Navigating Crossroads: A Journey of Discernment for Court Street

We stand at a pivotal moment in the history of our beloved church.  As you know, the upcoming Church Council Informational Meeting and Luncheon on Sunday, March 17th, 2024, offers a crucial opportunity to explore the path forward for Court Street UMC together.  This article aims to provide detailed information and answer key questions as we embark on this journey of discernment.

(Please RSVP here so we can prepare food and have enough chairs set up).

The heart of our discussions revolves around two distinct options: reinvigorating our church or transitioning into a legacy church.  Each path holds significant meaning for our future; understanding them is essential.

This path ignites a renewed passion for God’s purpose in our community.  It’s about recommitting to our core values – prayer, presence, gifts, service, and witness.  By embracing a missional approach, we aim to grow spiritually, numerically, and impactfully in Downtown Lynchburg.

This option requires active engagement from everyone.  We’ll explore innovative ways to connect with our community, welcome newcomers, and nurture discipleship.  It’s about embracing change, stepping outside our comfort zones, and being faithful stewards of our resources.

Transitioning into a legacy church involves acknowledging our current situation and deciding to close our doors.  While daunting, it’s crucial to approach it with grace and reverence for Court Street UMC’s rich history and legacy.

Becoming a legacy church allows us to honor our memories, traditions, and impact while acknowledging changes in our community and the broader church landscape.  It’s about gracefully concluding one chapter while paving the way for new beginnings.

Our discernment process prioritizes consensus-building over voting.  Consensus building prioritizes mutual understanding, collaboration, and shared decision-making.

When we seek consensus, we strive to reach a collective agreement that reflects every member’s input, concerns, and aspirations.  It’s about finding common ground and discerning God’s will together rather than just tallying votes.

Q: What happens if we choose to become a legacy church?

• The building and ministry become part of the Mountain View District.
• Court Street UMC will choose a time to cease worship before the closing date. The church will close on June 30th. (Not necessarily THIS June 30th, but this timing is due to the itinerant schedule for pastoral appointments, which are July 1st – June 30th). The District Superintendent will attend our final worship service.  That is your “cease to worship” date, although the closure still requires final approval of the Annual Conference in June and is effective 6/30. The utilities, insurance, and payment of the pastor’s salary must continue through 6/30 when the Conference will take the insurance and utilities over.
• We’ll have access to the building for functions like bible study and luncheons until the official closing date.
• At the time of the annual conference, they read the resolution for all church closings, and then the property goes to the Mountain View District. There is a celebration and prayer for all Legacy Churches. From that point, the Mountain View District will discern and decide what to do with the building, property, and assets.
• Endowment funds can be used for their intended purposes with approval before June 1st, before the closing year.
• Remaining funds transfer to the District.

Q:   What happens with church membership? 

• Members can transfer their membership to another nearby UMC. The district will send each member a letter informing them of their membership transfer. Individuals may also choose to have their membership redirected to other places by calling the district office.

 Q: What happens to our Endowment? May we use the Specified funds for their intended purposes, or do they revert to the Conference? 

• When a local church closes, all property, real and personal, tangible and intangible, transfers to the Conference. At some point before the 6/30 closure date (preferably before 6/1), the church could choose to make financial gifts to charities.

Q: What about Paintings and furniture in the building? 

• Your leadership will want to create a process for church families to have those items, especially ones donated by a family. Again, it would have to be accomplished prior to 6/30. Anything left will go with the transfer.

Q:  What about the current tenants in the building?

• We would continue to have the tenants (Ecclesia School of Dance, Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra, and Pink Pearl Empowered Homemaking) as tenants even though the church closes.

Q:  Can the Virginia Conference & District Help Court Street UMC stay open?

• Absolutely!  The ¶ 213 process is designed for precisely this purpose. The district offers grants, resources, and training to help us connect with the community, develop a clear vision for ministry, and thrive.
• We have to connect to the community. We must have a clear vision for ministry and showcase our use in the community. Then, we can not only survive but thrive. The conference has grants and resources to help support us. There is also training available in finance and equipping connections to the community.
• There is incredible value in looking at the past and present to shape the forward ministry for future vitality.
• Mission grants are available (not to be used for brick and mortar). There is specifically $50K available for churches to apply for.
• The conference has additional ministry specialists to help equip people in the church for this type of ministry. The question is, are we willing, and are we able. Making disciples is all about building relationships.
• Brick and Mortar Grants: We could pursue additional potential brick-and-mortar grants by contacting the United Methodist Foundation. One example we were given is the Renfro Trust Grant. Additional conference grants available can be found here. 

Q: Who is on the task force appointed by the district?

• It is a group of people that are trained at working with the resources. It includes a missional board from the Mountain View District plus Rev. Leigh Anne Taylor. They will help give us mission insight and resources within our location to tell us what the people in our community are looking for.
• What are the age groups? What are their needs? We, as a church, are the ones who will be doing the work.

Q: What is the Wesley Community Development Corporation? 

• Wesley Community Development is an innovative, full-service, non-profit real estate firm uniquely qualified to partner with faith-based organizations to help them reimagine, repurpose, and redevelop their physical assets to live into their vision. They can work with us to see what we can do with our property to create synergy and connection and provide a variety of income streams for the church.

Q: Are we insular, or are we missional?

• Insular churches are all about us, while missional churches are outward-focused.
• We equip from within, but we must go out and use love as a verb. Sometimes, we are the only Bible people will ever see.
• “Preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words,” St. Francis Assisi.

Q: Who pays the Wesley Community Development Corporation? 

• The cabinet of the Virginia Conference is currently working through this.

Q: We had been paying 100% of our apportionments, but as of last year, we reduced to only paying 50% of our monthly apportionments. Will our reduced apportionments affect the conference’s view on the path we choose? 

• No, they won’t hold it against us. It is all about our willingness, desire, and calling to be in ministry, especially since we have a LONG history of faithful 100% apportionments.

Q: What is done with the money from the churches that choose to become legacy churches? 

• The interest earned on church closures funds grants.

Q: Are there other churches we could combine with? What could that look like?

• A Merger. Both churches would cease to exist, and they would become something new.
• A Cooperative Parish. Each church is separate, but they have a cooperative ministry and mission.

Q:  What if we choose to reinvigorate? What resources are available?

• The Virginia Conference offers financial and strategic support, including mission grants and ministry specialists, to help churches grow and flourish.
• The Conference has salary support for missional needs. To support a full-time pastor with gifts and graces. To support the missional needs of the church.
• Shifting and choosing to reinvigorate is all about the church cycle. The longer the church waits, the harder change becomes. We need to be willing and able to choose the path of reinvigoration.

Moving Forward in Faith

As we gather for the Church Council Informational Meeting and Luncheon, let’s approach this time with humility, prayer, and a commitment to our church family.  Open your hearts to one another, and seek God’s guidance as we navigate this journey together.

Remember, regardless of our path, it will be a faithful decision guided by love, faith, and a shared vision for Court Street UMC’s future.  Together, we can embrace the challenges and opportunities ahead, knowing that God is with us every step of the way.

We look forward to your presence and participation at the meeting on March 17th as we embark on this critical journey together!