One Huge Step for MPC

by Jim Lyon, Senior Pastor

17 Steps. If you imagine taking just 17 steps, it doesn’t seem like that big of a deal.  If you think of 17 steps as 17 things to do, well, it’s a bit more challenging.  But, still doable.  Still, very achievable.  And, yes, 17 steps can actually take us a long way into the future.

17 Steps. Madison Park has been moving forward on 17 different fronts since early in the year, growing and stretching for Heaven’s sake, preparing to meet the future.  Each step focuses our congregation on the road ahead, on growing (individually and as a family), and on meeting tomorrow’s challenges.

I am thankful to announce that one huge step in our list of 17 has now been taken:  a deal has been signed for the future of our Scatterfield property.  Our last church home (on the north side of town) has been for sale since we moved to Madison Park three years ago.  The building has been maintained—and often used—during that time.  It is sacred ground still in ministry (hosting many weddings, funerals, small groups, mission teams, and our NorthKids Before-and-After School Care program, among other things).  It has been home during the last year to Bethel United Methodist Church on Sundays, as that congregation waited for the reconstruction of its building to be completed (following a tragic fire).  Bethel moved into its new facility as the summer dawned—and we then began negotiating with another church family.  This family, though, wants to buy the place.  And we have agreed.

The New Life Worship Center in Indianapolis has inked the contract (as has Madison Park), moving the property into New Life’s hands beginning November 1.  Here’s a thumbnail:

(1)     New Life will plant a satellite congregation at Scatterfield.  With 3,000 attending New Life’s worship centers in Indy already, the church is anxious to expand in Anderson.  There are many folks from Madison County who already drive to new Life in Indy on Sundays—and they will form a core launch team for the new satellite on Scatterfield.  New Life speaks powerfully into the African-American community especially—and its visionary pastor, John Ramsey, has become an outstanding advocate for the Gospel, Christian living, and biblical values in the Indianapolis metro.  Pastor Ramsey’s theology, spirit, and passion for transformational change in the community match our own.

(2)     New Life will lease the building for seven months.  During that time, New Life will assume full responsibility for the site’s operational expenses and additionally, pay us rent.  During November and December, they will finalize the ministry groundwork for their new launch in Anderson, set for January.

(3)     It is New Life’s intention to purchase the building at the end of the seven month lease; if the new satellite ministry at Scatterfield does not prove viable by March 31, however, New Life can opt not to buy.

(4)     The terms of purchase have been agreed upon, outlined in the contract, and approved by our mortgage company (which had to sign off on the deal, too); Scatterfield, like all our properties, is held as collateral against our system-wide debt; we consolidated our debts when we moved into our new facilities in 2007.  We ordered a new appraisal of the Scatterfield property in June of this year; it came in at $1.65 million.  New Life will pay us $1.2 million, cash.  Our 17 Steps plan included a $1.25 million sale of Scatterfield; with the sale price and the lease income combined, we’re there, matching our projected need.  Given the economic realities of our town and time, this is in the near-miracle category.

(5)     New Life would like to partner with Madison Park, as it expands into Madison County, too.  I am meeting with Pastor Ramsey in a few days to explore the possibilities and finalize plans for a joint service of worship (with mass choirs, shared platform, and a common voice) in January.  The Holy Spirit always does great things when God’s people work together, as one Body.  Our two congregations, side-by-side, have enormous potential to bring folks together.  Awesome.

Thanks to our Scatterfield Sale Team (including Business Administrator Rob Spaulding, Real Estate Agent Tom Seal, Attorney Bill Davisson, Barry Bentley, Dave Crandall, Terry McCardwell, and Dave Whitmoyer—some of the best real estate, financial, and legal heads in the county); the Team represented our Board of Elders, managing the negotiations and disposition of the property.

Another of the 17 Steps targets prayer.  A 14-day, 24-hour-a-day prayer initiative launched the whole 17 Step project in February.  That prayer platform continues.  We’re watching God’s intervening hand move, week-by-week.  Prayer opens the door for God’s power to be displayed among us.  Thanks for praying.  Keep it up.  And, thanks for being faithful!  Even with the long, lazy days of summer, attendance on Sunday mornings at Madison Park is up 5% over summer last year.  We’re praying for 10% by year’s end.  Don’t miss any of the Do Something Sundays (now through October 10).  God is doing something already.  Be encouraged.