.<\/p>

\u201cIn my theology, I consider God a disembodied\u00a0conscious energy; a current of energy that we can tap into. We can be in that flow and swim with it, or swim against it,\u201d says Pastor Michael. \"When you\u2019re with the movement of God, amazing things can happen,\u201d he notes, \u201cJesus was the perfect embodiment of being at one with the current.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>

FCC and its members followed this current of energy to a school gym and, then, to a ballet studio.<\/p>

\u201cWhen we were sitting around one night,\u201d Pastor Michael recalls, \u201cI said that it was time to do something radical because the old ways weren\u2019t working anymore. I introduced a more post-modern theology that took off. I wanted to experiment with decentralizing power from the pulpit.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>

With that in mind, the members of The Current<\/em> worked hard to create something new and focus on ministry in the community.<\/p>

[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"225\"]\"Food<\/a> The Current's busy food bank[\/caption]<\/dt>
The Current<\/em>\/FCC Naples had always been called to do a feeding ministry, so it started a backpack program with another church for \u2018food at-risk\u2019 youth. With that goal in mind, The Current<\/em> got in touch with DCEF again to discuss purchasing a dedicated space for itself. After consultation on this, and on money management, the church bought several spots in a strip mall. This new location allowed it to make room for Food Angels<\/a>, the church\u2019s food bank.<\/dd><\/dl><\/div>

You\u2019d think that at this point, the church would have finally settled for good. But the current wasn\u2019t done with it yet.<\/p>

The housing market that compelled FCC Naples to move in the first place had affected the strip mall\u2019s condominium association, too. (In the state of Florida, strip malls are run by condo associations.) The association tripled rates, making the space unaffordable. The Current<\/em> sold their spots in the mall to the local Holocaust Museum. With the capital from that sale, it decided to rent its current space, which is in a neighborhood that DCEF had suggested would be the best fit for them. Its food pantry, which is supported by three other local congregations, is now able to feed 2,500 individuals (and rescue 22,000 pounds of food) every month because most of its clients live within walking distance.<\/p>

Describing The Current<\/em>\u2019s present location, Pastor Michael says,<\/p>

\u201cIt\u2019s a great center of operations, worship, and spiritual connection. We\u2019re 7-years old and feel that over the past 6-7 months, we\u2019ve formed a foundation to serve the community. We\u2019ve found a home.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>","_et_gb_content_width":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,2,5],"tags":[12,13],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow one Florida congregation learned to go with the flow<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"\u201cIf we hadn\u2019t worked with DCEF to sell the building,\u201d says Pastor Michael, \u201cthis church would have been gone a decade ago.\u201d\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/disciplescef.org\/blog\/first-christian-church-naples-florida\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How one Florida congregation learned to go with the flow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\u201cIf we hadn\u2019t worked with DCEF to sell the building,\u201d says Pastor Michael, \u201cthis church would have been gone a decade ago.\u201d\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/disciplescef.org\/blog\/first-christian-church-naples-florida\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Disciples Church Extension Fund\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2019-05-06T12:53:49+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2021-02-26T21:39:49+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/disciplescef.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/IMG_3407-e1574434540501.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"3024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"4032\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Nadine Compton\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written 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