Transformation occurs when churches give themselves to mission. That was apparent to the Rev. Doug Bland, pastor of Community Christian Church in Tempe, Ariz., when he and members of his church saw the rapidly growing community of Gilbert expanding to the south. In 2002, the Tempe church commissioned members who lived in the area and their associate pastor to start this new ministry in partnership with their region.

What started out in 2002 in a small room of a community center, in Gilbert, Ariz., has grown into a vibrant, viable congregation with more than 65 people worshiping together on an average Sunday.

The Rev. Linda Miller, pastor of Chalice Christian Church, calls the people in her church "entrepreneurs," and says they are striving to integrate their spiritual lives into their everyday lives. "Over the years, we have deepened our understanding of our call to evangelism," Miller said. "Our life is twofold, to worship, be nourished, and then take church with us out into the world."
Chalice Christian Church now has a place to call home. After more than five years of meeting in community centers and local schools, Chalice now marks a new phase in the young congregation's growth.

Their new building, financed with a loan from Church Extension, has a worship space for 125 people in a multi-purpose room, educational facilities and office space. "We are beginning a new stage in our ministry, and we are excited," said Miller.
The new building will give Chalice an opportunity to do ministry at times other than Sunday mornings. "People are looking for some surroundings to nest in, a place where they can identify the building as their own. Now, we won't have to go through unpacking and setting up each time we want to make church happen," Miller said. This will allow them to invest more energy in engaging in ministry, instead of 'grunt work,' as Miller calls it.

From the earliest musings about Chalice Christian Church, they identified themselves as people who embrace and celebrate diversity.

"All of God's children are welcome here," said Miller. Today Community Christian Church is still growing, and proud of their heritage as a church that gave birth to another congregation.

The Rev. Dr. Rick Morse is vice president for New Church Ministry and Mission Initiatives in Church Extension, a general ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).