Tiny Church Fights Closure With Denomination
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Wed, September 30, 2009
- Viewed 203
- (4) comments so far
From the San Francisco Chronicle:
Facing the threatened closure of their small church near Twin Peaks, a small group of Calvinists vowed Sunday to continue fighting for survival despite a recent court ruling that barred them from breaking away from their denomination.
"We're like a family," said board member Jenny Ryan. "We're inclusive, intergenerational, racially diverse, very welcoming. They just don't value a small congregation."
At issue is not theology or politics, but the church's size. With between 25 and 50 members, leaders of the Reformed Church of America felt their resources could have been better used elsewhere, an attorney for the denomination said.
"It wasn't serving the community and accomplishing its mission," said the lawyer, Alan Friedman. "It wasn't founded to be a private church for 20 people."
Miraloma members, though, said they suspected real estate was a factor in the decision. The lot where the San Francisco church has stood since 1945 is worth between $3 million and $4 million, Calvin said.
Miraloma members said they paid for the church when it opened, the loans are paid off, and the church belongs to them. The denomination's desire to take over is "at odds with American religious history," said Donald Falk, a lawyer for Miraloma.
"The ruling (is contrary) to the tradition of independence and free affiliation and disaffiliation," he said. In the court's view, he said, once a congregation affiliates with a parent church, "you're in and you can never get out."
The 3-0 ruling was handed down by the First District Court of Appeal more than two years after Miraloma's board - facing the church's possible closure - voted to separate from the Reformed Church of America.
Comments
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David Buckham on Wed, September 30, 2009
Maybe it’s my own personal bent (I am in a minister at an independent Christian Church), but I seem to always side with the church over the denomination. While there are some good things that come with denominations, there are also some bad things. I have to side with the church in this instance.
The same thing happened/is happening with a small church, about the same size, in our town. The denomination is taking/trying to take a church building from a group that financially supports the denomination (AME) yet has never taken a dime from the denomination for anything, not even their building. The denomination has only ever sent them bi-vocational ministers (whom the church pays financially). Their battle was/is in court now. Appeals make everything so “fun.”
It makes me ask the question “Jesus who?”
all about Christ,
David Buckham
Peter Hamm on Wed, September 30, 2009
In my experience, however, small churches such as this are often “dying”. There are no new people, no culture that welcomes new people, and no evangelistic efforts whatsoever.
If this were the case, I’d be on the side of the denom.
Jamie on Wed, September 30, 2009
I hope the denominational officials evaluated over a long period of time the congregations willingness and ability to fulfill the Great Commission. If the church was busy trying to be a club for insiders instead of the Body of Christ committed to making more and better disciples of Jesus Christ, then the denomination had a legitimate reason, even a responsibility, to use the resource of the property to start new congregations in other locations with the $3-4 million that could be generated from such a sale. Maybe they were quite willing, but unable to figure out new ways to fulfill the Great Commission? Other questions that are important: How long has the church been in decline and what were they doing about it? Could they actually afford the ministry they were offering? Was the denomination helping them out financially for any period of time? Are other churches in the area growing or are they all floundering and in the process of dying? I do suspect the denominational officials explored many other options with the congregation (if this was not done it was wrong!) before it came to this.
David Buckham on Wed, September 30, 2009
Pete,
You would think the denom would try a new pastor maybe? I am not sure how the Reformed Church of America operates though.
Is this a recognizable case of churcinasia…a mercy killing? Or is this churchicide…for the money?
As far as what the article says, I am still leaning towards the church, however Peter, your points would definitely validate the Denom’s decision with me…not that my opinion really matters to them.
all about Christ,
David Buckham
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