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Bayside Church new to Auburn
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Bayside Church has come to Auburn.
The name might be more familiar at the south end of Placer County — Granite Bay is home to the first of what is now an ever-growing family of churches.
Sonrise Church, currently worshiping at Auburn Seventh-day Adventist Church, is excited to be the newest addition to the family.
In taking on a new name — Bayside Auburn — the church previously known as Sonrise has become Bayside’s 10th congregation.
The changes are for the better, said Paul Harman, Bayside Auburn leadership team chairman and a seven-year member of the Auburn congregation.
“We are really joining resources with Bayside,” Harman said after a Sunday morning service. “Giving up the name is nothing. We don’t worship the name, we worship Jesus. We want people to know it’s a place to change your heart, change your outlook.”
The church previously known as Sonrise has been around since 1996, and Senior Pastor Gene Maynard has been with the church the last two years.
“Preceding me, Bayside and Sonrise have known each other,” he said following Sunday services. “They just had a good back and forth going on.”
Discussion of whether or not Sonrise would make a good Bayside Church began at the start of the year, Maynard said.
Jim Holst is outreach pastor for Bayside Church in Granite Bay and is also Bayside’s church plant director, overseeing recruitment, both in planting and adopting churches.
The process with getting to know what is now Bayside Auburn began with getting to know Maynard and attending Sonrise services, Holst said. Congregation members in leadership roles were asked to submit surveys on the church’s strengths and weaknesses.
“The reality was, they love Gene to death, he’s a great leader, a great communicator, basically all the things we want a congregation to feel about their senior pastor,” Holst said of Maynard.
Bayside extended the invitation to Sonrise after determining the two churches shared many of the same values.
“We consider it a family and if you adopt somebody in your family you want them to have the same mission,” Holst said. “We voted and said ‘yes’ to them and they voted to say ‘yes’ to us.”
Sonrise officially adopted the name of Bayside Auburn in June.
Bayside’s Granite Bay church is the first, and largest — an average weekend of services draws 9,000 to 10,000 people — in the Bayside Church family.
Bayside’s vision of church planting — opening churches in outlying communities — came from Senior Pastor Ray Johnston about three years ago.
“It’s been a very young movement but we’ve been able to see some serious growth,” Holst said. “We’re looking for churches that are similar, not really in style but similar in philosophy and mission,” Holst said.
The second largest Bayside is the South Sacramento church, which brings in approximately 2,200 people each weekend. Attendance between the 10 churches is 14,000-15,000 per weekend.
Bayside Auburn is the second existing church to take on Bayside’s name — the first was Bayside Placerville — and the rest of the church sites started from scratch, Holst said.
Maynard is now among the group of senior pastors meeting twice a month.
“Our hope is that we’re all equals around the table and everybody has one vote,” Holst said. “Every one of these pastors has different strengths that they bring to the table. Everybody’s better because of everybody else in that room.”
This excites Maynard.
“Here’s a chance for two churches — Bayside and Sonrise — to come together and work together in a complementary way,” he said. “What I love about their pastors is the sense of willingness to share what they know. I haven’t experienced that with many other churches. Being able to work in tandem with some like-minded pastors — I like that.”
In joining the Bayside family, churches are still able to keep their original structure and identity.
“We call them independent, autonomous churches that have our DNA,” Holst said.
Maynard shared the same idea.
“They wanted to be assured that the important decisions for our church got set here,” he said of Bayside officials.
That said, Bayside churches are asked to submit their goals and budget for review, and every church does give to the Bayside name, which can be used as seed money for building future Baysides, Holst said.
“Our goal is that we will plant 200 churches on the West Coast by 2020,” he said. “We think the timing is right, and we also feel we have a responsibility.”
While Bayside Auburn has thrived at Auburn Seventh-day Adventist Church site, the congregation is anxiously awaiting a move into its own home, an existing retail space located at 450 Nevada St. A series of grand openings are planned in alignment with the move out to Nevada Street, which Maynard hopes will happen in the fall.
“We can have our own footprint,” he said.
Becoming a Bayside will help the Auburn congregation accelerate its goals, which include community outreach and extending itself to the un-churched foothills population.
“I think it’s going to up the excellence in our church,” Maynard said. “I think it’s exciting.”
Riley Armstrong, Bayside Auburn’s creative arts director, is also excited about the change.
“Here’s what won’t change — it’s a church that is friendly, welcoming, loves people and really wants to be authentic,” Armstrong said Sunday. “What will change — there’s going to be a lot of newness. It’s collecting people and having everyone in the same vision — that’s different. It gives us a good opportunity to regroup and unify again.”
Being part of a bigger church family is promising, Armstrong said.
“What makes me most excited is that we’ll still be unique, we’ll still be us, and I’m also excited by the anticipation, big or small, that God is doing something here,” he said.
Read more about what Senior Pastor Gene Maynard thinks about the change from Sonrise to Bayside means here.
The Journal’s Loryll Nicolaisen can be reached at lorylln@goldcountrymedia.com.
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Well, I have news for you...
They're already here.
They opened a women's shelter in Applegate some time ago, in a residential neighborhood, far away from public transit, parks, shopping.
Why ? to hide the poor from their wealthy neighbors down in Roseville.
Coming to Auburn is just going to spread the dumping of the poor in our area.
Why don't they use their money for helping these individuals in the areas they live ?
It compounds the tragedy of poverty to move someone from their homeland to another area.
Starting over is hard enough but to do it in unfamiliar and useless territory is not compassionate.
Sonrise Church has been in Auburn for many years, we are just changing our name as we are now associated with the Bayside Family of churches. We will continue to do the same things that we have done for years - our association with Bayside Church just makes us stronger as an overall body. Our charatible activities, that benefit the people of the Auburn community, will still continue - our summer concerts will still continue (the next one is August 16th at 7 p.m. at the Auburn Library Garden Theater), we will still support the Auburn Interfaith Food Closet, do Backyard Summber Bible, and reach out to the elderly and hurting of the Auburn area (and around the world).
With regard to Acres of Hope, the center for women and children in Applegate, I called and got a few facts to help set the record straight. IIt is not a Bayside facility - although they (and many, many other churches and businesses) helped it get started. It is an independent, spiritually-based renewal center for women and children where families can stay for up to 2 years for free while they get back on their feet. It is not simply a shelter- it has a four-step program to help these women regain their independence while, at the same time, providing a safe place for their children (and for them to be a family). These are not the "poor of Roseville" - there are women from all around the region. You do not have be a Christian to go there - and the women who come there are referred by a wide variety of organizations. Acres of Hope fills a desperate need in the community - and results in changed lives (for both the women and children). I encourage you to check out their web-site www.acresofhopeonline.org for more information. From what I can tell, it is an organization that is certainly compassionate, caring, and helpful.
Bayside Auburn (formerly Sonrise Church) strives to be a church that is a "safe haven" for everyone in the Auburn area - where everyone is loved and accepted. We'd love to have you come join us - and see for yourself. Our services are currently at the Seventh Day Adventist Church (which is just north of the Target) in Auburn - we meet every Sunday morning at 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. I hope to see you there.
Ann_Olsen, Nice plug in for your church. It's too bad that you and all the other churches don't have to pay TAXES so you and the government "can provide a spiritually based renewal center" for families who have been OUT OF WORK for up to 2 years. So you "can provide a spiritually based renewal canter for up to 2 years free while they get back on they're feet." All the while providing "summer concerts" and Sunday morning services at 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. to get "donations" from Joe public make up your costs. And, "you don't have to be a Christian to go there", just bring money. You reek of hypocricy.
Dear Analysit -
I want to address your comments. First, I do pay taxes a lot of them - both as an individual and through my small business. I am not on staff at Bayside Auburn. As I mentioned in my first comment, Acres of Hope is not affiliated with any church (Bayside Granite Bay or Bayside Auburn or any other church). They receive support from many churches and businesses.
I also did not say that the people of Acres of Hope were out of work, in fact, some of the women there are employed and Acres of Hope has, as part of their four step plan, a stage that develops work skills to that they can take that step out into the work force. I know this because I called this morning and asked.
I've been attending Bayside Auburn (formerly Sonrise Church) for over 8 years, and we welcome you there. Not to get your "donation" as you state it - in fact, we purposefully ask visitors NOT to donate. I do understand that many people think that churches are places where you are judged and they just want you for your money. I was one of those people for many years. But at Bayside Auburn, I have never, ever felt pressured to give money. I just feel loved and accepted. Please, before you judge our church please come see for yourself.
I'm sorry that you felt that my words were hypocritical. That certainly wasn't my intent, I was just trying to portray what I feel is a fair picture of the church that I am so fond of. I'm sorry if I offended you.
Analyst...Hmmm...I didn't read Ann's comment as a plug for the church, I saw it as a response to the original comments made.I saw it as more bringing out language of fact verses language of affection which was originally portayed. Too often comments are made without the factual information, possibly one persons view from a filtered experience in the past. "Hide the poor from thier wealthy neighbors in Roseville". Sounds like some plan from the Dark Knight movie just released this past week.
It's too bad that such hatred (stemmed from fear and an unwillingness to gather factual information) exists. It makes no sense to me why the anger towards an organization (acres of hope) or a church would be so strong when they are helping those that need it. My how we twist the truth.
The fact that Acres of Hope is 'hiding the poor" is such a mis-statement that you should be embarrassed to say that, and shows arrogance/pride/selfishness in a form that is rarely seen around your friends but rather "hidden" yourself through these comments. Did you realize what element was in that facility that Acres of Hope cleaned it up? The people living there before Acres of Hope arrived were drug users and the place was a mess - and no one was getting help.
Do you know where the Acres of Hope families come from? Some in Auburn, some Colfax, some Roseville and all around our region. One would have to live a very sheltered and priveleged life to really believe the poor aren't already in our area. Seems quick to judge and state that the families are being removed from their homeland to another area. I think there's probably much more to the story than you're willing to investigate.
The people supporting Acres of Hope are individual people who believe in the cause - barely any money comes from churches - but rather from the people living next door or down the street from you. It's people who have a heart that support these kinds of organizations and will be rewarded one day for their efforts to reach beyond themselves.
Regarding Sonrise Church, I don't attend, so this isn't a plug. But hats off to them for reaching out in ways that their 'tax-exempt status allows them too. The government is tax-exempt but you'll never see the effectiveness such as what the private sector and churches can do - and with great results. The fact that they're tax-exempt has nothing to do with the conversation but a great way for someone to attack the good being done by jumping on their soap box just to yell. If you have a complaint, it should come with a solution - but it seems to be just yelling without any effectiveness to resolve the complaint.
Neither the church or the Acres of Hope organization are harming you or your life - yet you have such misguided anger and judgement fuming from your life that you must release it somewhere. If that's your only recourse, then so be it...but shame on you.
What denomination is this, exactly? Is it one of those so-called "Christian" churches, where no one is sure what their theology is and they don't have a normal church heirarchy to keep them in line? Just curious.
What this looks like to me is the franchising of churches, and a buy out. I can't even imagine going to a church that has 10,000 members.
Dear GreenBeans -
Our denomination is actually techinally different than that of Bayside Granite Bay - but demonination is really not that important to us - Jesus is. But we have a very strong governance structure. Bayside Auburn is governed by a Leadership Team comprised of about 8 individuals who keep the church "in line" by providing direction on the policies, practices, and overall direction of the church. I am not on this team, but know each of the individuals - and they are all intelligent and hard-working people who come from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. In addition to setting the "vision" for the church, they keep the staff accountable (through the senior pastor) in al areas.
I agree with your comment regarding attending a church which has 10,000 people coming to it each week. I'm not sure that it would be for me either - but it obviously works for a lot of people! Bayside Auburn church probably averages about 600 to 700 people each week (including children in Sunday School and youth at the junior high and high school services). The great thing about our size is that it is small enough so that you can make genuine connections with other people (especially if you get involved and/or join a small group where you really get to know people well) but is is also large enough to have things like adult Sunday School ministries, neat programs that benefit the community, special services for children, etc.
I hope that answers your questions.
Ann_Olson, first, I apologize for misspelling your name previously. Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. I was not refering to the people you house being out of work, I was refering to the thousands of Americans being out of work due to the economic downturn. If the churches paid taxes, the government would have trillions of dollars to help us. The churches are tax exempt because they are considered a no profit organization and because they do "good works". Baloney! The churches don't pay any income tax from donations, and because you can deduct you donation from your taxes, that's double the burden on the government. The churches don't pay any property tax and they DO make a profit. So, who makes up for this money? Me, the taxpayer. Why should I have to pay for your church with a government subsidy when I don't use the facilities. The Catholic church is the biggest land owner in the world. Talk about the biggest scam ever. I have an idea, if your such a loving and giving organization why don't you give me a check every month for the next 2 years so I can make my mortgage until my out of work husband can get a job, and I won't burden you with having to house me. And don't get me wrong, my husband is not a loser, he's a general contractor caught in the economy.
biggerpic, You didn't see a plug for the church? Why else would Ms. Olson state the name, place and time of services, then say "we'd love to have you come join us"?
myvoice, "what element was in that facility"? "acres of hope cleaned it up"? Did acres of hope help the drug users or just kick them out? "Barely any money comes from churches...." ISN'T THAT THE POINT OF TAX EXEMPT CHURCHES, TO GIVE MONEY TO THE NEEDY!!! Hypocricy!!!! My solution? churches should pay taxes.
Ann_Olson, you didn't answer my question about denomination, you just made things more muddled, proving my point that your church is a generic "Christian" church, which means nothing. A denomination is a "brand name" if you will, so that if you see a Methodist or a Catholic church, you have a pretty good idea of what their service will be like, just like if you buy Pillsbury flour instead of Joe's flour. That is not to say that all Methodist or Catholic churches are exactly alike, but every mainstream religion has governing boards, leadership councils, bishops and so forth. A "leadership team" of eight people is nothing.
I think Analyst has a good point about tax-free status and the franchising of mega-churches shows it for what it is. Instead of pushing burgers and fries, they are in the "God business," and you betcha they are making money.
Tell me, Ann, are your members encouraged to tithe? So take ten percent multiplied by the income of 10,000 people in Granite Bay, and no wonder they can afford to come to Auburn and buy out a church.
Dear GreenBeans -
You are right - I did not specifically answer your question, and I apologize. Bayside Auburn is a Southern Baptist church while Bayside Granite Bay is a "Covenant" church. I hope that provides some clarity. In truth, a demonination does not necessarily tell you what a church service will be like. The Southern Baptist demonination is a great example, most people think that the services would be very conservative - when ours are just the opposite - a band on the stage with really rockin' music (our worship leader is amazing).
Our church does not make money - let me assure you of that. In fact, we struggle to make ends meet. We own NO property. I don't have enough information to get into a debate on benefits or disbenefits of ANY non-profit not paying taxes. Believe me, there are many non-profits out there that I disagree with their mission but they have the right to have non-profit status. I think that any church is the same way. And I would suggest that you spend a little time investigating the average amount of tithing that is given in this country - it is well less than 10% - probably closer to 2%, Our church may not even be doing that well (I don't know as this obviously is privlidged informtion) as we have many single parents, unemployed persons (a lot of people who work in the construciton, real estate, or mortage banking industry which has been hit so hard), and retired folks. It is very difficult for them to give anything - and no they are not pressured to give. Oh, and our church was not "bought out" - we are an autonomous organization which is associated with the Bayside Family of churches. We have separate financial records, etc - they do not support our day to day operations. I hope this provides more clarity and I apologize that I was not more clear the first time that I responded.
On a side not to Analyst, you asked in your latest post, "Why else would Ms. Olson state the name, place and time of services, then say "we'd love to have you come join us"? My answer was not to plug our church - although by reading it again I could see how you felt that way. It was simply to invite you to come join us some Sunday morning (and I thought that telling you when and where was important).
When I spoke of a wealthy church, I was referring to Bayside Granite Bay. GB is well known to be a very prosperous community and if the church has 10,000 members no one could convince me that they aren't making money. Maybe the merger was more advantageous for your church.
I don't like mega-churches, but this is America and you are free to worship as you choose.
Check this out.
www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/article
Churches can lose their tax exempt status for engaging in politics.
Every weekend, millions of Americans attend houses of worship to hear sermons, study scriptures and participate in other religious activities. If some politicians and Religious Right activists have their way, however, people in the pews might soon be doing other things during services listening to partisan political speeches, being solicited for campaign contributions and getting instructions about whom to vote for on Election Day
Tax exempt status is a privilege not a right. The claims that they don’t make money is
like their faith, if you believe and trust in God it must be true.
Churches buy and sell real estate, tax free, making huge profits in the commercial sector and operate amusement parks and build mega churches and they have the nerve to claim they make no money. Makes me sick that they don't support our government like every other business does with their taxes.
What would Jesus do?
First, Acres of Hope does help those who were former meth (and other substances) adicts. Second, regarding taxes and the church doing good works, you really should get your facts straight about the good works the church does do. It was my understanding that the considerable sum DONATED by many churches in the area (including Bayside Church) is why programs like Acres of Hope can exist and do good.
Next, if the issue were really about taxes, then we'd have to ask ourselves how those who collect our taxes utilize them. I've worked directly with government before and you'd be ashamed to see how often money is so misused and how the private sector can be much more effective with the same dollars. Whether it's through the government or through the community churches - the money does get spent out there and is doing great stuff around the community and the world.
You're right, there are some who misuse money donated to the church, but I think our need to point fingers has taken our eyes off the facts that underlie the work done by the churches. If the churches paid taxes, I gaurantee you that Auburn wouldn't see any of it, kind of like how the schools were going to benefit so much from lottery money? Hmmmm.
Denominations are a way of dividing the church - not unifying. I think Ann answered your question by saying that as soon as we get away from the denomination thing we can focus on why we're there, Jesus.
Regarding a large church, it's not for everyone. Small churches offer the intimate community environment but often lack the resources to do large scale community support (like providing seed money for Acres of Hope). However, large churches also have within themselves activities that one can get involved in smaller groups and/or personal interest groups to get the community feel. Not everyone attends church for the small community but rather to worship and get re-energized for the week.
You'll most certainly find plenty to complain about within the church because it's made up of people like you. The standards expected from the community at large often baffle my mind as to why you think that going to church makes someone on a different playing field - they are all just messed up sinners trying to grow and get it right one step at a time. Heaven forbid that they step on a landmine in the meantime and someone watching uses it to critique the church. Cool thing is that the church is for the sick, for the wounded, for those who believe they need a savior. Cooler than that is that it doesn't come close to portraying God - not on this earth. So whatever critiques you find (and there are many) please don't misunderstand that for God. It's easy for critics to exist. It doesn't take much talent to judge. It takes much restraint to love and I have to say my response yesterday wasn't out of love but anger and defensiveness for the good the church does in trying to love Jesus. However, God convicted my heart in church yesterday (not Bayside or Bayside of Auburn) that my response was hasty. I don't want to be critical but just hurt so much that someone would talk such trash without knowing the facts.
Please get involved with the leaders at either of those churches and ask your questions. I'd be willing to bet that they'd love to answer your questions - if they really are questions. The Bible says that if you seek Him, you'll find Him. So if you really want answers to your questions, ask. If you just want to complain then I guess I'm finished with this thread. May God bless you in your search.
One more thing, let me clarify BETTER than I did before about money not going to Acres of Hope from churches. Churches do give to Acres of Hope, but the significant amount came as seed money. It's the people within the church and even many not in the church who support them. Churches have budgets and many of those budgets do help those out of work. The focus of many churches is to host classes, events, and things that promote the family, provide direction, counseling, and many other things to the community at no charge. Again, get involved and you'll see the many things that each church does. Every church has its own personality, like families, and the church itself determines what their interests are. Some do more local outreach, some do international outreach, but the common factor is that they all give back to their community. If you don't like what churches do, you can still be involved and not attend. Those who give to the church do it because they believe in the work being done there, often times it was done for them first and they are giving back to something that helped them.
I'm sorry your husband is out of work. I've been there before and it's very scarry. But the church and Acres of Hope (and entities like those) aren't to blame. You're hurting and for good reason. You and your family are in my prayers.
Chunga, they found a loophole. And the sad thing is, the IRS is the one who decides if the churches are involved in politics, they can pull their tax exempt status. But they do not enforce it. And what happened to separation of church and state? Why is the government subsidizing churches with our tax dollars, while the pastors build multi million dollar homes in the exclusive Vinyards subdivision here in Auburn, or other high dollar properties? It's another great big fat scam!
myvoice, I am quite aware of how our government abuses our money. Churches are just as guilty. We all know the facts, they're just not the facts you want us to know. Tell me, myvoice, how do you or your pastor put food on the table if you're only in it for the good of mankind. NOBODY DOES SOMETHING FOR NOTHING. I have no doubt that you do good things, you have to, to be tax exempt.
My question is, I want to see your income and expense documents. I want to see your bank account balances.
Regarding my husband, I absolutely am not blaming the church or acres of hope. Life happens. The difference is we don't hide our heads in a hole and pray to an imaginary WHATEVER. We toughen up, put our nose to the grindstone and get out and get as much work as we can to stay afloat. We're making it and we didn't have to pray to do it. It still would be nice if you could pay our mortgage for the next 2 years, since you're such a kind, giving, there for the sick, the wounded and the down on their luck kind of people. But you won't do that because we don't put money in your collection plate.
And "they are all just messed up sinners trying to....." you are preying on the weak minded who have no direction, and once they get on their feet (which they could have done in the first place if they just toughened up) they will leave you their life savings because you saved them. BIGGEST SCAM EVER INVENTED!
wow, lots of distractions here
Ann_Olson - you ay taxes as an individual, yet someone was asking about the church - not you. Then you mentioned you also pay for your small business, is that admitting that churches are businesses or are you again trying to dodge/deflect ? As for faith based and not religiously slanted - I see those as mutually exclusive. I do feel though, that you can plug your church in the comments, that is perfectly fine by me.
Chunga, I agree that we need to get the politics out of churches ! The democrats have politiced every black churhc for decades. Look at Princes Obama's church for one. Not only polotics but racism. Glad we are in agreement finally. Welcome to the club, although it is possibly the only thing we have in common so far.
common_sense, touche!