By Ryan Hecht, Greater Arvada Chamber VP of Marketing and Communications
Editor’s note: See bottom of post for details on the Member of the Month selection process and to nominate your business.
This month, we’re excited to highlight Altitude Church as our Member of the Month! With a long history dating back to 1887 and a recent move to Arvada in 2019, Altitude Church is making a meaningful impact on our community through worship services, youth outreach, and creative events. Lead Pastor Lee Brown shares more about their story, mission, and what it means to serve the Arvada community.
What do you find rewarding about this career?
Lee: “I have been the pastor here for 8 years. I love bringing hope into the community and into the lives of people who need to know how loved they are. I love what I do as a pastor and working in the city of Arvada. I see people at their best and their worst and help them navigate all the moments in between.”
What is unique about Altitude Church?
“We have weekly worship services at 10 AM every Sunday. We also have 6550 Coffee open on Sundays and Wednesdays (and for special events). We host a Farmer’s Market during the summer on Wednesday nights, and have groups and classes that run through the Fall and Winter. We also partner with the community in powerful ways. For example, we have hosted ‘Jesus Burgers’ for Arvada High School each of the last four years. Every Wednesday for lunch, we invite the students over to have a free meal and just hang out in our youth space and play basketball, pool, and more.
There are plenty of other events that happen throughout the year. Each year we’ve hosted a special Trunk or Treat on Halloween, we’ve done community movie nights, yearly Easter Egg hunts, and much more.”
What advice would you give to a new organization or entrepreneur in Arvada?
“Running any business is hard in this post-pandemic reality. With the current economic environment and the events happening on a global scale, it is difficult for any business to thrive. Even more so with a largely volunteer-based organization. Volunteerism nationally is at historic lows. Yet, when you have a mission that resonates with people and they see the good that is being done, people will still invest their hearts in what matters to them.
Secondly, I would say it is about commitment. Our team made the decision for our full-time pastoral staff to move to a multi-vocational path forward. As such, our pastors are setting the example by working in the community with other employment to help move the mission of the Church forward and inspire others to serve in the Church and in the community.”
What notable changes have occurred in the faith-based community since you started?
“Leading in Churches has dramatically changed in the last 20 years, and of course in the last 5 years even more so. In the 1990’s, we saw a peak in America for attendance, engagement, and giving. Around that time, the average church was nearing 200 in weekly attendance. In 2019, the average weekly attendance for most churches in America was around 60-80 people in an average week. In addition, attendance patterns changed to where the same congregation with the same people would appear 25% smaller just due to the lessened frequency of attendance.
The pandemic didn’t create any NEW trends, but it certainly accelerated what was already happening. As such, the average church in North America shrunk to about 67 people weekly, yet the needs for what the Church does have only risen. In short, every Church you see is likely trying to do the same (or in some cases more than) things it did 20 years ago, but with a much smaller roster to help.
That said, we are seeing a growth in the hunger people have to understand life and current realities through the lens of faith. Some of the old chains of ‘religion’ are gone, and people are learning to experience and truly encounter God in powerful ways.
Every church in North America is having to re-consider HOW we do what we do… but the exciting thing is WHY we exist, to bring the love and hope of God to people who need His presence, is stronger than ever.”
What have you learned about serving the people or Arvada?
“Serving people is always dependent upon the people who you come in contact with. Everyone is facing some unique battle in their lives, so they always need grace and hope. Each person you see is someone who God loves and who is fighting some great battle. When we gather together and grow together… our perspective of our own problems shifts. As we grow to where we know more and more how to work through our problems, our tests become the testimony that we can use to help someone else who is going through something we have learned to battle through.”
What is your favorite business book, podcast or news resource?
“I am a huge fan of the podcast ‘Rebuilders.'”‘ As far as a business book, perhaps the most transformational for me has been Simon Sinek’s “Start With Why.”
What have you found most valuable about your Greater Arvada Chamber membership?
“I love the community it brings and the interconnectedness it allows for.”
Altitude Church
(303) 458-8186
6550 Wadsworth, Arvada, CO 80003
The Greater Arvada Chamber Member of the Month is nominated and selected by our Business Services team. The Member of the Month recognizes active members that are deeply engaged in the Chamber’s programs and leadership; celebrating an important milestone, and/or; have a compelling story worthy of a spotlight to our community. Please submit nominations for your business or non-profit at this link.
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