By BARATO BRITT
Turbulent times demand leadership that is steady, resolute and faithful to the calling that compels others to follow.
This is an undeniable truth, whether in civic, corporate, or other societal relations, or in the home.
Among the faith community, seldom has the hunger for such leadership been so acute. At a time when faith is tested in ways that defy conventional wisdom, those responsible with guiding believers are in short supply.
However, for the past 35 years this need has been irrelevant for the membership of New Era Church. Since accepting the call to shepherd the Northside New Era Baptist Church in 1990, Lead Pastor, Rev. Dr. Clarence Moore and First Lady Hope Moore have stewarded souls in a manner that not only revitalized the church, but has extended to the broader community via their intentional focus on revitalization and social justice as a ministry mandate.
Over their tenure, the church’s membership has exploded. In fact, the church grew from 60 members when Clarence Moore was installed in 1990 to nearly 2,000 members and counting. Throughout the years, they have stewarded the church family in times of celebration and grief, all the while cultivating an environment of worship, study and service.
Though their decision to leave the mantle of leadership comes at a time of unprecedented uncertainty, they recognize that the need to transition the institution to a new chapter is equally ordained.
“After much prayer, reflection and consultation with our family, First Lady Hope and I believe the time has come for us to transition into a new season of life and ministry,” Clarence Moore wrote in a letter to the congregation, sharing their decision. “Serving as Pastor and First Lady for the past 35 years has been one of the greatest privileges and blessings of our lives. Together, we have journeyed through seasons of growth, change and transformation. Through it all, we have been united by our love for God and our commitment to living out His Word in our lives, the Church, and the community.”
As a result of their extensive service, they now boast a multitude of faith, community and economic development achievements from which the church will build. These achievements are rooted in the institution’s expressed charge to “evangelize the lost, edify the saved, minister to those in need and be a conscience in the community.”
In terms of community presence, that conscience manifests in significant place-based efforts, particularly involving youth.
During the era they affectionately refer to as their “prime years,” New Era’s established community development footprint enabled comprehensive Out of School Time support to youth via the establishment of Operation More Hope (OMH). The after-school program served students in partnership with Indianapolis Public School (IPS) 42, IPS and the Edna Martin Christian Center.
A dream the First Lady envisioned as the church’s neighborhood footprint expanded, the program afforded a rigorous, high-quality Out-of-School Time option for a historically significant neighborhood school, under the Indiana Department of Education’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant.
“The mission of OMH was to close learning gaps and provide students with the tools to be successful and was developed from Dr. Martin Luther King’s idea, ‘Intelligence plus character- that is the goal of true education,’” the Hope Moore said.
Throughout the month of October, the New Era Church Family will commemorate the successful completion of a journey embarked upon more than three decades ago.
The activities will culminate the weekend of Oct. 25th, with a gala and community-facing worship service in recognition of their global footprint.
True servant leadership is exemplified not by what is honored, but rather by what endures. In these times, the tug for demonstrated faith warriors to remain looms large as the current social climate lacks leaders with the truest conviction. Still, for these true stewards, the successful completion of their collective task is all a grateful community can ask.
“It has been a tremendous blessing to serve both the congregation and the surrounding community these 35 years,” Clarence Moore reflected.
New Era Church welcomes all as part of this celebration of service, Additional information can be found via the church’s website, www.nne.org.
Barato Britt is President/CEO of the Edna Martin Christian Center and a member of New Era Church.
