The power of Christ’s
presence where two or more are gathered is evident in the process
that has led three Presbyterian churches in Flint to join together
as a union church.
Late in 2005, members of the Session of Bethany Church looked
at the difficult realities of their situation and the likelihood
of closure within the next ten years. They decided to step out
in faith to engage other Flint churches in conversation. The
Rev. Jim Offrink, Bethany’s pastor, presented the sessions
of four area churches the idea of sharing ministry as a single
congregation in a new building. One of the four, Westminster,
had just decided to close and subsequently designated the balance
of its cash to the emerging project. The other churches—Bethany,
Farnumwood, and Christ the Liberator—continued their conversations
and approached the presbytery for assistance in discerning how
best to proceed. The presbytery appointed an administrative
committee to work alongside representatives of the three congregations.
The conversation began around the idea of each church carrying
out its own ministry in a shared building. After much discernment,
discussion, and prayer, all three congregations voted to become
one union church. The Spirit was also at work in the search
for an appropriate piece of property. After much effort, a location
was identified that was not anyone’s first choice but
met all the needs. Only after the fact did they realize that
the new property was at an equal distance from all three congregations.
The presbytery used funds from the sale of Westminster Church
for the purchase of the property. Plans were then developed
to construct an energy-efficient building using proceeds from
the sale of the three church buildings. In late April and May
2007, each congregation held a “celebration of life”
worship service, and shortly afterward they began their new
life as Trinity United.
Jim Offrink says, “We believe the Spirit calls us to
a vision of a new Presbyterian ministry, ecologically sustainable,
multiracial and multicultural, geared to a regional rather than
neighborhood appeal that develops a program for a broad range
of age, interest, and experience—a magnificent challenge!”
The presbytery of Lake Huron has 54 churches with 11,783 members. |
