4 minute read
A Season of Legacy
One church's ending becomes another church's new beginning.
By Seth Hix, CBFNC associate coordinator
If so, you’ll want to read this brief account of my recent conversation with Rev. David Peppler, former pastor of Chamberlayne Baptist Church (CBC) in Richmond, Virginia. While CBC is not in North Carolina, it is connected to us through the broader Fellowship of CBF, as well as their two most recent pastors, who both have CBFNC connections.
The history of CBC parallels many in our state’s fellowship. Founded in 1953 to serve a northern suburb of the city, it saw its ministry programs flourish for several decades, perhaps reaching its peak in the 80s and 90s. The early 2000s saw a slow and steady decline. There were no major church splits; only minor divisions over ministry and style. As the demographics of the community around them changed, church members gradually moved away.
When Rev. Peppler arrived in August 2016, the active membership had dropped to around 85 and the church’s budget was disproportionately spent on maintaining their facilities. Following his first year of ministry there, which included 14 funeral services for dearly beloved saints, he felt led to engage the church in some creative ministry experiments. After experiencing a balance of measured successes and failures, the CBC church leadership was noticeably tired. He knew that they lacked the energy it would take to turn things around.
One night at a deacons meeting, Rev. Peppler boldly set aside the regular business of the church to pose a precarious question to the church leadership. “Where do you see Chamberlayne Baptist Church in five years?” The reaction of the deacons was unmistakable. Heads bowed and shoulders slumped.
Rev. Peppler began a sermon series on being a “Church in the Wilderness.” He also replaced the regular Wednesday night programming for conversations about the church’s future. In this informal setting they learned about how God’s people are to pray in the wilderness, as well as how God cares for his people in the wilderness. Eventually, the Wednesday night sessions turned into brainstorming sessions about the church’s future. No ideas were off-limits or too crazy!
A “Futures Team” of key church leaders was formed to continue the work of researching community needs, exploring feasible options, as well as hosting more town-hall discussions with congregation and community leaders. This grassroots approach was critical to the congregation’s spiritual discernment. Yet, since most of the remaining members had been there for 50-plus years, Rev. Peppler says it was also “a deeply painful and emotional process.”
Ultimately, the congregation felt led to gift their debt-free church building to a congregation who could more effectively minister to the community around them. After identifying three possible congregations, they chose Bethlehem Baptist Church, a 128-year old African American church, to carry on ministry in CBC’s facility. Thus, CBC church leaders began the legal and logistical process of disbanding the congregation.
On Sunday, June 6, 2021, the congregation gathered to celebrate 67 years of faithful ministry in the Chamberlayne Farms neighborhood. Then the next Sunday, June 13, the members of Bethlehem Baptist and Chamberlayne Baptist joined together for a combined worship service to celebrate all the wonderful ways in which God will use their combined gifts for years to come!
Both churches gather to celebrate God's gifts and goodness.
There is certainly sadness and grief around the conclusion of one congregational life-cycle. Yet, even in the midst of agonizing conversations, Rev. Peppler said, “God’s faithfulness was ever-present as He made things very clear to us along the way.”
Throughout the process, Rev. Peppler remained open and honest, focusing on seasons of ministry and maintaining faith in these difficult circumstances. One Sunday he even preached a sermon on, “What to look for in your next Church!”
The story of Chamberlayne Baptist is a reminder for us all that God’s work extends well beyond the limitations of any one congregation. The boundaries of neighborhoods, ethnicity and congregational identity do not apply to God’s Kingdom.
We must allow ourselves to be uncomfortable and to answer for ourselves the question that permeated every conversation and decision made by Chamberlayne Baptist Church, “Is this what God wants?”
CBFNC Can Support You & Your Church
Church seasons and pastoral transitions are a normal part of congregational life. CBFNC offers support and resources for churches, pastors and church leaders in all seasons of ministry. To learn more about how CBFNC can support your church or ministry, visit the “equip” section of our website at www.cbfnc.org/equip.
For pastors and churches in need of help through a transition, contact Seth Hix, associate coordinator, (seth.hix@cbfnc.org) to learn more about engaging with CBFNC in this process.
