City Outreach, Part 7

Key Question: “What else is Tenth Church doing during this time?”

As we contemplate a capital campaign, we are mindful of Tenth’s mission to build a fellowship of kingdom-minded disciples. We are a wonderfully large and diverse community of believers. That blessing presents a dilemma: how can we connect people within the church and make sure their pastoral needs are being met?

Pastor Marion Clark and Elder Steve Carter head the Kingdom Discipleship Commission, which has responsibility for pastoral care, parish effectiveness, and building community. Building on the parish system, the Commission wants to improve communication with the installation of Tenth Community Assistants. These TCA’s will maintain relationships with approximately ten members each so they can facilitate better connection to the church and particularly to their parish elders. About twenty-five are in place now. Other developments are taking place among the elders and diaconate to better equip them and free them up for pastoral care. Please read the Commission’s report which was released in September 2007. Copies are in both church lobbies and can be found on Tenth’s website under Tenth Ministries\Discipleship.

As part of our mission to reach Center City, Tenth has committed to a ministry that brings a vibrant and transforming kingdom presence to our surrounding neighborhoods. One means of achieving this is through the work of Paul Tripp, Minister to Center City. Early in the new year, he will launch a re-designed evening worship service, steeped in the Reformed tradition, that will provide a more participatory worship experience. We want to welcome people to a community of faith that takes worship seriously and communicate the awe of God. We pray that these services will be instruments of Christ’s redemptive work in the life and culture of Center City.

Project of the Week: City Outreach Project │ $350,000
Following the model of the early church in Acts, we are convinced that planting new churches remains the most effective way to evangelize Philadelphia. We are in the midst of a fruitful church planting climate in our region. Within the last decade, the Philadelphia Presbytery has planted ten churches, including three Tenth daughter churches. We want, in partnership with presbytery, to saturate the city with new churches, reaching the lost where they are. Church planting multiplies our original investments. Because they take in new members and develop their own outreach budgets, we multiply the numbers we bring into God’s kingdom both in terms of people and funds. We will approach church planting along two fronts: ethnic urban church plants and Tenth daughter churches.

Ethnic urban church plants typically require an extensive period of outside funding before achieving financial independence. They minister to new believers who otherwise might not have a place to worship and typically draw members with few resources. But they have a transforming effect in their immediate neighborhood because of the close, practical attention they are able to give. By giving an infusion of support, we can give them the needed boost to establish a foothold in their communities.

The funds designated for daughter churches will initially be used to support interns who will serve at Tenth with the intention of planting a daughter church in the near future. Critical factor to the success of a sustainable church plant is the ability of the minister. By providing initial support for his salary and by providing him experience and training in Tenth Church, we are more likely to enable his success.

Whether it is our emphasis on building a fellowship of kingdom minded disciples, ministering in Center City or planting churches to blanket the city, we take seriously the call to be a light in a dark world. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14).

Global Outreach, Part 6

Key Question: “Why does the capital campaign include designations for City and Global Outreach?”

Many of our local and global partners face challenges difficult for us to imagine. They minister to populations that are often hostile to God’s Word, encourage new believers to worship and fellowship together, and tend to the physical and spiritual needs of their communities. These activities require money, but fledgling city church plants and national ministries are often in communities rooted in poverty. These brothers and sisters need our financial help.

The City and Global Outreach designations represent a “double tithe” of the capital campaign giving. We believe the Lord would have us give out of our abundance to projects outside of Tenth’s direct needs. Our goal is to raise an additional $700,000, or 20% more than our projected capital expenses, as a double tithe—10% to city church plant work and 10% to global outreach projects. The projects selected have the involvement of partners connected with Tenth. While this represents a unique approach to capital campaigns, we believe it is consistent with our church mission of using the abundant resources with which God has blessed us to reach the city and multiply gospel ministry globally.

The strategic investment we make enables our local and global partners to accomplish more than they could through our ordinary offerings or Easter Sacrificial giving. Without this capital giving, it would be difficult for these ministries to otherwise accomplish their goals.

Project of the Week: Global Outreach Projects │ $350,000
God’s call for sacrificial giving should benefit not only us, but others throughout the world with whom we are already laboring. Each of the projects listed below represents the continuation of an existing partnership with Tenth-supported workers and national leaders.

• Continue construction of the Rafiki Village in Monrovia, Liberia, for orphans
• Continue construction of a church building, school, and children’s center in the Los Olivos community of Barranquilla, Colombia, with Gospel Through Colombia
• Contribute to the development of the African Enterprise Study Centre for Urban Mission and Evangelism to train up a new generation of church leaders in Africa
• Contribute to the endowment for the Dr. James M. Boice Chair of Practical Theology at the Reformed Seminary in Aix-en-Provence, the only Reformed seminary for the Francophone world
• Through a partnership with Miami International Seminary (MINTS), help Mission to the World (MTW) videotape teachers in the United States, translate the teaching, and offer the videos to students, pastors, and church planters throughout the Muslim world
• In keeping with our partnership with a major world people group, fund a church building project for a major city in a Muslim country.

Real Estate, Part 5

Key Question: “How can we consider a Capital Campaign when we are behind in our current giving?”

The gap between actual giving in 2007 and our budgets is an understandable concern as we consider undertaking a capital campaign in 2008. Trustee Clive Stockdale provided a report recently showing encouraging signs that we are in fact “catching up.” (See Tenth Press article from November 25, 2007). Giving in December often exceeds any other month’s so we are prayerfully hopeful that by the end of the year, giving will match expenses.

We have additional reasons to go forward. Next years’ ministry and building budgets will be flat: that is, there will be no overall increases, which should provide some relief. Furthermore, churches undertaking campaigns often experience increased giving to their operating budgets at the same time that money is being raised for capital expenditures.

Most importantly, as Rev. Clark wrote in part 1 of this series, the Capital Campaign will be a faith-stretching experience. In a season of sacrificial giving, God can teach us important lessons such as evaluating our spending priorities and depending on his Providence. Maybe we will experience, as the churches in Macedonia, the “abundance of joy” of those who give despite affliction and extreme poverty (2 Corinthians 8:2–3).

Project of the Week: Property Acquisition Reserve Account ¦ $400,000
Tenth Church presently suffers from a shortage of space in every major category. Nurseries are crowded; over 100 first through sixth graders meet each Sunday in the Catacombs; some adult classes cannot be offered because there is simply no place to meet; our congregational gathering space is essentially limited to the Sanctuary; and there is insufficient office space for existing staff. We already rent space to accommodate our needs and will need to lease additional space in the near future. The lack of facilities constrains our ability to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and serve him effectively. The ultimate goal, therefore, is to acquire nearby property to establish a multipurpose facility for gospel ministry. Our experience in ministry and vision for the future gives us confidence that these new facilities will be well used by both current and future generations. Consider our plight if past generations had lacked the foresight to acquire 1701 Delancey and 315 South 17th Street or excavate and renovate the Catacombs.

The real estate committee has, over recent months, identified and evaluated various properties and facilities that Tenth might purchase or rent to further its ministry agenda. Nearby real estate parcels that serve our needs are both limited and expensive. Nevertheless, there is a strong sense of urgency because undeveloped neighborhood properties are being developed and are not likely to be available again.

The purpose of this campaign project is to create a reserve account to help the Building Committee assess properties as they become available and act quickly when the right property is identified. Funds will be used to pay the initial fees that come with assessing a property’s suitability, including earnest money to take a property off the market while it is being evaluated and reimbursement for legal, architectural, and engineering services rendered as part of the evaluation process. Congregational approval is required prior to the purchase of any new property.

A Real Estate Report has been developed to provide a thorough overview of our property needs, as well as the principles and priorities we will follow in evaluating potential acquisitions. This report is posted on Tenth’s website.

Why an Elevator?, Part 4

Key Question: “Why do we need an elevator?”

Jesus honored the sometimes creative efforts made by and on behalf of those whose limitations made access to him difficult. Consider the blind beggar who would not be silenced. He strategically placed himself in Jesus’ path, crying “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!” (Luke 18:35–43). There is the woman whose bleeding made her an outcast but nevertheless had the temerity to pick her way through the crowd to be healed by touching the hem of Jesus’ robe (Luke 8:42–48). How about the compassion of Jesus for the invalid who could find no one to help him enter the healing pool? (John 5:1–8). Or the hated, diminutive tax collector who climbed the sycamore tree so he could personally see Jesus? (Luke 19:1–10). And then there is the example of extreme renovations: the resourceful efforts of four men who made it possible for their paralytic friend to be lowered through the roof to Jesus and hear his words, “Take up your bed and walk!” (Mark 2:1–12).

A major portion of the Capital Campaign is earmarked toward fulfilling a commitment that was made more than 10 years ago—to provide elevator access to areas of the facility that are presently inaccessible to those with physical limitations. The elevator will be located on the south wall of Reception/Fellowship Hall between the Middle Building and Delancey Building, thereby improving exterior wheelchair access as well as access to the Catacombs, Sanctuary, Fellowship Hall, Reception Hall, and the first three levels of the Delancey Building. This is an expensive endeavor which will negatively impact space that is already at a premium. Why then are we planning an elevator, and why at that location?

The Session has a long-standing but as yet unrealized commitment to an elevator. The Building Committee conducted an Access Survey in 2006 and found no shortage of members requiring physical assistance. Some members of our congregation can no longer serve the Tenth community simply because stairs bar their way. Statistics tell us that the fastest growing population is in the oldest age bracket. These are certainly compelling reasons. But more importantly, can there be any doubt that Jesus’ compassion and caring extends to all of his people? Shouldn’t we reflect his character by making it possible for those with physical limitations to participate in worship, education, and fellowship, being blessed in turn with their presence?

Before commencing any construction on the elevator, alternative space will be necessary to accommodate the nursery and pre-school children who will be displaced. This will necessitate finding appropriate rental space so that the needs of all of God’s children can best be met. The
goal of improving access for those with the greatest physical needs while minimizing the impact of lost space is certainly challenging. But God’s call for us to be ministers of his compassionate love demands no less.

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:40.

If you would like to see diagrams showing the floors accessed by the elevator, click here.

Digital Organ, Part 3

Key Question: “What is the capital campaign committee doing now?” Since September’s congregation meeting, the committee has been busy with the following:

• Leaders were recruited for each of the main areas of the campaign (check the campaign blog at http://capitalcampaign.blogspot.com for a listing of the committee).
• The committee has met to receive instruction and plan their respective parts of the campaign. Provided congregational support is received in early 2008, the campaign will launch shortly thereafter.
• Phil Ryken and Elmer Snethen are meeting with members ofSe ssion and lead donor candidates to solicit early commitments. It is important not only for the Session to speak with one voice in support of the campaign, but also to act as one in committing financially to the campaign.
  

Please keep the proposed campaign before the throne of grace through prayer (John 15:16). We seek the Lord’s leading, wisdom, and guidance. He must equip us to do his work and he must prepare the congregation for their role in the campaign.

We are greatly encouraged by what is already transpiring within the committee. As an example of God’s work, here is a testimony from Dori Baggs, who is leading the children’s part of the campaign:

I was put in a panic when asked to prayerfully consider chairing the Children’s Committee! Me? . . . I don’t have the skills necessary and this is way too big a task for me! I prayed and sought the Lord’s will with fresh diligence. My personal devotions became rich times of fellowship as I sought (am seeking!) the Lord with urgency and prayed for wisdom and direction. I found that through prayer and Bible reading, confidence in my own skills did not increase, but that my faith in God, who helps us in our weakness, was strengthened. One of the stated goals for undertaking a capital campaign is for spiritual growth to occur among the congregation. I bear witness that this is happening personally already. I praise God that
to date the planning has gone well and I look forward to what God will do through his people in 2008.

Project of the Week: Digital Organ $220,000
The current church organ, an Allen analog/digital instrument, was purchased in 1970, has lasted far beyond its life expectancy and, like the sound system, is on “life support.” Using it is the equivalent of working with an old, unstable computer that was last upgraded over twenty years ago (in 1985). At this point the organ is unreliable, with increasingly frequent breakdowns, popping, cracking, and pistons freezing. This project will purchase and install a 90-rank equivalent Walker digital organ. The new instrument will provide an immediate and noticeable improvement in sound, facilitating excellence in worship at an affordable price. The range of color and sounds available to our organists will be vastly improved. Specifically, the organ will enable fulfillment of Tenth’s objective “to worship God in a worthy manner through excellent music” among the other elements of worship.

As Session has discussed both a digital organ and a pipe organ in the past, some may ask, “Why is a digital organ rather than a pipe organ included in the campaign?” The current campaign includes a digital organ because the Capital Campaign Committee and Session concluded that a pipe organ (at a cost of about $2 million) was outside the scope of this campaign. A pipe organ remains a possible goal for a future campaign or may be realized sooner through gifts of potential underwriters. In that event, the digital organ would be sold or gifted to a church plant.