Salvation for a Church?

Previously, first reported here .... Death of a Church and The Church Is Not So Dead....

Here is the rest of the story on New Orleans Baptist Church as found in today's Tampa Tribune. Essentially this story comes to tensions between people with a different perspectives. This difference in perspectives also exists in the neighborhood.

Church Seeks Divine Intervention
By KATHY STEELE ksteele@tampatrib.com
Published: May 14, 2005

SEMINOLE HEIGHTS
http://www.tampatrib.com/News/MGB6SGGZO8E.html

Almost seven years ago, the Rev. Samuel Kirkland happened to drive by the New Orleans Baptist Church on a Sunday.

Inside, he found about a dozen people. In the 80-year- old church's heyday as many as 600 worshippers would have filled the cavernous sanctuary.

"The faithful few that were here were worshipping, attempting to hang on,'' Kirkland said.

"They had no pastor.''

Congregants invited him to lead their church. The name was changed about two years ago to Faith in Christ Baptist Church.

Today, the church at 1109 E. Osborne St., rich in land but cash poor, struggles to survive. Its membership, estimated by Kirkland at not more than 40 people, reflects the community's racial and ethnic diversity.

And, again, it is without a pastor.

In a dispute with some members about the church's future, Kirkland has resigned. He had hoped - and believed most church members agreed - that church land should be sold to raise money for repairs to the sanctuary and to develop and build affordable housing in the community.

Instead, church members are waiting to learn whether Bell Shoals Baptist Church in Brandon will step in and establish a satellite branch at their church.

Longtime church member Jeanelle Hires said she and others have no problem with affordable housing, but selling church property was going down the wrong path.

Hires, a member for more than 60 years, said she never misses Sunday services or prayer meetings. She taught Sunday school for nearly 40 years.

"That's been my life. I just believe [the church] is a mission of the Lord and dedicated land to the Lord,'' Hires said. "I could not participate in it being sold and destroyed for something else. I'd like to see it grow to what it once was.''

In a vote by members after a May 6 prayer meeting, the decision was to move forward with the proposal to Bell Shoals. Tom Biles, executive director of the Tampa Bay Baptist Association, served as visiting pastor for the prayer service and for the following Sunday's church service.
All 163 Baptist churches in the association operate independently, Biles said.

"We certainly hope it returns to being a strong, healthy church administration to the community,'' Biles said. "I know the people would support that.''

New Orleans Baptist Church once was among the premier churches in suburban Tampa, and has been a member of the Baptist association since 1924.

Bell Shoals representatives were expected to tour the property before reaching a decision. In an e-mail, the Rev. Forrest Pollock wrote, "We are open to considering the acquisition of any church property that might enable us to better reach people for Jesus.''

If Bell Shoals declines the offer, other churches will be contacted, Hires said.

Kirkland had a vision much different for the church, one he said came to him through prayer.

"We don't want to diminish the history of this church,'' Kirkland said. `"But we need to move forward. Look at what we have and how little we're using of it. This is also a war on poverty.''

Money from the land sale would pay for repairs to the sanctuary, which Kirkland said has ample room to accommodate growth. In addition to affordable housing, he wanted outreach programs, including tutoring, mentoring and free counseling. Job training workshops also would be possible, he said.

Though the county's property appraiser's office lists the value of the land and four buildings at more than $1 million, the church struggled to pay Kirkland's monthly salary.

"There is no tithing base,'' Kirkland said.

After last year's hurricane season, Kirkland decided the sanctuary was unsafe and moved church services into the education building. The roof leaks and there is mold in the sanctuary, he said.

The ceiling in a second-floor classroom in the sanctuary has collapsed. Electricity upgrades are needed, and there are problems with other buildings, including plumbing, Kirkland said.

Hires and other members say the buildings are salvageable.

"It needs repairs, but we don't have the wherewithal to do that,'' Hires said.

That's where Bell Shoals or another church can help, she said.

On both sides there have been accusations of unfair tactics in arriving at the proposal made to Bell Shoals.

"This is a hostile takeover,'' Kirkland said.

He said he was disappointed that the Baptist association seemed to take sides.

Church member Porfiria Ramirez, who served on a committee that considered the church's options, said she thought Kirkland's housing plan was a good idea.

"I'm very disheartened,'' Ramirez said. However, she said she plans to remain a member "and see this through to the end.''

Kirkland said he will take a break from preaching but plans to remain active in east Tampa and Seminole Heights.

"What endures is the true calling of the Christian church today,'' he said. "I wish them well.''

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 259-7146.