Kreutz Creek Presbyterian

Kreutz Creek Presbyterian was a floundering church for years.  Five years ago the presbytery provided a designated pastor with the goal to show new life in three years or else to close the doors.  Today the congregation has gone from about 30 in worship to more than 80 in two services.  With financial help from both synod and the presbytery the congregation was nearly self-sufficient after the third year when sister congregations provided an extra financial boost for the fourth year. 

By this time the pastor, Rev. Marion Haynes-Weller, had become an installed pastor.  The choir grew to more than 15. There were group for worship drama and a tone chime choir. A group of volunteers manage a clothing bank for a sister Presbyterian church. A relationship with a neighboring children’s shelter grew.  Youth have gone on summer mission trips.  Two billboards have attracted passersby.  A bond with the local religious editor of the newspaper brought several feature articles.  A crew of members repaired a driveway washed out by a flood for a stranded member.  A Halloween Haunted House and a Community Egg Hunt brought the community to the grounds.

With these and more ways of reaching out, the now 100 or more members have learned how to show hospitality in Christ’s name.   Visitors are warmly welcomed and drawn into the life of the congregation.  Pastor Marion had a goal for each week:  to visit one home of an unchurched person.  Indeed that has been ongoing with requests by phone or referrals from the members.

Recently the Presbytery made a plea for extra giving to meet a sluggish budget.  When the session met to consider this, it was decided to send $5000—more than other churches.  Why?  Because of the gratitude for the Presbytery’s three years of support and to give thanks to God for the work that goes on in Christ’s name.

Columbia Presbyterian Church

The second model of redevelopment is Columbia Presbyterian Church in a small city where the burden of poverty is clear.  This congregation had been yoked for years as it declined to 30 members averaging 80 years in age.  With a new vision plan, the presbytery and synod have been assisting the church with a fulltime designated pastor who is charged with half time in pastoral ministry and half time in community outreach.  Within two years programs are emerging that are significant.

How can the small, aged congregation manage this?  There are partnerships with neighboring ecumenical groups.  There are sister Presbyterian congregations providing volunteers.  There is now an attraction for new people from the community to join in the mission projects as the new life becomes evident.

How do the elderly ladies view all of this?  They hope that the new vision will enable that church to survive past their lifetimes.  To have the 11:00 am traditional worship attendance grow is their dream.  Yet the expanding attendance at the Evening Worship and Coffee House is moving beyond 30 as people walk in off the street to hear the music and feel the fellowship of Christ.

Now the plan is to make this mission a place to experience urban ministry in a small city.  The needs in this community are great.  There will be more outreach programs needed.  Additional funds will be needed to sustain outreach within a community that has income shortages.  However, God is blessing the work and we believe that transformation will continue as the Presbyterian influence in Columbia gains strength.  Here is a model for urban outreach that may inspire others.  We welcome inquiries and will host field trips to show the programs to anyone.