Why A New Church In Ashland?



The area within a five mile radius of downtown Ashland is the 11th most populous area in the state of Kentucky. This area, which includes Ashland, Flatwoods, Russell, Catlettsburg and parts of Boyd and Greenup Counties, is home to nearly 75,000 people.

The Ashland area is not only “home” to many people but also to many churches. There are an estimated 200 churches in the Ashland area. Ashland is a city of small churches. The vast majority of congregations number under 150 in average attendance. Ashland is also a city of traditional churches. Mainline denominations represent a majority of churches within the area. In those mainline churches traditional forms of worship are the most common.

So with over 2oo churches in the Ashland area, why do we need to start another one? The answer lies with the people. The demographic data shows that 29% of the 75,000 individuals who live in our area claim to be “not involved” in any church on any level! Couple that with the 32% who claim to be “somewhat involved” and the spiritual picture comes sharply into focus! A majority of the people are saying “no” to the churches of our area.

According to a recent Barna Research report done for the Kentucky Baptist Convention, “Overall, 32% of Kentucky’s adult population is unchurched – that is has not been to a non-holiday worship service in a church for at least six months.” The Barna report goes on to state that “Most of Kentucky’s unchurched (81%) are de-churched. They used to regularly attend a church – many within the last five years – but no longer do so. More than two-fifths (42%) used to attend a Baptist church.”

It is our conviction that the de-churched and never-churched can be reached with the Gospel and become actively involved in a church. But it is also our conviction that this dream can only be realized by the influence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of people and by a non-traditional approach to outreach and ministry. The Percept demographics claim that 25% of our area prefers contemporary worship style compared to only 21% preferring traditional. Yet over 90% of the churches of our area offer only traditional worship and structures to the unchurched. We feel that the time is right for a non-traditional church start, focused on reaching these de-churched and never-churched individuals that Christ died for!