Go Ye
W e b m i n i s t e r . c o m ©
webminister@webminister.com
Preach
An Insight into the 1,400 Member Mayfair Church in Huntsville, Alabama by Gary Bradley
[HOME]

An Insight into the 1,400 Member Mayfair Church in Huntsville, Alabama ©
by Gary Bradley 1
    "In every area of work, the prime factor is care for others. Our Lord cared! We care! It is this servant attitude which results in the incredible strength and growth of this congregation."
"In the early 1950's the Mayfair Church began meeting in an area of expected growth in Huntsville, Alabama. By 1960 numbers necessitated a move to a new facility at 4700 Whitesburg Drive at which location the church still meets. This building along with the addition of a Family Life Center in 1978 and a major auditorium expansion and renovation in 1985 have served the congregation well, allowing the growth of the Mayfair family from few in number to its present membership.

Mayfair's membership now stands at 1,449 representing a total of 1,990 family members and 802 family units. Under the leadership of eight elders, six ministers serve the congregation: Pulpit Minister, Youth Minister, Singles Minister, Family Services Minister, Senior Adult Minister and Educational and Involvement Minister. The staff also includes an Early Childhood Specialist and an Office/13usiness Manager. Forty-four deacon/ministry leaders head up the areas of ministry of the church. Mayfair also has a Child Development Center which offers licensed daycare as well as a state certified, licensed day school and kindergarten. Mayfair Towers, a retirement complex of fifty-seven units located on the church's property, was completed in 1984. Both MCDC and the Mayfair Towers enjoy an excellent reputation and each has a long waiting list.

Current attendance averages are as follows: Sunday morning worship, 1275; Sunday School, 975; Sunday evening worship, 895; and Wednesday evening Bible study attendance has averaged over 800 for the past month.

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO GROWTH

Many factors have contributed to Mayfair's tremendous growth over the years, and space will not allow extensive elaboration. However, some basic factors stand out as reasons why Mayfair has always been a growth-minded church.

  • Foremost among many factors is a basic commitment to growth found in Mayfair's leadership as well as among the members. This commitment has been present at Mayfair throughout her years of existence. Mayfair truly desires to grow, and, therefore, they have been known as a thriving, active congregation of the Lord's people. Since coming here in 1979, it has been a privilege to share in this spirit and to enjoy and observe firsthand this atmosphere of growth. Over the past eleven years, Mayfair has grown approximately 100 members per year.

    God has placed his hand on the Mayfair Church, and under His oversight and providence the church continues to be given unbelievable opportunities. Our elders are growth-minded men with their decisions being made on the basis of a deep faith in our Lord's promises. Their decisions are growth decisions, and their wisdom has enabled the congregation to assimilate and implement the involvement of many members from different areas of Alabama and the United States. With the adoption of the ministry system in 1987, the programs and areas of service have multiplied and membership involvement has increased substantially.

  • Another contributing factor in Mayfair's growth is a love for souls exhibited in the many areas of outreach both locally and in faraway places. Mayfair has an outstanding history of mission work. We feel that the mission of the Lord's church is to save souls, and this has been exemplified in many mission campaigns involving teams of 50, 75 or 100 members. These efforts were conducted in areas where the church was either unknown or very small. This has instilled in us an urgency for the gospel of Christ. At the present time, our medical-mission team, consisting of about 50 members, participates in an annual campaign to Belize in Central American to a remote area where the church was established on the first campaign and where return trips are made to strengthen new Christians.

    The entire mission program is notable with those who are supported by the congregation enjoying long tenure. Currently, thirteen men are fully supported in our mission program. Also for eleven years, "Abundant Living," a weekly television program has been aired each Sunday morning to the Huntsville/Tennessee Valley area. The weekly response to this program is overwhelming, and many good prospects as well as several baptisms and restorations have come about as a result of this program.

  • Also a factor in Mayfair growth is the emphasis given to specific needs of families. Mayfair is known for an outstanding youth program. Many families come to Mayfair in order that their children may enjoy the spiritual emphasis given to that group.

    Not only is emphasis given to youth, but attention is given to all ages at Mayfair. Our young marrieds is one of the most well-organized of our groups, with two of our elders giving specific time to that area. Since the average age at Mayfair is only 37, it follows that this group would receive much emphasis, along with the early childhood departments composed of their babies and young children. Our annual Vacation Bible School is a highlight of the year, employing the learning center format and utilizing the talent among our teens and young adults.

    Mayfair also has an outstanding singles group, having begun this work long before many other congregations began this work.

    In conjunction with the attention given to all age groups, Mayfair employs a full-time counselor who heads up the Mayfair Family Services. This is a service for Mayfair members as well as for the community, serving in areas of marital, family and personal counseling. Mayfair was the first congregation east of the Mississippi to institute a program of this type eleven years ago.

    Mayfair continues to flourish with the involvement of hundreds in forty-four ministry areas, and the resounding cry is "Mayfair cares." In every area of work, the prime factor is care for others. Our Lord cared! We care! It is this servant attitude which results in the incredible strength and growth of this congregation.

    1 Gary Bradleyr's article was published in Church Growth 5 (October - December, 1990): 9.

    • Send comments to: webminister@webminister.com