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| churchmanship =
| churchmanship =
| membership =
| membership =
| attendance = 7,543 (2010)<ref name=2010report/>
| attendance = 9,000 (2011)<ref name=Baxter/>
| website = [http://www.elevationchurch.org/ www.elevationchurch.org]
| website = [http://www.elevationchurch.org/ www.elevationchurch.org]
| former name =
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'''Elevation Church''' in [[Charlotte]], [[North Carolina]], is a [[Southern Baptist Convention|Southern Baptist]] [[megachurch]] pastored by [[Steven Furtick]]. Elevation was cited by [[Outreach Magazine]] as one of the Top 100 fastest growing churches in the country in 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2010.<ref name=outreach>{{cite web|url=http://www.outreachmagazine.com/Library/webexclusives/Out100NoteFromEditor.asp|title= 2007 List of Fastest Growing US Churches|author=Outreach Magazine|date=October 8, 2007|accessdate=2008-08-15 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080410231000/http://www.outreachmagazine.com/Library/webexclusives/Out100NoteFromEditor.asp <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2008-04-10}}</ref> It has been described as "a pop culture-friendly church with an orthodox Christian message".<ref name=coolpastorhotchurch/>
'''Elevation Church''' in [[Charlotte]], [[North Carolina]], is a [[Southern Baptist Convention|Southern Baptist]] [[megachurch]] pastored by [[Steven Furtick]]. Elevation was cited by [[Outreach Magazine]] as one of the Top 100 fastest growing churches in the country in 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2010.<ref name=outreach>{{cite web|url=http://www.outreachmagazine.com/Library/webexclusives/Out100NoteFromEditor.asp|title= 2007 List of Fastest Growing US Churches|author=Outreach Magazine|date=October 8, 2007|accessdate=2008-08-15 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080410231000/http://www.outreachmagazine.com/Library/webexclusives/Out100NoteFromEditor.asp <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2008-04-10}}</ref> It has been described as "a pop culture-friendly church with an orthodox Christian message".<ref name=coolpastorhotchurch/>


==History==
⚫
The church began as a [[Church planting|church plant]] of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. As part of a church planting team, Furtick and seven other families from Christ Covenant Church in Shelby, North Carolina, relocated to Matthews, meeting in Providence High School.<ref name=SBCoNC>{{cite web|url=http://ncmo.bpstudios.com/eng/stories/elevation.aspx|title=Growth Burst Elevation Church At The Seams|author= Norman Jameson|date=2007|accessdate=2008-08-15}}</ref> Over its short history, it has experienced notable growth. On February 5, 2006, the first Sunday worship service, 121 people attended.<ref name=ElevationChurchWelcome>[http://www.elevationchurch.org/welcome "Elevation Church | Welcome"]. Retrieved 2011-02-22.</ref> Since then, the church's regular attendance has grown to over 9,000, currently meeting in six different locations.<ref name=Baxter> Baxter, Jennifer. [http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/09/04/2571507/elevation-church-keeps-growing.html "Elevation church keeps growing."] Charlotte Observer 04 Sept. 2011. Retrieved 2011-10-20.</ref>

==Multi-Site==
Elevation is a [[multi-site church]]. Charlotte services are held in Providence High School, in Uptown Charlotte at the McGlohon Theatre, in [[Matthews, North Carolina|Matthews]] at a renovated furniture warehouse, and in the Charlotte suburb of Blakeney in a permanent facility. Elevation Blakeney was opened November 13, 2010, and will also serve as a performance arts center available for rental to the community.<ref name=BlakeneyWeb>{{cite web|url=http://www.elevationblakeney.com/|title=www.ElevationBlakeney.com}}</ref> Elevation Church most recently opened two new campuses on September 11, 2011: one meeting in Northwestern High School, near the heart of [[Rock Hill]], [[South Carolina]], and the second meeting at the University City YMCA, in the [[University City, North Carolina|University Area]] of Charlotte.<ref name=FoxCharlotteNewCampuses>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxcharlotte.com/news/top-stories/Elevation-Church-Grows-Again-Adding-Two-New-Campuses-126813653.html|title= Elevation Church Grows Again Adding Two New Campuses|author=Fox Charlotte|date=2011|accessdate=2011-08-16}}</ref>
Elevation is a [[multi-site church]]. Charlotte services are held in Providence High School, in Uptown Charlotte at the McGlohon Theatre, in [[Matthews, North Carolina|Matthews]] at a renovated furniture warehouse, and in the Charlotte suburb of Blakeney in a permanent facility. Elevation Blakeney was opened November 13, 2010, and will also serve as a performance arts center available for rental to the community.<ref name=BlakeneyWeb>{{cite web|url=http://www.elevationblakeney.com/|title=www.ElevationBlakeney.com}}</ref> Elevation Church most recently opened two new campuses on September 11, 2011: one meeting in Northwestern High School, near the heart of [[Rock Hill]], [[South Carolina]], and the second meeting at the University City YMCA, in the [[University City, North Carolina|University Area]] of Charlotte.<ref name=FoxCharlotteNewCampuses>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxcharlotte.com/news/top-stories/Elevation-Church-Grows-Again-Adding-Two-New-Campuses-126813653.html|title= Elevation Church Grows Again Adding Two New Campuses|author=Fox Charlotte|date=2011|accessdate=2011-08-16}}</ref>


==Outreach==
⚫
The church began as a [[Church planting|church plant]] of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. As part of a church planting team, Furtick and seven other families from Christ Covenant Church in Shelby, North Carolina, relocated to Matthews, meeting in Providence High School.<ref name=SBCoNC>{{cite web|url=http://ncmo.bpstudios.com/eng/stories/elevation.aspx|title=Growth Burst Elevation Church At The Seams|author= Norman Jameson|date=2007|accessdate=2008-08-15}}</ref> Over its short history, it has experienced notable growth. On February 5, 2006, the first Sunday worship service, 121 people attended.<ref name=ElevationChurchWelcome>[http://www.elevationchurch.org/welcome "Elevation Church | Welcome"]. Retrieved 2011-02-22.</ref> The church reported an average weekly attendance of 7,543 in 2010.<ref name=2010report>Elevation Church (2011). [http://www.elevationchurch.org/content/documents/2010AnnualReportElevationChurch.pdf Annual Report 2010]. p. 4. Retrieved August 25, 2011.</ref>
In 2008, Elevation Church made headlines when it gave out $40,000 to members, in envelopes filled with $5, $20, even $1,000, and told them to spend it kindly on others. Later that year, the church again headlines again when members followed up by pledging $6.4 million to the church's capital campaign for worship space.<ref name=coolpastorhotchurch/>

Since 2006, Elevation Church has given more than $3.4 million to local and global outreach partners. In 2011, a partnership with Charlotte Mayor [[Anthony Foxx]] was established to give 100,000 hours and $750,000 to serve Charlotte people in "The Orange Initiative." <ref name=Baxter/>


==Controversy==
Elevation Church attracted attention for its treatment of a child with [[cerebral palsy]].<ref>http://www.christianpost.com/news/church-disruptions-should-children-be-allowed-into-main-hall-55404/</ref><ref>http://www.wsoctv.com/news/28173783/detail.html</ref> The child's mother stated they were "very abruptly escorted out" into the lobby after the child said "Amen" during the 2011 Easter service. An early statement from the church defended its action, stating that Elevation aimed at facilitating "distraction-free" worship. In a later statement, the church said "...this young man and his family were not removed from our church. They were escorted to a nearby section of our church where they watched the service in its entirety". A church employee explained the behavior by stating that the church focuses on worship not ministry. The church later denied this priority. The mother had planned to meet with church officials; however, the pastor cancelled the meeting after the mother contacted the media. The church subsequently reported that it has reached out to the Mecklenburg County ARC, an advocacy group for the disabled, requesting special needs training for its staff.<ref>http://www.wsoctv.com/news/28173783/detail.html</ref>
Elevation Church attracted attention for its treatment of a child with [[cerebral palsy]]. The child's mother stated they were escorted to the church's lobby after the child said "Amen" during the 2011 Easter service. The church defended its action, saying the child was not removed from the church but only escorted to another section of the church to watch the service. The mother and church officials had planned to meet to discuss the incident; however, the meeting was cancelled after the mother contacted the media.<ref name=WSOCTV>http://www.wsoctv.com/news/28173783/detail.html</ref>The church subsequently reported that it has reached out to the Mecklenburg County ARC, an advocacy group for the disabled, requesting special needs training for its staff.<ref name=WSOCTV/>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 22:00, 20 October 2011

Elevation Church
LocationCharlotte, NC
CountryUnited States
DenominationSouthern Baptist[1]
Weekly attendance9,000 (2011)[2]
Websitewww.elevationchurch.org
History
FoundedFebruary 2006 (February 2006)
Clergy
Senior pastor(s)Steven Furtick
Pastor(s)Chunks Corbett
(Campus Pastor, Blakeney)
John Bishop
(Campus Pastor, Matthews)
Joshua Blackson
(Campus Pastor, Providence)
Frank Bealer
(Campus Pastor, Rock Hill)
Larry Brey
(Campus Pastor, University)
Larry Hubatka
(Campus Pastor, Uptown)
Laity
Music group(s)Elevation Worship

Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a Southern Baptist megachurch pastored by Steven Furtick. Elevation was cited by Outreach Magazine as one of the Top 100 fastest growing churches in the country in 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2010.[3] It has been described as "a pop culture-friendly church with an orthodox Christian message".[1]

History

The church began as a church plant of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. As part of a church planting team, Furtick and seven other families from Christ Covenant Church in Shelby, North Carolina, relocated to Matthews, meeting in Providence High School.[4] Over its short history, it has experienced notable growth. On February 5, 2006, the first Sunday worship service, 121 people attended.[5] Since then, the church's regular attendance has grown to over 9,000, currently meeting in six different locations.[2]

Multi-Site

Elevation is a multi-site church. Charlotte services are held in Providence High School, in Uptown Charlotte at the McGlohon Theatre, in Matthews at a renovated furniture warehouse, and in the Charlotte suburb of Blakeney in a permanent facility. Elevation Blakeney was opened November 13, 2010, and will also serve as a performance arts center available for rental to the community.[6] Elevation Church most recently opened two new campuses on September 11, 2011: one meeting in Northwestern High School, near the heart of Rock Hill, South Carolina, and the second meeting at the University City YMCA, in the University Area of Charlotte.[7]

Outreach

In 2008, Elevation Church made headlines when it gave out $40,000 to members, in envelopes filled with $5, $20, even $1,000, and told them to spend it kindly on others. Later that year, the church again headlines again when members followed up by pledging $6.4 million to the church's capital campaign for worship space.[1]

Since 2006, Elevation Church has given more than $3.4 million to local and global outreach partners. In 2011, a partnership with Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx was established to give 100,000 hours and $750,000 to serve Charlotte people in "The Orange Initiative." [2]

Controversy

Elevation Church attracted attention for its treatment of a child with cerebral palsy. The child's mother stated they were escorted to the church's lobby after the child said "Amen" during the 2011 Easter service. The church defended its action, saying the child was not removed from the church but only escorted to another section of the church to watch the service. The mother and church officials had planned to meet to discuss the incident; however, the meeting was cancelled after the mother contacted the media.[8]The church subsequently reported that it has reached out to the Mecklenburg County ARC, an advocacy group for the disabled, requesting special needs training for its staff.[8]

References

  1. ^ a b c Funk, Tim. "A Cool Pastor, and a Hot Church". Charlotte Observer, September 14, 2008.
  2. ^ a b c Baxter, Jennifer. "Elevation church keeps growing." Charlotte Observer 04 Sept. 2011. Retrieved 2011-10-20.
  3. ^ Outreach Magazine (October 8, 2007). "2007 List of Fastest Growing US Churches". Archived from the original on 2008-04-10. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
  4. ^ Norman Jameson (2007). "Growth Burst Elevation Church At The Seams". Retrieved 2008-08-15.
  5. ^ "Elevation Church | Welcome". Retrieved 2011-02-22.
  6. ^ "www.ElevationBlakeney.com".
  7. ^ Fox Charlotte (2011). "Elevation Church Grows Again Adding Two New Campuses". Retrieved 2011-08-16.
  8. ^ a b http://www.wsoctv.com/news/28173783/detail.html
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