Report of the Executive Director, March 7, 2009
United Methodist Union of Greater Detroit Report of the Executive Director
to the Board of Trustees March 7, 2009
Introduction
As this is being written, my first 90 days as your Executive Director are visible only in the rear view mirror. Which feels good, but hardly qualifies me as a veteran. My colleagues in the ministry seem interested in my assessment. But they seldom inquire as to how my work is going. Instead, they seem fascinated with questions concerning my enjoyment. To some, I say (rather flippantly): “It’s like attending an eternal meeting of a local church Board of Trustees. Anyone who loves those meetings will love this job.” Then I add: “But every pastor knows that a smoothly functioning Board of Trustees can make a world of difference in a local church…even more so when those trustees keep regular company with people whose passion is mission.”
All of which is to say, “yes, I enjoy this job…even though many of the things I do are light years removed from my first love.” Most pleasurable are the interactions…with pastors and lay leaders, conference officials and other assorted visionaries and dreamers. Less exciting are the transactions…properties managed…rents collected…deals brokered. But it is “all of one piece.” The interactions are inseparable from the transactions. Such is the nature of this job. I meet people. I do business. Is there a priority? ‘Tis a great question for discussion.
Since arriving (officially) on December 1, 2008, I have had “professional” encounters with 24 of our 94 churches. One doesn’t need a degree in math to see that in one quarter of a year I have done something for one quarter of our churches. Some of those contacts are best measured in days rather than hours. A few are better measured in minutes. All of which makes me wonder, how much more work could the Executive Director do if he or she went looking for it.
But let’s leave such questions for another day. We have a meeting of our Full Board at hand, and (as issues go) I have more immediate fish to fry. So grab a fork and some tartar sauce. Here we go.
Apportionment payments
When we closed the books on 2008, we had received payments totaling $134,888.00 (down 2.5% from 2007 payments of $139,374.00). Which seems incredible, given a 15% decline, 2007 to 2008, in apportionments paid to the Annual Conference. Working in our favor are geographic proximity and a more manageable number of dollars requested. Could it also be said that “feelings” about the Union are more positive than sometimes expressed. As for 2009, it is still too early to draw any conclusions. Seven days into March, we have received $24,680.00. Also to be remembered is that we reduced our “asking” by 20% for 2009 (in an action taken by our Board in December of 2008).
Board Development Committee work
In two months time, we completed a plan of restructuring with committees formed and assignments made. As with any such effort, this will continue (for quite some time I expect) to be a work in progress. Some needs will best be filled by trustees yet to be sought, found, enticed and elected. But the real proof of the pudding will be in the work the committees do or do not do. Anybody can put together an “organizational chart”. It should also be noted that Paul Thompson has joined Rev. Jeff Nelson as co-chair of the Congregational Growth and Development Committee.
An orientation breakfast for new trustees was held on Saturday, February 28, 2009 at First UMC Dearborn. Nineteen persons participated. But only two of our six new trustees were able to attend. Testimonials to the United Methodist Union’s outreach and effectiveness were shared by Rev. Albert Rush and Minister Francine Parks (West Outer Drive UMC), Rev. Carl Gladstone (Young Leaders Initiative) and yours truly (Mentor is Residence). Lynne Larmee, Everett Howard, Gloria Alexander, Ken Harrington and Phares Noel also provided leadership, while Rev. Terry Euper (Clergy Assistant to Bishop Keaton) charged and installed the new trustees. The breakfast serves a most important function and, with ongoing tweaking and streamlining, will be an important part of our work for years to come.
Ongoing Projects
12819 E. Seven Mile property
This series of interconnected storefronts (which formerly housed Exousia UMC) has now been rented to Pastor Anthony Dowdell of Glorious Grace Covenant Ministries. The agreement, enacted on January 22, 2009, included a $2,000.00 security deposit, monthly rent of $1,000.00 and all utilities transferred from the United Methodist Union to the church.
Since that time, an offer to purchase the property has come from Pastor Carlous Kern of the Rising Saints in God. While offers and counter-offers continue to circulate, it does not yet appear that Pastor Kern has demonstrated the financial strength to execute an acceptable Land Contract.
Detroit: Metropolitan UMC
By now, your eyes may be strained from reading materials related to the Metropolitan Ministry Center. Accompanying this report is a memo I sent to Bishop Keaton (and several others) following our Executive Committee meeting on February 14, 2009. Please read it carefully, given its expressed “desire to partner” in any attempt to launch a new church start at 8000 Woodward Avenue. Nothing new has happened since the mailing of that memo. Reading the wind, it is far from clear that anything will…at least by July 1, 2009. Still, the future of Metropolitan UMC will be in our hearts and on our plate for months, if not years, to come. Stay tuned.
Pontiac: First UMC
As you know from background materials provided, we received this church and parsonage (38 Iroquois) on January 18, 2009. Since then, the following actions have taken place.
- Repairs were made to address immediate water and fire concerns in the parsonage
- The Church was listed for sale (purchase price $350,000.00)
- The church contents were inventoried, letters were sent to Detroit East and West District churches, and 21 congregations submitted requests
- A distribution process is “in the works” and will be completed within 4-6 weeks
- The old lease between Pontiac: First UMC and Pastor Frederick Barr of Power House Christian Center Church has been revoked, and a new lease between said church and the United Methodist Union is being negotiated
- The parsonage (38 Iroquois) has been listed for sale (as is) at a price $49,500.00
Kindly list all of the above under the category: “Parts of the job that are no fun.”
Recent Actions
Birmingham: First UMC
At our Executive Committee meeting, their loan request of $700,000.00 was granted at 5.25% interest with a 10 year amortization schedule and a five year term with a balloon payment required in 2014. While this was approved as an unsecured loan, we subsequently concluded that prudence and precedent suggested a mortgage. The church concurred and the transaction was completed. Over the five year period, the United Methodist Union will realize $139,536.00 in interest (over $35,000.00 of which will be received in the first year).
Detroit: Henderson Memorial UMC
In order to repair major leaks in the flat roof section of this church (Rev. Dr. Ken Christler’s last project), we worked with United Methodist Union trustee Harry Peck to evaluate three bids and awarded the contract to X-pert Construction (following a paper ballot canvass of United Methodist Union officers). Time and urgency were mandated by the severity of the problem and an imminent mid-winter thaw.
The work has been done at a total cost of $14,000.00. Following animated negotiations with the church…thanks, Keith Howard for your assistance…the United Methodist Union and the church settled on a 50% loan and 50% grant.
District Leadership Training Event
The United Methodist Union officers (paper ballot) approved two request from our East and West District Superintendents in the amount of $1,500.00 each to support March Madness (a district training event on Saturday, March 14, 2009, not an NCAA basketball pool). This action was ratified by the Executive Committee on February 14, 2009. At present (March 6) over 350 persons are registered to attend.
Pending Projects
Detroit: Central UMC
I recently met with Central UMC’s pastor Rev. Ed Rowe and United Methodist Union trustee Jacquelin Washington to discuss a project that would convert four floors of space to moderate income housing. Such a conversion would have missional and fiduciary benefits for both the community and Detroit Methodism’s other “Jerusalem Temple.” The church and its community development arm have been granted $50,000.00 by the Hudson Webber Foundation to make all the relevant studies pursuant to selecting a developer. However start-up costs are projected at $80,000.00. As of this writing, no grant/loan application has been received, but it is reasonable to expect that one might be forthcoming.
Franklin: Community UMC
Following an initial meeting with Rev. Jim Greer, I will meet with Franklin’s Board of Trustees on March 30, 2009. On the table will be a need for parking lot resurfacing…what role (if any) the Village of Franklin should play in it… and how to finance it, should the need arise. It is reasonable to expect some form of a funding application.
Grosse Pointe UMC
Conversations with Mike Lorenz of the Grosse Pointe congregation lead me to expect a loan inquiry (and perhaps a request) pursuant to a $500,000.00+ balloon payment that must be made by December 1, 2009 completing the financing of their new sanctuary.
Justice for Our Neighbors (JFON)
This organization appeared before us (with materials) in December of 2008. In order to crystallize their intent and related requests for funding and/or office space, a meeting should be scheduled between leaders of this group (Rev. Melanie Carey and Deacon Paul Perez) and our Community Development Committee before another month expires.
Rochester Hills: St. Luke’s UMC
I recently met with three leaders of this congregation including Rev. Dr. Julius Del Pino. They carry some “baggage” from previous dealings with the United Methodist Union. I think we were able to smooth a few of the bumps in that road. At present, they are redesigning their ministry from a “pastoral services” church to a “program centered” church. It would appear that a financial request loams on the horizon. Stay tuned.
Samaritan Counseling Center
We enjoy an excellent working relationship with this organization. Headquartered at Nardin Park UMC and led by a Methodist preacher, Rev. Paul Melrose, they would like to partner with us and Birmingham: First UMC to bring Diana Butler Bass to town in the spring of 2009. Her positive-leaning book about mainline denominations Christianity for the Rest of Us is widely-known and highly affirmed. She would be a big-time draw. Shared costs would total $5,000.00. Rev. Paul Melrose, Rev. Jack Harnish and I are meeting next week to discuss this. A motion to refer any dollar-related request to the Leadership Development Committee would be appropriate.
Waterford: Four Towns UMC
I have had multiple conversations with this small, struggling congregation. One issue concerns a property line dispute which does not appear to be acrimonious or urgent. But it is bothersome. I offered to pick up $300.00 worth of attorney time to consult and draft a letter which should (hopefully) clarify the matter. The second issue concerns ongoing seepage (worse each spring) in the church’s unused basement and whether there are mold-related issues. I arranged (paid for) Scott McCarrick to visit, inspect, and report back to me.
Young Leaders Initiative (YLI)
You have read some extremely well-prepared materials relevant to this project (in which we have a major investment). The new Youth and Young Adult Committee now needs to meet with Rev. Carl Gladstone, Cliff Bath and others to finalize a recommendation. Zac Eskau and Rev. Jeff Nelson should also be involved in this deliberation. A May or June target for deciding is imperative.
Late Addition: a hand out from Rev. Carl Gladstone – available at our meeting – will request the use of 18035 Wildemere to house up to five Vista volunteers (working in consort with YLI) between August 2009 and August 2010. YLI would assume all utilities and understands that this property could be sold at any time an acceptable offer is forthcoming.
Final Addendum
I heartily support Art Christy’s recommendation that Mt. Clemens: First UMC’s request be honored with a $5,000.00 grant and a $12,000.00 loan (4.25% over 10 years). Art and I made a thorough on-site evaluation and couldn’t feel any more positively about what is happening there.
Respectfully submitted,
Rev. Dr. William A. Ritter, Executive Director