This question makes total sense.  There are a lot of churches in Duluth, why do we need another one?   The following is the case we made for planting a church in Duluth as we presented the vision of The Water's Edge to other local churches this past winter...

• Though 40% of Americans claim they go to church on a weekly basis, only 17.5% actually do.
• The percentage of Americans who go to church weekly has dropped from 20.4% in in 1990 to 17.5 % in 2006 and continues to decline.
• Only 15.6 % of St. Louis County residents go to church on a weekly basis.
  
• In 2007, Twin Ports residents were asked, “Have you in the last 12 months participated in a religious group?” Only 14.6% said yes.
• Based on these statistics, it is highly likely that fewer than 1 out of 10 Duluthians have a true, saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
• It is 5 to 7 times easier to plant a new church than to revitalize an existing one.
• In churches 10 years old and older it takes 89 people to reach one person for Christ while in churches 3 years old or younger it takes only 3 people to reach one person for Christ.
  
• Church planting is the prescribed method of reaching unbelievers and advancing the Kingdom of God in the book of Acts.
• We strongly believe that God has called us to do it.

We believe that a strong Biblical argument can be made for both dressing up or for  dressing casually when going to church.  Most people who will come to The Water's Edge won't be aware of either argument.  Therefore, we want to encourage people to wear whatever they want, just as long as it is modest and not a distraction to others.

The name The Water's Edge seemed perfect because it was so appropriate for Duluth's location on the edge of Lake Superior and because it has rich Biblical connotations as well (e.g. John 4:1-15).

The slogan dive in and make a difference is catchy and memorable and sums up what we're all about (see below).

Our logo is the reflection of the cross on the water and ties both to our name, The Water's Edge and our slogan, dive in and make a difference.  The cross on the edge of the water reminds us of Jesus and the saving work He did on our behalf 2,000 years ago.  The first part of our slogan calls people to dive into a personal relationship with the risen, living Lord Jesus.  The reflection of the cross on the water reminds of the second part of our slogan, make a difference.  Once we dive into a relationship with Jesus, His love compels us to go out and make a difference in the lives of others.  We believe the key to making a difference in the lives of others is allowing Jesus life to be reflected in our own.

We'll see what God has in mind.  We are quite content at Lakeview for now and are very thankful for their partnership with us.  We love the central location, neighborhood, gym, cafeteria, classroom space, playground, etc.  We also love being able use their stage, sound system, and other worship equipment that is already set up in the chapel.  Finally, we love that they are open to allowing us to use the building at other times during the week and that we can help support them financially.  At this point, the only things that might cause us to leave would be outgrowing the space, an unforeseen opportunity that we can't pass up, or the clear leading of God.

• Our belief that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. 
• Our seven core values (God pursuing, prayerful, ministry minded, relational, community impacting, Gospel sharing, and reproducing).
• The fact that we are church that invites and is inviting. 
• Our outward focus and emphasis on being doers of God's Word not hearers only. 
• Our team-oriented, hands-on, bottom-up ministry philosophy which emphasizes individual responsibility for spiritual growth. (see About Us)