What is Rooftop?
We’re a (relatively) new church in the St. Louis area with the goal of reaching out to our fellow St. Louisans with the love and truth of God presented in a contemporary, relevant, and compassionate way. We’re trying to “do church” in a way that will make the message of Christianity accessible to as many people as possible, but especially to those who’ve never had a meaningful connection to a local church.
What’s with the name?
No, we don’t meet on a rooftop. (People have asked.) It’s a metaphor. A rooftop is a place where people go to share very important messages. Jesus introduced the phrase, “shout it from the rooftops”, when he told his disciples to shout from the rooftops all that he had whispered in their ears about God’s love. (That’s from Matthew 10:27). We want to be a church that shares the love of God with the people of St. Louis, even if that means taking it to the rooftops so all can hear.
How’d you guys get started?
In the mid-1990s, a group of students at Truman State University in Kirksville, MO started talking about the possibility of starting a new church in St. Louis. (Most of us were from the metro area.) As we talked to others, we began to feel that the idea might really have some merit. Over the next several years God brought together a group of about 40 people or so—both TSU students and non-TSU students—to make it happen. He also provided the leadership and funding that we needed to put it together. And here we are…
Are you part of a denomination?
Nope. We are a non-denominational church. (Or inter-denominational, as some people call it.) We were started by several organizations that provided invaluable financial, spiritual, and practical support—organizations which included the Midwest Baptist Conference and the Emerging Leadership Initiative. Since then God’s led us into a non-denominational existence while maintaining valuable relationships to these organizations. We’re also a member of the Willow Creek Association of Churches, which is a group of like-minded churches that are committed to reaching lost people around the world.
What do you believe?
Our theology can be best described as Bible-based. (For a full statement of our beliefs, click here.) In other words, we believe that God has given us his Word in the Bible. What we do and who we are flows out of what we discover therein.
Can I bring my kids?
Of course you can. Currently Rooftop is providing quality children’s programs for infants through fifth-graders. As our children grow and as we can make space available, we’ll be adding classes for older kids. But for now you can know that we take seriously our responsibility of lovingly sharing God’s truth with your children, just as we take seriously lovingly sharing God’s truth with anyone.
Why’d you move the church to Affton?
Rooftop met for four-and-a-half years in the Richmond Heights Community Center, close to the Galleria. We knew our time at the Community Center was limited, though, as we kept running out of space and rooms to rent. After years of looking for an alternative meeting space, we found a church building 10 minutes south of the Community Center in Affton, MO. After a lot of prayer and discussion concerning the pros and cons, we bought the property and prepared to make Affton our home for as long as God has us there.
Who’s in charge of this thing?
Rooftop’s got a Lead Pastor, Matt Herndon, who started the church with some family and friends in the spring of 2001. Matt and his wife, Michele, are both from the St. Louis area (Matt, Parkway North and Michele, Webster Groves) and both graduated from Truman State. (Matt also attended seminary at Bethel Seminary in St. Paul.) Rooftop also has two full-time associate pastors who help to oversee the various parts of the church. Additionally, Rooftop is led by over a dozen ministry leaders in charge of all sorts of activities and church ministries. Finally (and most importantly), Rooftop is ultimately overseen by a group of godly men called “elders,” who are in charge of guiding the church spiritually and making the most strategic decisions related to the direction of the church.
How can I get involved?
Any way you can. First thing to do is fill out an information card at the service or contact us through the web site. Someone should then contact you. You can also attend one of our regular “Floor Meetings”. Floor Meetings are staff-led, teaching and discussion meetings designed to provide a better view of doing church and more importantly how God may be leading you to plug in at Rooftop. And make sure you consider getting involved in a SMALL GROUP or STUDY GROUP—it’s the way to get involved around here, as well as the best way to grow in your faith. Rooftop also holds a wide variety of events throughout the year for anyone to come and make connections as well as have a great time.
What’s a Small Group?
A small group is a, well…small group of between 6 and 12 people that meet regularly for study, community-building, recreation, and prayer. Small groups are led by members of the Rooftop leadership and meet in homes, restaurants, or coffee shops—anyplace they can. It’s the way to get to know people here at Rooftop, and the way to grow in your faith. Rooftop also offers a variety of topical study groups at several points throughout the year. They typically last only a few months and have a deeper focus on teaching, though the other components of small groups are not entirely lost.
Why do church so differently? What’s wrong with traditional church?
If you’ve been to a Rooftop service on Sunday morning, you know it’s not “typical church.” The music is louder, we use lots of video, and it’s incredibly laid-back and casual. We’re quite untraditional. This isn’t because we understand traditional church as unbiblical or “wrong.” We simply feel called to reach out to St. Louis using less-traditional tools and strategies, in ways that might attract those disconnected from the traditional church.
Do I have to be religious to come?
Goodness, no. Rooftop is a place for those seeking God at whatever station in life they’re at. In fact, we try intentionally to keep our services accessible, so that non-religious, normal people can understand what’s going on. We hope, obviously, you get more interested in God as you keep checking us (and Him) out. But you can hang out as long as you want.
When will you have youth programs available? Or community service opportunities? Or basket-weaving classes?
In young churches, new programs and opportunities come very slowly. As soon as possible we’d like to have opportunities for youth, and tutoring programs, and discussion groups. (And even those interested in basket-weaving.) So as things get rolling, more programs will be added. (Maybe even with your help. If you’re interested, drop us a line.)