From the
beginning, Common Ground was meant to be unique—almost experimental. When the
leaders of our Presbytery started thinking about a new ministry effort over a
decade ago, they recognized that churches in America, as a whole, were dwindling
both in numbers and impact, and that to continue doing church the same old way
would not faithfully address the profound cultural shifts taking place. So,
they called Nancy and me to start a new community of faith that would be very
mission oriented.
Early on, we
sought to explore new and relevant ways to share our faith and experience
worship. We would do this through having a “casual” worship atmosphere, being
child friendly, using contemporary worship music, and by using imagery and
video in worship to enhance the messages. All the while, however, we were
searching for our own particular mission focus, knowing that God has called his
people to bless others. “How are we supposed to be a blessing to others in this
community?” is a question with which we wrestled.
When we
found out about the Mellingers Greenhouse and Nursery Center property being for
sale, we weighed the benefits and drawbacks of pursuing such a big purchase and
renovation project so early on in the life in our new church. Our leadership
decided that if we were to have a building that it should somehow expand our
ability to bless the community. In other words, our building and property,
besides serving us, should be a mission outpost.
We knew that
short term sacrifices would have to be made in order to have a long-term
platform for mission and ministry. 2010 was the year that we most definitively
began to see the “missional” return on our investment. As is detailed in the
Goodness Grows report, our site has become a place that serves not only us, but
is indeed a blessing to the community. Young men from Youngstown, at critical
crossroads in their lives, found our place to be one that would nurture their
better dreams and make educational and vocational progress. Special needs
students from the Columbiana school system experienced full acceptance and
meaningful work as they helped in the gardens from planting time to harvest.
Yet, a lot
more was going on that what most of us could see. People were watching us,
watching to see how a small church might creatively use what they have to
influence its community in new ways. Not only were they watching, they were
talking. From having a newscaster say that the story done about our work with
the young men from Youngstown was the most inspiring story they had ever done,
to having the national publication, Presbyterians Today, feature our
mission-oriented use of our facilities, people have been inspired to reconsider
what it means for churches to steward their properties and engage their
communities. And some of those communities are a long ways away, as we have
also had visitors from Spain, Iraq, and Eastern Europe over the past year.
In some ways
our efforts may seem small, but they are having a large ripple effect. The
original “experiment”, I believe, is succeeding. The presbytery, too, thinks it is succeeding
and is continuing to show support and encouragement. During its January 2011
meeting, it has invited us to share our story.
To speak
more personally, I am grateful to God that I am ministering in this unique situation
among so many good and committed people. Not only am I blessed with the
friendship of those in the congregation, but also with the friendship of our
staff, who work diligently in seeking to serve the congregation and further the
purposes of God.
In 2011, I
look forward to our leadership giving more attention to what’s going on within
Common Ground, seeking more ways for all of us to grow more deeply in love with
our Savior, for us to strengthen our bonds with one another, and for us to
reach out to those unconnected with a community of faith.
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