CINCINNATI -- They have names like Graceland, Warehouse 242, Spirit Garage and Solomon's Porch.
They're known as Generation X churches, and one is being started in Cincinnati by a surprising source -- the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio.
The unusual church startup, expected to be open by Easter, is part of the diocese's strategy to nearly quadruple its baptized membership by 2005.
That plan, initiated by Cincinnati Bishop Herbert Thompson Jr. in 1998, includes reaching out to people currently underserved by the Episcopal Church, said the Rev. Jason Leo, rector of Calvary Episcopal Church in Cincinnati.
``Part of (Bishop Thompson's) challenge was to think outside the box,'' said Rev. Leo, a member of the team planning the church. ``This is way outside the box.''
The church won't even be called a church, but rather a Gen-X community, geared toward technology-savvy, unchurched Generation X'ers.
``Church language is often off-putting to people who are not familiar with church,'' said the Rev. Stephen Muncie, canon missioner of the diocese. ``We're looking to find a way to communicate the gospel in the vernacular, in the language of 18- to 30-year-olds.''
Although still in the planning stages, the non-traditional church will have several distinctive features:
-- All communication will be done over the Internet and by e-mail.
-- There will be no permanent meeting place, but services most likely will be held in downtown Cincinnati.
-- The worship will be contemporary, led by a live band.
Diocesan officials said such innovative ministry is a necessary response to the changing culture and the ``digital revolution.''
``This revolution is affecting all of Christendom,'' Rev. Muncie said, comparing it to the advent of the printing press in the 15th century.
Rev. Leo, 35, said the project has generated a lot of ``curiosity, energy and creativity'' within the diocese.
Episcopal missionary Jon Shuler praised the diocese for its project but said the Episcopal Church at large is playing catch-up when it comes to Gen-X ministry.
``It's very late in the day for us,'' said Rev. Shuler, general secretary of the North American Missionary Society in Charlotte, N.C. ``The presuppositions of Episcopal Church life. . .are based on another time. It's almost as if our tool kit is for another generation. We're very much running uphill to make this transition to ministry in a postmodern world.''
Diocesan officials want to start the church with at least 150 members, Rev. Leo said.