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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
October 2001 |
Not just new churches
By Matthew Oates
Hoosier UM News Correspondent
The South Indiana Conference announced in June it was planting a church in the fast-growing Indianapolis suburb of Fishers.
It was the first answer to a mandate passed during the 2000 Annual Conference to plant three new congregations in the conference each year for the next five years. To assist in the development, the Rev. David V.W. Owen was hired as the conference's director of congregational development.
But his job isn't just planting new congregations; it's also helping more established congregations grow or find new ways to do ministry.
Two churches in the Evansville District are finding new ways of growing in their communities by starting new ministries or merging existing congregations.
A storied past, a bright future
Baker Chapel is located five miles east of Boonville and has served Warrick County since 1840. In March, the congregation received a $20,000 grant to be distributed over three years for their redevelopment efforts from the SIC Section on Congregational Redevelopment.
According to the Rev. Len Devaisher, Baker Chapel has experienced moderate growth throughout the years, with an average attendance of 82 in 1999. Armed with numerous spiritual growth initiatives, there were some ideas for growth in areas such as children's ministry, alternative worship styles, small groups and other options.
"I continued to feel God calling us to do much more," said Devaisher. "I continue to be convinced that wherever we are in ministry, God wants more and the world definitely needs more."
After much thought and prayer and meetings, radical changes occurred at Baker Chapel. One year ago, Devaisher was the only paid employee (part time local pastor) and his wife was the volunteer youth leader. Now, Baker Chapel has a staff of five: three paid, two unpaid. It also has a contemporary/informal worship on Saturday night called the LightHouse, which meets at the Boonville Junior High School.
"We realize that there are people in our community who for various reasons would not feel comfortable attending a traditional Sunday morning worship," said Devaisher. "LightHouse is all about tearing down the barriers, going outside the walls of the church and providing a safe, neutral place to check out who Jesus is."
One of the results from the various new ministries and re-energizing of the congregation is that attendance is up almost 50 percent, and the church is at capacity right now. "We are seeing growth numerically, and much more importantly, spiritually," said Devaisher.
When three become one
Another aspect is merging small, neighboring congregations into one community of faith. One of those communities is Cornerstone UMC in Chrisney. Cornerstone is comprised of the Chrisney, Fairview and Newtonville UMCs.
Three years ago, four area churches were encouraged by the Rev. Joe Kamman, then Evansville District superintendent, to investigate merging. Bloomfield Wesley Chapel UMC was invited, but eventually declined the merger offer. A Vision Committee was established with five members from each church. "This is critical to the success because you really need the movers and visionaries of the church to make this work," said the Rev. Steve Ellis of Cornerstone UMC.
Following the committee, formal merger discussions were held, with everything from each church's history, biblical mandates for churches, worship styles, community outreach, demographics and other topics addressed. And after several reports and meetings, a special charge conference was called and each congregation voted on whether or not they should merge.
After the three churches approved and the fourth did not and the merger was approved by the district superintendent and the conference, everyone went back to operate their churches as usual, but under the new name.
Property and funding issues complicate the process, as does community reaction.
The new church purchased 20 acres of land south of Chrisney where the new U.S. 231 is being built and will lead to a new bridge over the Ohio River into Kentucky. Chrisney and Newtonville have already combined their boards and funds. Newtonville recently sold their current building to another church and the members will move into the current Chrisney UMC around Nov.1.
"Our congregations all wanted to grow but were uncertain as to how to do it," said Ellis. "They were very apprehensive when we began the discussions on merger." According to Ellis, the Bloomfield Wesley Chapel did not merge because their area has a low population and growth would be a challenge.
When word of the merger swept through the community, many people were in shock and became skeptical throughout the entire process. But with everyone talking about it, community members are interested. "As a result there is a great deal of interest and curiosity about what we are doing and when we will get started," Ellis said. "We have seen the number of children beginning to grow in Sunday school and younger couples attending worship service."
While saying it is probably premature to be talking about the new membership, numbers are up, and the Sunday school attendance is even matching the rate set in the 1950s -- the heyday of church membership nationwide.
"When our new building is completed we expect additional growth," said Ellis. "The vast majority of our members have embraced our new direction and are looking forward to a bright future."
Last updated on 01/14/2004