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Modern methods.
Ancient message.
We're not afraid to do church differently. But even when our methods are out of the box, our doctrine is as traditional as they come. Here's our story, what we believe, and honest answers to the things people actually wonder before they walk in.
How Substance started
It started with a DJ. Peter Haas was working as an electronic-dance-music DJ in a nightclub when a miraculous answer to prayer led him to follow Jesus — a story he tells in his best-selling humor book Pharisectomy. After a decade of pastoring in Wisconsin, he and his wife Carolyn moved to the heart of Minneapolis–St. Paul in 2004 to plant an arts-oriented church they called Substance.
It caught on. Substance grew into one of the faster-growing multi-site churches in the country and one of the most youthful — a huge share of the room is under 30, and a big chunk didn't attend church at all just a couple of years before walking in. Today there are four Twin Cities campuses plus an international campus in Monterrey, Mexico, and the church helps plant churches around the world through the Association of Related Churches.
Our mission, in four moves
Know God. Find freedom. Discover purpose. Make a difference.
That's the whole arc of what we're after — for you and for the city. It's why "church doesn't start until the service is over": the point isn't the 70 minutes on Sunday, it's the community, the growth, and the difference that happens the other six days.
The non-negotiables
What we believe
Experimental methods, historic orthodox Christianity. The short version:
The Bible
God's inspired Word — our final authority for faith and life.
One God
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — three persons, one God.
Jesus & grace
Salvation is a gift through Jesus' death and resurrection, received by faith.
The Church
We're better together — built for community, generosity, and mission.
The out-of-the-box part
Why we look a little unusual.
Turntables and rap on stage. Two touring worship bands — Substance I/O and the EDM project Substance Variant. A film and media-arts academy. And a downtown campus inside a stained-glass landmark. The methods are wild; the message isn't.
We meet in an 1890s stained-glass landmark and a converted warehouse. Both feel like Substance.
of the room is under 30. If you've been "the youngest person at church," you won't be here.
The "7 Minute Party" — the lobby moment after every service where staff actually stop to meet you.
Peter & Carolyn Haas. Peter's the author behind Pharisectomy and Broken Escalators — yes, church can be funny.
Before you come, you're probably wondering…
The stuff people actually type into Google.
No spin. Here's where Substance really stands.
What denomination is Substance?
None, technically — Substance is nondenominational and evangelical. It was planted in partnership with the Association of Related Churches (ARC). The methods are experimental; the core doctrine is historic, orthodox Christianity — the kind you'd recognize in any classic statement of faith.
Where does Substance stand on LGBTQ questions?
Substance holds a traditional Christian view of marriage and sexuality: it teaches that marriage is between one man and one woman, and its pastors, staff, and members don't participate in same-sex unions or marriages. That's the honest answer up front so nobody's blindsided.
Alongside that, the stated posture toward every person who walks in — no exceptions — is welcome, respect, and genuine relationship. You're invited to come, ask hard questions, and be treated like family whether or not you share every belief. If you want to talk it through with a real person before visiting, reach out.
What are the service times?
Sundays. Northtown at 8:30, 10:00 & 11:45am. Downtown, Southside & Northwest at 9:15 & 10:45am. Each service runs about 70 minutes. Full addresses and directions are on the Visit page.
Is there a location near me — Minneapolis, Bloomington, Maple Grove?
Four Twin Cities campuses: Northtown (Spring Lake Park), Downtown (Minneapolis), Southside (Bloomington), and Northwest (Ramsey) — plus an international campus in Monterrey, Mexico. Coming from Maple Grove or the west metro? Northwest or Northtown are usually the shortest drive. Everything also streams live.
Does Substance have a food shelf?
Yes — Manna Market, a free food-recovery pantry run out of the Northtown campus in partnership with Second Harvest Heartland and local grocers. Pickup is Thursdays 4–6pm and Saturdays 10–11:30am at 8299 Central Ave NE. No registration; just show up. Want to help sort and load? There are volunteer shifts most weekdays.
How is this different from Eagle Brook or River Valley?
All three are large, contemporary Twin Cities churches, so people compare them constantly. Substance's lane is being one of the youngest and most media-driven of the bunch — two touring worship bands, a film and media-arts academy, and a downtown campus inside a historic landmark. The best way to feel the difference is to visit one Sunday.
What's Christmas / Easter like?
They're the two biggest weekends of the year — extra services across every campus, full production, and a genuinely fun experience for kids. If you've been meaning to check Substance out, a holiday service is the easiest on-ramp. Times get posted a few weeks ahead on each campus page.
I'm not sure I even believe this stuff. Can I still come?
Yes, and you're in good company. A big share of the room is exploring, skeptical, or just back after a long time away. Come sit in the back, keep your questions, and decide nothing on day one. If you'd rather start with the questions themselves, the Alpha course is a low-key, no-dumb-questions space made exactly for that.
Still curious? Come see it.
Reading only gets you so far. Pick a Sunday and experience it for yourself.