The New Garden Church in Hermitage, Tennessee, is redefining the traditional Church of Christ by embracing innovation while staying true to its roots. Emerging from the closure of the Hermitage Church of Christ, a congregation established in the 1940s, New Garden aims to reach a new generation with the Gospel through a more inclusive and community-focused approach.
From Decline to Renewal
The Hermitage Church of Christ once thrived, with attendance peaking at over 800 members by the late 20th century. However, like many churches, it faced a steady decline by the 2010s. As membership dwindled and the cost of maintaining their aging facility became unsustainable, the congregation decided to close its doors in 2018 and sold its property for $1.65 million.
Rather than fade into obscurity, the Hermitage congregation chose to reinvest in the future. They allocated some of the proceeds to various ministries and used $100,000 to launch the New Garden Church, including renovating a middle school auditorium where the new congregation would gather for the next five years.
A New Expression of Faith
New Garden Church is not your typical Church of Christ. The congregation, which averages 70 attendees on Sundays, actively engages in community service, from organizing mobile grocery giveaways to providing back-to-school supplies for local students. The church’s leadership, including Michael Clinger and his wife Madeline, emphasizes a positive message: they want to be known for what they support, not what they oppose.
Their services reflect this ethos. Both men and women participate in worship leadership, and instrumental music is a regular part of their gatherings. These changes have raised concerns among more traditional Church of Christ leaders, like Phil Sanders, who believe that such innovations stray from Scriptural teachings.
However, others, including retired Bible professor and expert on the Restoration Movement John Mark Hicks, see New Garden as a legitimate evolution of the Church of Christ tradition. He views the congregation as a continuation of the Restoration Movement, adapting to modern needs while maintaining key elements like believer’s baptism and the weekly Lord’s Supper.
Embracing the Future
As part of its evolution, New Garden recently became a branch campus of Nashville’s Woodmont Hills Church, strengthening its resources and community impact. While some may question its methods, New Garden’s commitment to its mission is clear. As executive director Bruce Bates of Kairos Church Planting notes, innovation is essential for fulfilling the Great Commission in today’s world.
Still, the debate continues. For some, New Garden represents a necessary adaptation to reach the next generation. For others, it signifies a departure from the foundational principles that once defined the Church of Christ.
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Why a Tennessee congregation sold its building and moved into a school
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