Bob Merritt

Bob Merritt is the retired senior pastor of Eagle Brook Church in suburban Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, USA, a megachurch.

For the Australian writer and filmmaker known as Bob Merritt, see Robert J. Merritt.

Early life and education

Merritt's father was Calvin Merritt, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Neshannock Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. Bob Merritt attended Neshannock High School in the 1970s, then went to Bethel University in Arden Hills, Minnesota, where he obtained a master's degree in divinity. From 1983 to 1988 he was pastor of the Falun First Baptist Church in Falun, Wisconsin. He then went to Penn State University, where he earned a doctorate in speech communications in 1991.[1]

Ministry

Merritt became pastor of the First Baptist Church (Eagle Brook Church) of White Bear Lake in 1991. [2] [3] By 1997, when the church took its present name, average weekend attendance had grown to 1,400. [4] To encourage people who may have been turned off by the formality of other churches, Merritt deliberately gave Eagle Brook an informal atmosphere, with no stained glass, pews or altar.[5] Merritt attributes the healthy level of donations from his core congregation to the sense of mission in the church, the drive to reach as many people as possible and help them grow in their faith.[6] He also emphasizes the importance of providing more than just a place to hear music and listen to an inspiring or helpful message, but to also be active in the world community assisting the oppressed, poor and hungry.[7]

Leadership training

Merritt was an instructor at Bethel Virtual Seminary of Bethel University.[8]

Recognition

In 2006 he was named Bethel Seminary Alumnus of the Year for his work in guiding the church through explosive growth and reaching out to people who had been lost to the church.[9]

Bibliography
  • Bob Merritt (2011). When Life's Not Working: 7 Simple Choices for a Better Tomorrow. Baker Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-8010-1378-2.

References
  1. "Where Eagles Soar" (PDF). The Globe Leader. New Wilmington, PA. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  2. Jean Hopfensperger, Thousands flock to Eagle Brook megachurch as pastor retires, startribune.com, USA, March 2, 2020
  3. Meredee Berg, Bob Merritt: ‘Truth and Love Must Go Together’, outreachmagazine.com, USA, October 4, 2017
  4. Strickler, Jeff (July 19, 2008). "What makes a gigachurch go?". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  5. Allen, Martha Sawyer (February 7, 1999). "Religion for the masses". Star Tribune (Minneapolis). Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  6. Joe Kimball (October 21, 2008). "Religious groups keeping the faith on finances but worry about agencies that help needy". MinnPost. Archived from the original on August 18, 2010. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  7. "World Vision Experience: AIDS – Step Into Africa" (PDF). World Vision. January 12, 2010. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  8. "Accomplished Professional Instructors". Bethel Virtual Seminary. Archived from the original on June 16, 2010. Retrieved August 21, 2010.
  9. "Bob Merritt is Bethel Seminary Alumnus of the Year". Campus News. Bethel University. Winter 2006. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
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