FAQs

What is THEBARNCHURCH?

The Barn Church (TBC) is a vibrant, Spirit-filled community in Southwest Michigan currently in Dowagiac, MI, founded by Senior Leaders Shane and Kara McLean. We’re passionate about creating environments where people encounter Jesus and are empowered to advance His Kingdom through authentic worship, biblical teaching, and genuine community.

What’s your mission?

We gather in His presence, grow in His power, go in His love. We’re committed to moving in an atmosphere of His sustained manifest presence, teaching the power and simplicity of the Gospel, and blurring denominational lines to establish unity in the Body of Christ.

What should I expect?

When do you meet?

  • Sunday Morning Worship: 10:10 AM

  • Student Ministry (6th-12th grade): 5:00-7:00 PM on Sundays

  • Friday Evening Worship: Every 3rd Friday of the month at 7:00 PM

What should I wear? Come as you are! We don’t have a dress code (well, yes to pants!). Whether you’re in jeans and a t-shirt or your Sunday best, you’re welcome here.

What’s a typical Sunday Gathering like? Every Sunday morning we create an environment where everyone can encounter God’s presence in a real and tangible way. Expect passionate worship, biblical teaching, and a loving community. We’re people of no compromise when it comes to the truth of God’s Word.

Is there a service for my children? Yes! We offer services for Babies, Pre-K, and K-5 during Sunday morning gatherings and during Friday evening worship. For other special events, childcare will be announced in advance.

How do I get involved?

How can I connect with the church community? Plan your visit through our website! Our church team members are ready to help make your first Sunday at TBC as familiar as possible. You can also download the Pushpay app to stay connected beyond Sunday and engage with our community throughout the week.

What ministries does THEBARNCHURCH offer? We have several active ministry areas including:

  • Sunday Morning Gatherings

  • Friday Night Light Worship (monthly worship encounters)

  • Street Reach Missions (community outreach)

  • The Storehouse (food and crisis relief ministry)

  • Training Center (leadership development and ministry discovery courses)

  • Student Ministry (C&C Youth and Student Ministry)

What is the Training Center? Our Training Center offers leadership development courses from a ministry and church perspective. We have FOUNDATIONS classes and MINISTRY DISCOVERY courses designed to instill values, habits, and skills that will propel people into their God-ordained destiny. There's a cost for books and classes - sign up through our website to learn more.

What is the Storehouse? The Storehouse is our food and crisis relief ministry serving Berrien County. If you'd like to donate your time, contribute food, or other goods, contact us at outreach@thebarn.church or visit our donation center at 484 Lincoln Rd. Berrien Springs, MI.


How do you believe and what are your values?

What do you believe? We believe in:

  • The Bible: God’s Word that changes lives

  • God the Father: A perfect, compassionate, holy Father who loves us.

  • Salvation by Grace: Through faith in Jesus Christ - a free gift, not earned by works

  • Five-Fold Ministry: Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Shepherds, and Teachers working humbly together to build up the Body of Christ.

  • The Ekklesia (Church): Not the building, but the people - where everyone should feel loved, safe, and valued.

What makes THEBARNCHURCH unique? We operate by a culture of honor with shared leadership. Unlike traditional church models with a single senior pastor calling all the shots, we function through a biblical five-fold ministry structure led by Shane and Kara McLean alongside a team of leaders. This isn't about avoiding accountability - it's about pursuing the Acts 2 Church model and the biblical leadership framework outlined in Timothy. We believe this is how the early church actually functioned, and we're committed to being as biblically authentic as possible rather than following modern church tradition.

Our leadership structure means decisions are made collaboratively, gifts are recognized and deployed across the body, and we're intentionally creating space for apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to function together - not just in title, but in practice. This culture of honor extends throughout the entire church family, where we value each person's calling and empower them to step into their God-ordained destiny.

We're not trying to be the biggest church or run the most programs. We're focused on sustaining an atmosphere of revival through God's presence, raising up equipped believers who know their identity as sons and daughters of the Father, and advancing the Kingdom in Southwest Michigan and beyond.