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The Austin American-Statesman Ministry Ending Outreach - Group geared to Generation X grew beyond its purpose, founder says By: Kim Sue Lia Perkes After four years, Central Texas' largest ecumenical ministry for Generation X is calling it quits. Austin Metro will disband after a farewell bash tonight at Hyde Park Baptist Church. The weekly ministry, which grew from 30 people to an average attendance of 700 who gather to share in contemporary Christian music and hear a message based on Scripture, has served its purpose, said Austin Metro founder Todd Phillips, an evangelist and seminarian. ``The singular purpose of this ministry has always been to share Christ with those people who don't know him,'' Phillips said. ``Metro is not a church, and it never will be.'' Its popularity was its undoing. In a recent survey, Phillips said, Metro organizers discovered that 20 percent of those involved in the group were not attending church. When the ministry started, it was one of the first large-scale efforts to attract 18- to 35-year-olds to Christianity, and one of its goals was to direct those people into local churches, Phillips said. Metro organizers also wanted the group's success to signal to churches that young people are hungry for ministries to call their own, and recently Generation X ministries have sprung up in churches throughout Central Texas. With the end of Austin Metro, Phillips said he expects its followers to filter into local churches -- including the 20 percent who do not have a church home. ``Because we do not offer biblical fellowship, accountability or discipleship, it can be very dangerous if people start to rely on us to meet their spiritual needs,'' said Matt Morris, one of the group's lead organizers. ``We don't want this to happen.'' ``It's kind of bittersweet,'' said Ronnie Eldridge, another leader in the group. ``I think Austin, in general, is in dire need of this ministry.'' But he said he has enough faith in God that the work will go on even without Austin Metro. Phillips delivered the news about closing the ministry three weeks ago. The usual jovial and upbeat crowd that rocks for Jesus with the nine-piece Austin Metro band sat with mouths agape as Phillips told them it was time to close the doors. ``I know this is a hit beyond all hits for many of you,'' Phillips told the crowd. He later led them in prayer, saying, ``Father, most of all I pray we don't see this as any kind of an ending but as a beginning.'' Marnie Allbright wiped away tears. ``It was such an incredible thing, '' she said of the group. ``It was awesome.'' ``It shocked us all,'' Jeff Jordan said after the announcement. Most people, including Jordan, said they supported the decision, although some questioned Phillips' reasons for ending the ministry. ``It's a little bit overwhelming, but I understand he has to prepare for the baby,'' Kelly Larson said. Phillips and his wife, Julie -- who met at Austin Metro -- are expecting their first child. Phillips started Austin Metro with the support of Hyde Park Baptist Church, which offered free use of its sanctuary for the weekly meetings and gave Phillips office space. Phillips moved last year from Austin to San Antonio, where he attends the satellite campus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also heads San Antonio Metro. He has commuted to Austin each week but said the travel wasn't a reason for ending Austin Metro. ``Austin Metro is the most significant, the most important ministry in my life,'' he said. ``My hometown is here. . . . This is the hardest thing I've ever done.'' Closing Event: Austin Metro's final event will start at 7:30 tonightp.m. todaytue at Hyde Park Baptist Church, 3901 Speedway. After Austin Metro, an independent, interdenominational ministry, closes its doors, participants can turn to Austin churches to fill the void. Area churches with Generation X ministries include Hyde Park, World of Pentecost, Bannockburn Baptist Church, First Evangelical Free Church, Gateway Community Church, Great Hills Baptist Church, Hill Country Bible Church, Westover Hills Church of Christ and Vineyard Christian Fellowship.
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