Christian Community Church, Naperville, IL (Saturday night)
Dave Ferguson, Lead Pastor

Style? Simple Church – Causal Contemporary. Music a little to the folk side.
Distinguishing feature? “The Big Idea”

Every week at Community, we talk about one Big Idea: one biblical truth reinforced through teaching, music, theatre, video… whatever it takes to get that laser-focused theme into the heads and lives of our attendees. Students and kids learn the same Big Idea in a way that is appropriate for their age.

Anchors: Three ‘C’s – See website

Who should visit? Those wanting a system that is very reproducible.
Attendance: 2,000 at Naperville Yellow box, and 4,900 total at all sites.
They are a multi-site church (9 sites): one church that meets in many different locations all across Chicagoland and the Western Suburbs.
• Naperville Downtown
• Naperville Yellow Box — This is the campus I attended
• Romeoville
• Shorewood
• Montgomery
• Adult Community (Plainfield)
• Yorkville
• Pilsen (Chicago)
• Plainfield

Harvest Bible Chapel, Rolling Meadows (Sunday 9 am)

Dr James MacDonald, Sr. Pastor

Style? High energy worship with solid Bible teacher. Most demonstrative audience participation of the three.

Distinguishing features? Uses Choir, video testimony, very Bible centered preaching.

Anchors: Four pillars – See web site

Who should visit? Someone with a more traditional Pentecostal style which emphasizes Bible preaching.

Attendance: 5,500 at Rolling Meadows, 3,900 at Elgin, 1,200 at Niles and 1000 at Crystal Lake = 11,600
Four campuses
• Three services at our Rolling Meadows Campus–5:00 P.M. on Saturday, 9:00 and 11:15 A.M. on Sunday
• Three services at our Elgin Campus–5:00 P.M. on Saturday, 9:00 and 11:15 A.M. on Sunday (Sermons are usually simulcast from Rolling Meadows.)
• Four services at our Niles Campus–5:00 P.M. on Saturday, 8:00 A.M., 10:00 A.M., and 12:00 P.M. on Sunday (Sermons are simulcast from Rolling Meadows.)
• Two services at our Crystal Lake Campus–8:30 and 10:30 A.M. (Sermons are simulcast from Rolling Meadows.

Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, IL (Sunday 11:15 am)

Bill Hybels, Sr Pastor

Style? Contemporary with blended elements

Distinguishing Feature? Wonderful pre service visuals to prepare hearts, excellent integration of music, visuals, narrative scripture and prayer, solid teaching. Best integration of media and music.

Anchors: mission and five ‘G’s – See web site

Who should visit? Anyone wanting to see holistic service planning.
Attendance: 20,000 plus at Barrington plus other sites.
Five multisites
Guest speaker was Dave Ramsey and he was fantastic!