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Dying church salvaged, but not painlessly
By WAVENEY ANN MOORE
© St. Petersburg Times, ST. PETERSBURG -- It was no secret that Garden Crest Presbyterian Church was going to be a challenge for any new minister. The church near Tyrone Square Mall was in its death throes, and trying to save it would prove futile, the Rev. Tom Greene was warned. What might have been a disheartening prognosis for some was motivation for Greene, 52, who had left a successful career as a commercial mortgage and real estate broker to become a minister. He was still a novice when he arrived at Garden Crest in 1997, having led only one other congregation. But Greene was confident that with an infusion of fresh ideas, his new church, which is 50 years old this year, could do more than simply survive. Four years later, the minister and his congregation are counting their blessings. Sunday at 10 a.m., he will dedicate Garden Crest's renovated sanctuary at 5901 Ninth Ave. N. It has undergone a $90,000 modernization. The congregation that had consisted of just two children and a small contingent of elderly faithful when Greene arrived now shows evidence of a younger crowd. There are Sunday school classes, a nursery, youth group, Moms' Morning Out program -- with a waiting list -- a slate of Bible classes and a popular contemporary service with a praise band. Sept. 16 will mark the beginning of a new children's worship program. Further, for the first time in more than a decade, the church, which at one time boasted a membership of more than 1,000, is operating without a deficit. Garden Crest's rebirth has not been without pain. A power struggle erupted between some longtime members and their new pastor, and the changes they craved proved to be too newfangled for their tastes. Outside mediators were called in to negotiate a truce, but unhappy old-timers left the church. Bill Easum, president and senior managing partner of Easum, Bandy and Associates, a church consultant firm based in Port Aransas, Texas, said such conflict is not unusual. Change is difficult for members of what he refers to as "established" churches. For Easum, this group includes the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), United Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Lutheran and Southern Baptist denominations. Eighty-five percent of churches in these denominations are declining, said Easum, adding that the age of their membership base is approaching 60. "Fifty percent of them will be gone in probably 25 years. A good 60 percent are basically small. By small, I mean under 200 members, financially strapped and often with marginally competent pastors," Easum said during a telephone conversation from his home. "Somewhere around 40 percent . . . are in serious conflict with their pastors and are what we call pastor-eating congregations, mean-spirited. They don't want change. They don't like change. They don't allow it." He has advice for those who decide to brave the wrath of unyielding congregations. "If psychologically you can't stand losing 10 to 30 percent of your congregation, don't do it," he said. "Most of the people are good people, and most of them will stay with you; but some are mean-spirited, and some are pig-headed, and some would rather die than change." Greene, an avid cyclist, was determined to go the distance at Garden Crest. As his church embarks on a new era Sunday, he will tell his congregation in his sermon: "Principles never change. Methods always do." "It was a difficult time in the life of the church," he said in reference to the tumult that cost him 30 percent of his original congregation. "Now we are one of the fastest growing churches in the Presbytery (of Tampa Bay)." He gives credit to the changes Garden Crest has made to welcome young families into its congregation and the newcomers' subsequent recommendation of the church to their friends. "It's word of mouth. People starting to invite their friends, saying, "I think you'll like it here. Come check it out,' " Greene said. "We were able to say, "We've got a nursery. We've got Sunday school classes.' " And there is Greene's preaching. Bob Schaer, a member of the board of trustees, began attending Garden Crest with his wife, Cindy, and their three children, ages 20, 16 and 14, about four years ago. "We stayed because of Pastor Tom. He's very down to earth," Schaer said. Pam Coleman has been at Garden Crest for about two years and is the worship planning director for its contemporary service. "We had tried several churches, but we just connected with that church because he had a very good message," she said. "One of the things was, he kind of related to the day-to-day issues that people deal with." "My preaching style gets very up close and personal," Greene said. "If a person does not want to be challenged, does not really want to look in the mirror, they would not be comfortable with my message. I candidly talk about alcoholism, pornography. I talk about these secret sins that nobody knows about. (But) we always offer a way out. We try to identify problem areas and we give a Christ-centered, God-centered solution. We offer a lot of hope, a lot of grace." What Garden Crest also offers, Greene said, is "user-seeker friendly" worship. Attendance at its contemporary service, which started almost two years ago, averages about 100, almost all new members. This Sunday the service will move from its home in the fellowship hall to the nearby sanctuary that has been redesigned with modern worship in mind. In the church, the narthex, now called simply the entry, has been widened to accommodate a coffee bar, cafe tables and chairs that overlook the sanctuary. If they choose, worshipers will be able to see and hear the service from this vantage point. In the sanctuary, traditional seating has been removed and replaced with theater seats toward the front. The old pews have been positioned near the rear. A 12-foot-wide screen for announcements, Scripture notations, music and video clips hangs above the stage. "One reason we've grown over the years is that we've tried to meet the needs of the contemporary culture," Greene said during a tour of the renovated space. Still, in deference to those who prefer that things remain the same, Garden Crest has retained a service for traditional worship. That would have been his recommendation, said Easum, the church consultant. "Don't change everything," he advises clients trying to soothe traditionalists. "Don't change their worship. Just add another worship service." When Greene took over the church in October 1997, fewer than 100 people attended. Sunday attendance at the 11 a.m. traditional and 9 a.m. contemporary services now ranges from about 140 to 160, with most people choosing the more modern form of worship. Stephany Lewellen, chairwoman of the worship and music ministry team, said Garden Crest is trying to boost interest in the traditional service. "We want to revitalize it to bring in some energy, some enthusiasm. With the traditional service being later, it's easier for the seniors. The traditional service is for those folks who just want it traditional. They are used to it," Ms. Lewellen said. "The contemporary service has more upbeat, lively music, more geared to the younger members and younger people with families. It is an earlier service. We get in and get out and get on with our day." Sunday's dedication service will be a blend of both the old and new. Martha Sherlock is looking forward to the celebration. Four generations of her family have attended Garden Crest, said Mrs. Sherlock, clerk of the church's session or leadership board. "We have an emotional investment in wanting to see it grow," the grandmother of three said. "Whatever we're doing must be right because God has really blessed us."
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