Dear Central Family,

A few weeks ago, the Church Council notified the church family that the Discernment Process at Central had been paused by the NW District Superintendent. This action was taken so that Central could consider a request by Genesis Church (through its Advisory Council and Pastor Jody Farrell) to explore a process that could result in Genesis incorporating as its own, independent non-denominational church and ultimately acquiring or leasing from Central the physical property located at 205 W. Martin Luther King Boulevard. Last week the Board of Trustees (the committee charged with overseeing the church’s physical property) met to take up the issue and had extensive discussion about the matter. Above all, the Trustees collectively expressed a desire to be deliberate, transparent, and expedient on this matter given its connection to the discernment process and the fact that Genesis is an important part of Central’s mission.
 

The following actions were taken by the Trustees to help provide them with essential information to make a decision and to facilitate a process that also engages the entire church family / congregation.

• A request was made by the Board of Trustees for the Genesis Church Advisory Council to provide a letter to Central formally expressing their intent to incorporate as an independent church and their desire to buy or lease the property on Martin Luther King Boulevard. (This letter has been received by Central leadership and shared with the Board of Trustees.)
 

• A request was made for the Genesis Church pastor to provide a communication to persons who regularly attend Genesis Church to apprise them of the situation more fully. (This is in process and, once sent, will be shared with the broader church family as well.)
 

• Property Valuation. The trustees requested that church staff assist them by contacting persons with commercial real estate expertise and property appraisal knowledge to obtain an approximate fair market valuation of the subject property. (This is in process.)
 

• Legal Counsel. The trustees requested that church staff contact a local attorney with knowledge of real estate law to advise them on matters related to leasing or selling the property. (An attorney within the church has agreed to assist with this.)
 

IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE INPUT: In an effort to seek feedback from the congregation in a timely manner, the Board of Trustees has scheduled a Zoom webinar session to be held on Sunday, February 5, at 4:00 p.m. Details of this webinar can be found (HERE). This webinar is for the church family and is expected to last approximately one hour. The format for the webinar will include a background and history on Genesis Church and their desire to become independent; a panel discussion moderated by Central’s Board of Trustee’s chair, Brock Gearhart consisting of key leaders of Central and Genesis; a question/answer time to receive questions from those viewing online for the panel; and a few poll questions at the end of the webinar to assist in gauging churchwide feedback regarding the disposition of the property. The responses to the poll questions will help guide the Board of Trustees in their decisions but will not represent an official action by the church. Ultimately the Board of Trustees will make a recommendation to the Church Council on the matter after considering the feedback from the church. A link for the webinar will also be available on the homepage of the church’s website and provided through the upcoming church newsletter. We highly encourage you to attend this webinar as it will be the primary way for the Board of Trustees to gain valuable feedback from our congregation on this important issue.
 

The Board of Trustees will next meet on Monday, February 6 for a “working session” to review church feedback and determine next steps with a tentative meeting scheduled for February 13th to determine what actions, if any, should be recommended to the Church Council regarding the Genesis property. We continue to seek your prayers for wisdom and guidance as we move forward. If you have questions or comments in the meantime, that you would like to be forwarded to the Board of Trustees please direct them to info@centraltolife.com.
 

In Christ,

Central UMC Board of Trustees