Presbytery Reformation Task Force Update December 20, 2009
Background
The Presbytery Reformation Task Force is charged with developing recommendations to the Presbytery Council for the presbytery’s future, including a financial plan for the repayment of a loan of about $11 million, due August 31, 2010. PRTF recognizes that these recommendations will have a lasting effect on the overall future mission of the Presbytery, and PRTF takes this responsibility seriously, faithfully, and prayerfully as God calls us to move into a new future together. PRTF members very much appreciate your prayers for the task force and for the entire presbytery as together we discern that calling.
In April 2009 the Council reported on PRTF’s multifaceted strategy for approaching the debt. PRTF continues to pursue all six strategies; all are live options at present. Each of the six strategies, in several combinations, are currently under serious consideration.
A combination of strategies will almost certainly be needed to meet our financial obligations. Specific details about several of the strategies outlined below cannot be discussed at this time because of the confidential nature of the negotiations; such details would accompany any final recommendations to the Assembly.
A summary report with PRTF’s recommendations will be presented to the Presbytery Council in late January 2010, with motions for action probable at the February 9, 2010 meeting of the Assembly. Action on these strategies will require the thoughtful attention of the Assembly. While time is short, presbyters will not be asked to make a major decision without the opportunity to review such recommendations in advance.
Several strategies involve Presbyterian Camps in Saugatuck, Michigan, which is the site of the Presbytery’s camping ministry and the Presbytery’s most valuable asset. From the beginning, the outright sale of the Camp has been considered by PRTF to be a thoroughly undesirable option if it results in eliminating the camping ministry at Saugatuck. Evidence for this can be seen in PRTF’s response (in II and III below) to the two parties who have expressed interest in an outright purchase of the camp; in both cases, PRTF asked the potential buyers to consider buying only a portion of the camp and leaving the remainder for an ongoing Presbyterian camping ministry. PRTF continues to seek a plan which enables the camping ministry to continue and the debt to be repaid.
Here is an update on the various strategies:
I. Sale of 100 S. Morgan Street
Two purchase offers have been seriously considered; one has resulted in a letter of intent.
II. Outright Sale of Presbyterian Camps
In late November, two unsolicited expressions of interest in purchasing the camp outright have been received. Discussions with each party are continuing.
III. Explore the Sale of Portions of Presbyterian Camps
In response to PRTF prompting, both potential buyers mentioned above are considering developing a portion of the camp property while leaving the remainder for the Presbytery’s camping ministry. Such an arrangement may involve reconfiguring the camp to maintain capacity. Both have expressed a willingness to consider a partial purchase.
IV. Camping Covenant with LCC
PRTF has conducted a series of discussions with Lakeshore Christian Camping (LCC), to determine if the LCC is a viable option to purchase the camp and become a covenant partner with POC in operating Presbyterian Camps. The LCC is an Illinois religious non-profit 501(c) 3 organization with a board of directors made up of Chicago-area Presbyterians. Tentative agreement has been reached on major components of LCC bylaws and a covenant relationship between LCC and Presbytery of Chicago, should such a sale be consummated.
PRTF has not yet been apprised of evidence of support for the LCC’s plan to repay its anticipated debt of at least ten million dollars.
V. Sale of Church Properties
Proceeds from sale of the building of the dissolved Elmwood Park Presbyterian Church will likely be available for debt retirement.
VI. Capital Campaign Feasibility Study
Ter Molen Watkins and Brandt has been engaged to conduct a feasibility study for a potential capital campaign for the future PC(USA) ministry in the Chicago metropolitan area, including—but not necessarily limited to—debt retirement, new church development, and Presbyterian Camps. The study will be completed by the end of December.
VII. Survey Results
This fall, PRTF hosted a series of weekly lunches for Ministers of Word and Sacrament in the Presbytery of Chicago. The Task Force felt that pastors, as key leaders in regular contact with church members, are a vital communication link with congregations. A brief presentation was made about PRTF’s multi-faceted approach. Questions and group discussion were invited, and the clergy were asked to fill out a short survey about the relative importance of possible options. Choices ranged from #1-#5, with #1 as most important and #5 as least important. While the results of the survey are not scientific, they do offer a helpful insight into the views of committed and thoughtful minister members of this presbytery.
There was extremely strong support for selling the presbytery offices at 100 South Morgan Street and the now closed Elmwood Park Church. A majority also rated using the presbytery’s limited investments to pay down the debt as a more important option, and there was some support for a capital campaign. Responses about possible options concerning the camps tended to be more evenly divided, with the question about a total sale of the camp property generating almost identical 20% support for each choice from most important (#1) through least important (#5). Responses to the question about selling the camps to a third party for a Presbyterian camping ministry were similarly divided. While slightly more support was shown for a) selling the camps and partnering with another camp or b) selling only a portion of the camps for development while maintaining a camping ministry on the property, the response overall was still more evenly divided: while 83% of pastors support a Presbytery camping ministry, 37% regard the Saugatuck location as essential.
A detailed breakdown of the survey results can be found at this link.
Members of PRTF:
John Buchanan, Chicago Fourth
Barbara Ellson, Evanston Northminster
Nereida Gonzalez, Chicago Vida Nueva
Don Register, Honorably Retired
Joy Douglas Strome, Chicago Lake View
Dale Valaskovic, Chicago Good Shepherd
Greg Bostrom, Wildwood, Moderator
Barbara Bundick, Stated Clerk, ex officio
Bob Reynolds, Executive Presbyter, ex officio
