A Response to New Creation's Offer


I am very grateful for the offer from New Creation UMC. Since they are closing at the end of June this year, they have offered their 8.5 acres, phase one building, and blueprint plans for expansion to Salem for the cost of their remaining mortgage (about $312,000). Our brothers and sisters there must have had a difficult time deciding to discontinue after eighteen years. Furthermore, in the midst of grieving they had to decide what they would do with their land and building. While they had more than one option to consider, they chose to have a kingdom vision and offer it to Salem. In the face of death, they chose resurrection for New Creation and for Salem.

In the meantime, we were fasting and praying during Lent, seeking God’s guidance and direction for Salem. I am thankful for everyone who fasted and prayed! A church does not operate on a model or by pastoral plans and strategies. Rather, the Spirit of God moves in purposeful and often surprising ways to accomplish God’s will. As God’s people we place our trust in the Lord and in God’s provision for us while remaining open to the surprising ways of God.

New Creation’s offer is a gracious gift. The Spirit of God is on the move! We have the opportunity to receive their land and building and continue a United Methodist presence there on the southwest side of Cedar Rapids. This location next to Target (near Westdale Mall) is a greatly underserved area. There are new neighborhoods immediately next to the church property, across the street (Edgewood Road), and down Highway 151 into Fairfax. There are also very few churches in the area. What an opportunity for us to be the church, to be the church to the people who live in those neighborhoods, to be Jesus to our neighbors.

Accepting this offer would be very good stewardship too. We would only pay $312,000 for a property worth about $1,200,000. With the $750,000 from buyout money we could pay off the outstanding mortgage completely and invest the remaining $438,000 in expansion.

This offer from New Creation seems like a gift from the Lord. It includes a good mission, a good location with major roads, a good opportunity for expansion, and good stewardship. And we still have the Blairs Ferry land! Saying “yes” to New Creation does not mean saying “no” to the Blairs Ferry Land. We are still very excited about what God is doing there. Perhaps it will be an extension of Salem, like a multiple campus. Perhaps it will be a whole new congregation birthed by Salem. Perhaps it will be a retreat center. However the Spirit of God moves, it will be a wonderful place for a worshiping faith community.

The flood thrust Salem into a difficult situation. It has been painful and stressful. But God is able to bring good out of destruction. God is good! Salem consists of wonderful people with a long history and a heart for mission. We have an opportunity that few congregations ever have. We can start fresh, keeping the best of who we are while moving in new ways. This is a great adventure. Thanks be to God!

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