As with numerous communities in America, many of Tukwila’s congregations began as neighborhood churches, usually connected with a denomination.  Most of the members lived close-by.  Following World War II Tukwila churches experienced growth in the Golden 50’s.  Since that time, though, a number of factors have combined to significantly change the landscape of the Tukwila congregations:

• With the ascendancy of automobile travel, coupled with a great increase in the number of apartments, the membership of local congregations became less connected with Tukwila residency.  For example, many who began attending a local congregation while living in a nearby apartment, would continue worshipping here after moving to a neighboring city. 

• Beginning with the social upheaval of the 60’s, a variety of forces (e.g. cultural, technological) were unleashed that would cause significant changes in the way Americans live and think.  Riding the wave of these changes and adapting to them, the culture of the Church in general changed in some positive ways.  For example, patterns of worship became more participatory and relevant to the culture.  Denominationalism weakened with a corresponding increase in different congregations in a community being open to work together.  Tukwila has reflected these positive trends, this Strategic Plan being an evidence of the fact.   On the other hand, there are ways in which the Church in general has not adapted well to the massive cultural shift that has taken place.  For example, unwilling or unable to make needed adaptations to keep the gospel message relevant, some congregations, including here in Tukwila, have literally died off. 

• In the last 15 years there has been a dramatic demographic shift in our city.  Surrounding areas have been annexed into the city, creating a larger city with a unified school district.  At the same time we have seen a great increase in the number of minorities, as well as immigrants from numerous countries that have moved into Tukwila.  The Tukwila School District now has 60% of its students being students of color with over half of its students living in poverty.  Furthermore, it is a very transitory population, with a significant turnover each year.

• At least in part because of these demographic changes, in the last couple of years a host of new congregations has arisen in Tukwila.  Some of these are ethnic specific, allowing a particular group to worship in their native tongue and in their culturally preferred manner.  Others have come to specifically seek to become a multi-ethnic congregation.

While these various changes were occurring in the city of Tukwila, there have been some movements by the congregations to come together.  For example, a group of pastors and church leaders met for a period of time in the mid-nineties.  Some visible outgrowths of this connecting were some joint National Day of Prayer services along with two “Light Against Crime” services.  The latter events were held in conjunction with the national “Night Against Crime” emphasis by police departments.  Two services were held at the Foster High School football stadium.  The public was invited and many congregations were represented.

Such examples as these give evidence that Tukwila congregations working together is not a new concept.  It has happened before and even without any strategic plan would probably happen again.  What is envisioned as new in this Strategic Plan for the Church of Tukwila is a cooperative effort on the part of the Tukwila congregations that is more sustained in duration and is addressed in a more intentional manner by both leaders and the grassroots.  In addition, the Church of Tukwila would be less driven by particular events at particular times.  Rather, driven more by biblical purposes, events would be a by-product of the movement, just one manifestation of the Church of Tukwila at work.

Therefore, we might see these examples from recent years as giving just a taste of what the Church of Tukwila could become and also give evidence that the current desire of many to see a more tangible and functioning Church of Tukwila has not arisen out of a vacuum.  Many have been praying for a great advancement of the Kingdom of God in our community, and being aware that such an advancement could not be made by one congregation alone, or by congregations working in isolation, have been praying for greater unity among the Tukwila churches.

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