# Substance Church

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Substance_Church
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Substance_Church.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substance_Church
> Source revision: 1303099163
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

**Substance Church** is a [nondenominational](/source/Nondenominational), [Evangelical Christian](/source/Evangelical_Christian), [megachurch](/source/Megachurch) in [Minneapolis–Saint Paul](/source/Minneapolis%E2%80%93Saint_Paul), [Minnesota](/source/Minnesota), United States. In 2010, *[Outreach Magazine](/source/Outreach_Magazine)* ranked the church as the 21st fastest growing congregation in the United States (8th in terms of growth percentages).[1] Because the church has integrated ultra-contemporary worship, [cell church](/source/Cell_church), and [cafe church](/source/Cafe_church) methods into a singular megachurch setting, Substance is often cited as being "trend-setting".[2]

## History

The church was founded in 2004 by Pastor Peter Haas in partnership with the [Association of Related Churches](/source/Association_of_Related_Churches).[3] In May 2005, the church began holding Sunday services in the University of Minnesota on the Saint Paul campus. In 2015 and 2016, after numerous re-locations, Substance acquired permanent facilities in [Spring Lake Park](/source/Spring_Lake_Park,_Minnesota) and the [Historic Wesley](/source/Wesley_United_Methodist_Church_(Minneapolis,_Minnesota)) building in downtown [Minneapolis](/source/Minneapolis). They have since launched multiple campuses internationally, such as their Monterrey Mexico location. And in 2025, Substance acquired the property of former [Bethany Global University](/source/Bethany_Global_University) the original location of [Bethany House Publishing](/source/Bethany_House), which was bought out by [Baker](/source/Baker_Publishing_Group) publishing group. They are master planning the property for their college and school of media arts, along with their South Twin Cities campus.[4]

## Distinctives

Numerous publications have called it one of the most youthful megachurches in the country with over 70% of its members under 30 years old.[4] Substance is known for its ultra-contemporary approaches to worship utilizing turn-tables, rap, and other forms of media. They have produced dozens of music videos and album projects for their two nationally known worship bands, Substance Input-Output and their [EDM](/source/Electronic_dance_music) DJ band, Substance Variant.[5] Their progressive approach to church methodology applies not only to their music but their use of videography in their [multi-site church](/source/Multi-site_church) format and online social networking.[6]

As a former [progressive house](/source/Progressive_house) DJ, its founding pastor, Peter Haas, is often cited in numerous books and publications for his conversion to Christianity in a nightclub.[7][8] Pastor Peter's Amazon Best Selling humor books, Pharisectomy: How to Remove your Inner Pharisee and other Religiously Transmitted Diseases, and Broken Escalators, were originally published on the [Assemblies of God](/source/Assemblies_of_God_USA) imprints, Influence and Salubris. Publications also often note Substance for its approaches towards A.I. technology,[7] governance, [Cell Church](/source/Cell_Church) methodology and regular emphasis on [church planting](/source/Church_planting).[9][2]Substance also serves on the leadership team of the international church planting organizations, ARC Canada, ARC Europe, and ARC Southern Africa.

## Beliefs

Substance Church adheres to classic [Evangelicalism](/source/Evangelicalism) with some [Neocharismatic](/source/Neocharismatic) overtones.[10] Although Substance does not officially classify itself as an [emerging church](/source/Emerging_church), many articles find similarities, perhaps due to its youthful attendance.[5] But despite their independent polity, Substance has assisted in the planting of numerous denominational and non-denominational churches ranging from [Baptist](/source/Baptist) to the [Evangelical Covenant Church](/source/Evangelical_Covenant_Church) to [Assemblies of God](/source/Assemblies_of_God).[11]

Substance Church does not allow its pastors, staff, or members to participate in same-sex unions or same-sex marriages. [12]

## See also

- [Multi-site church](/source/Multi-site_church)
- [Cell Church](/source/Cell_Church)
- [Emerging Church](/source/Emerging_Church)
- [Church Planting](/source/Church_Planting)

## References

1. Outreach Magazine 100 - Special Issue 2010

1. "7 Trendsetting Churches" – Adrienne S. Gaines - Charisma Magazine – April 2010

1. ["History of Substance Church"](https://substancechurch.com/history). *Substance church*. Retrieved May 22, 2019.

1. "Growing Churches Blend the Old and the New" -- HERÓN MÁRQUEZ ESTRADA – Star Tribune, November 27, 2010

1. "Rock of Younger Ages" Jeff Strickler -- Star Tribune, October 4, 2008

1. "Chapter, Verse, Text and Tweet" Jeff Strickler – Star Tribune, June 13, 2009

1. "Act Normal" - Scott Olson - Cross Section and Influence Resources, 2010 www.actnormal.org

1. "Conversations that Changed Me" Jan Greggo – Outreach Magazine - The 2010 Top 100

1. "Attractional Church" Billy Hornsby - Faithwords, Feb 2010 ISBN 978-0-446-57214-9

1. "What We Believe" [http://www.substancechurch.com/about-us/what-we-believe/statement-faith](http://www.substancechurch.com/about-us/what-we-believe/statement-faith)

1. ["Substance Church | Core Values"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080818172041/http://www.substancechurch.com/core-values/). *www.substancechurch.com*. Archived from [the original](http://www.substancechurch.com/core-values/) on August 18, 2008.

1. ["Our Beliefs"](https://www.substancechurch.com/our-beliefs/). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250628211612/https://www.substancechurch.com/our-beliefs/) June 28, 2025 at the Wayback Machine.

## External links

- Substance Church Home - [http://substancechurch.com](http://substancechurch.com)
- Substance Magazine - [http://beingsubstance.com](http://beingsubstance.com)
- Star Tribune "Rock of Younger Ages" Jeff Strickler - [http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/faith/30269639.html](http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/faith/30269639.html)
- Star Tribune "Growing Churches Blend the Old and the New"—HERÓN MÁRQUEZ ESTRADA [http://www.startribune.com/local/south/110453469.html](http://www.startribune.com/local/south/110453469.html)
- www.peterhaas.org
- Association of Related Churches - [http://www.arcchurches.com/](http://www.arcchurches.com/)

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Substance Church](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substance_Church) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substance_Church?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.