Many people will remember 2011 as a year of transition for the faith community in Indianapolis.
Change, for better or worse, seemed to be the order of the day for many churches and faith based organizations. How ministers, church members and area residents react to those changes could impact the community for years to come.
Farewell to friends
Perhaps most remembered will be the transition of leadership that occurred in several Indianapolis congregations, due to the death or retirement of popular and highly respected ministers.
In June, prominent minister and longtime civic leader, Pastor Landrum E. Shields, died at age 84. He was founder of Covenant Community Church, served as the first African-American president of the Indianapolis Public Schools Board of Commissioners, and in 1984 founded the Indianapolis chapter of 100 Black Men, a mentoring organization.
The following month, Bishop James E. Tyson, a national Pentecostal leader and respected elder among local ministers, passed away at age 84.
Tyson had served as bishop of the Fourth Episcopal Diocese of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, an Indianapolis based denomination. In 1976, he established Christ Temple Apostolic Church and became one of the first African-American ministers to build a church in the city’s suburbs.
“He was a kind, gracious, and humble prayer warrior, a champion of the underdog, and a true man of God,” said J. Laverne Tyson, who succeeded his father as pastor of Christ Church Apostolic.
After 33 years as senior pastor of Emmanuel Unity Temple Zion Inc., Elder Mildred Mockabee Tyler died at age 82. The church’s evangelist, Emma L. Hill, passed away a short time later. In spite of these losses, the church pledged to go forth.
Tyler was succeeded by Pastor Karen M. Poston, who was installed in November.
“Emmanuel Unity Temple of Zion will continue to grow in the power and authority of the Word of God, believing that he who began a good work will perform it,” Poston said.
In September, Archbishop Daniel Buchclein of the Catholic Diocese of Indianapolis resigned his post due to health challenges, including a mildstroke and cancer.
“I want to thank all of the clergy, archdiocesan staff and lay people for the support they have given me over the years,” he said. “With their help and the help of God we have been able to accomplish much.”
Bishop Christopher J. Coyne, auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, was named by Pope Benedict as Apostolic Administrator until a new archbishop is appointed.
In October, after leading his congregation to growth and service during 42 years as pastor of Light of the World Christian Church (LWCC), Bishop Tom Benjamin announced he will retire as senior pastor at the end of 2012.
“It’s very simple. I’m not sick, I’m not mad, I’m not in trouble, I’m not being put out,” Benjamin told the Recorder. “I made a decision based on hearing the voice of God tell me I have another assignment, which is to invest more of my life and time at this point of my life with my grandchildren and family.”
A special succession search committee selected Dr. David Hampton, an Indianapolis native and former pastor of Bethany Baptist Church in Brooklyn, N.Y., to succeed Benjamin following a transition period in which both ministers will be involved with the congregation.
“I’ve watched Bishop Benjamin all my life and he’s become a father in the ministry to me,” Hampton said. “I never imagined that I would pastor Light of the World, but I’ve always used Bishop Benjamin as my model. I felt like he was the greatest shepherd I had ever seen in the way he loves his (congregation) and the way he is patient.”
Movin’ on up
Despite the sluggish economic recovery and the foreclosure of church buildings nationwide, several local congregations celebrated the growth and expansion of their facilities.
In January, New Life Worship Center, under the leadership of Pastor John Ramsey, opened its third location in the Central Indiana city of Anderson.
“We are now blessed to be able, in this recession, to still invest in the business of ministering to people,” Ramsey said.
In March Eastern Star Church opened its new 120,000 square foot, 3,000-seat Northwest campus at 5805 N. Cooper Road, which includes a 3,000-seat sanctuary, tech-savvy youth wing, spacious adult education wing, covered outdoor patio, chapel/multipurpose room, production area and administrative offices.
“For us to come into this new facility is wonderful, especially during the down economic times,” Johnson said. “We are excited about seeing what God will do with this facility. It gives us another place to meet needs. When people need spiritual support and counseling, when they are hungry, when they need clothing, they can come here.”
Just two years after its founding, Living Water Fellowship Church, led by Pastors Kim and Steve Outlaw, moved from a converted restaurant on 38th street to a larger location at 2511 E. 46th St. in April.
Later that same month, Fervent Prayer Church, under Pastor James Jackson, broke ground for an expansion of its church on the city’s far Eastside, with the goal of providing more community services and affordable childcare.
In other news
In February, James Jackson, the Fervent Prayer pastor, was sworn in as a member of the influential Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Merit Board, which approves various decisions made by the department.
Thousands arrived in Indianapolis in June as Indianapolis hosted the National Baptist Convention’s Congress of Christian Education. The event, which was held at the Indiana Convention Center, included classes, workshops on addressing community issues, remarks from prominent ministers and special music quests. It was held by the National Baptist Convention, USA, the largest predominantly African-American denomination.
Also in June, members of the Southern Baptist Convention elected Fred Luter Jr., an African-American Louisiana pastor, to its No. 2 position for the first time, signifying an effort to diversify its leadership and flock at a time of declines in overall membership and church attendance.
In August, Indianapolis based company Tyscot Music & Entertainment, formerly known as Tyscot Records, made a groundbreaking accomplishment by becoming what is believed to be the first gospel music label ever to release a full-length film and have it aired on a major cable network.
Tyscot signed a contract allowing the Showtime network to air its first film project, “Blessed & Cursed.” The premium cable network has more than 20 million subscribers nationwide. In addition, BET has requested permission to show the movie as part of its fall and winter holiday lineup.
