12 Churches to Watch
PART TWO IN A SERIES

We are inspired. We hear about your churches - churches on the move, churches that grow and connect with communities - churches to watch. So, we asked each of our 12 superintendents to tell us about a "church to watch" in their districts. In November, we featured Staffordsville Circuit in Tazewell District. Here's our next inspiring congregation. - Editor, The Call

Superintendent's comments: "Salem United Methodist Church is in the process of building a new sanctuary - their fifth since being founded in 1808. They are located in a rural area with little population growth yet have experienced a 50 percent increase in worship and Sunday school attendance. They are vigorously ministering to children, youth, young adults, and widows." - Rev. Fred Dearing

The story: The people at Salem United Methodist Church have a lot of good memories and tales showing how their church has grown. One story they like to tell is how Bishop James Swanson made an impromptu visit in spring 2005. The parking lot was so full and the sanctuary was so packed, the Bishop reportedly had to park his car in a ditch and sit in a fold-out chair in the aisle.

The Rev. Jason McIntosh's eyes shine when discussing Salem's great progress. When McIntosh was appointed to Salem straight out of Asbury Theological Seminary in March 2001, worship attendance was in the 80s. When the 100-seat sanctuary became too crowded a few years later, the congregation voted to tear it down in May 2005 and start planning a new one. Lately, worshipping in the 150-seat fellowship hall has started to get awfully crowded. Now, church leaders are nervously wondering if the 250-seat sanctuary they'll soon start building will be large enough.

"God's hand is on this place," says McIntosh, age 31. "I'm just waiting to see what he's going to do next."

Conference leaders not only marvel that the congregation agreed to tear down their picturesque little country church for a larger, contemporary- style building valued at $1 million. Leaders are also impressed that the church nestled off Highway 11-W, in the hills between Kingsport and Bristol, took in nearly 20 new members this year, with 21 professions of faith.

Parishioners credit their friendly nature for the growth. ("If a visitor comes here, they will leave knowing they are welcome,," says J.D. Bacon, wearing a "John 3:16" cap and offering spicy peanuts prepared by the United Methodist Men.) Meanwhile, McIntosh and conference leaders cite ministries such as a widow's group that numbers 42 and draws participants from as far as Hawkins County; a community seniors' group called "Jolly Old Band"; and an active youth group that has recently grown from five to 25 members.

McIntosh also compliments what he calls a "strong male presence" in the congregation. "They got serious at one point," he says, "and decided they would be visible not only spiritually but in the leadership of this church." Both men and women are heavily involved in the decisionmaking of the church as well as its missions and intercessory prayer, the pastor says.

"We're in transition," says McIntosh, who seems to burst with pride for his congregation and God's works, while cautiously preparing himself for the challenges and decisions ahead.

"Five years ago, people didn't know Salem was here. Now they're talking about us, talking about the new building, talking about what's happening here. We could have chosen to remain a small country church, but I think God saw that we could be a lot more. We're moving from being a community church to an area church.

"This is all going to be for God's glory. This wouldn't happen, if God wasn't in this."

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