- April 28, 2024
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Chris Magnell doesn’t think of himself as a person to watch, but after first arriving at Christ Lutheran Church in late 2009, he has had his hand in dropping the median age of his congregation by close to 20 years. And the congregation continues to grow and drop in age each year.
(For the full list of WHAT TO WATCH IN 2014, click here.)
“My mission was simple,” he said. “Reach younger people.”
That’s how a church sustains itself, Magnell said. During the transformation, the church has added a contemporary service, a youth group and Sunday school classes.
They also host a monthly beach service, weekly services at Windsor, Benton Village and Las Palmas.
“Even though younger is the target, we are growing in all directions,” Magnell said.
Part of the new ministries and new energy at Christ Lutheran Church is a vital partnership with other churches in Flagler County.
“I’m excited for what other churches are doing,” he said. “We want to be able to bless what others are doing, and we believe that they will bless us as well, when we are doing something no one else is.”
But aside from being a pastor, Magnell said he really just sees himself as a Palm Coast resident. He is a member of the Family Promise Board, Flagler County Runners, a local Ragnar team and helps coach an all-star football team, the Atlantic Storm. Magnell also serves as a chaplain and major in the Army National Guard.
“I think that I see my role as a pastor is not just pastoring my church, but being involved in the community as a whole, because it’s more than one church,” he said.
In the upcoming year, Christ Lutheran Church is starting a Wednesday night outreach, which will include a meal and a short worship service with age-specific programing. Magnell said they are hoping to continue to grow their off-site outreaches, but most importantly, he wants to see them build greater, concrete partnerships with other churches.
“My hope is for people in Flagler to connect with a church — it doesn’t matter if it’s my church,” Magnell said. “We’re pretty casual, not fancy. We have a beautiful building, but it’s in a strip mall. There is a right church for everyone in Flagler County, and they just need to find it.”
Christian Magnell Fast Facts
Occupation: Pastor, Christ Lutheran Church, Christpalmcoast.org
Age: 40
Family: wife, Mary Ann; children, Wesley, 12; Margaret, 5
Fun fact: He is a badger (University of Wisconsin alumnus)
