Tenth Capital Campaign

Construction Area Ahead

2008-10-01T10:04:00.008-04:00

Since I have a restless baby who doesn't always last in nursery (despite the best efforts of nursery workers!) I often get to spend time in the Catacombs. A recent benefit of that has been a chance to view the rapidly progressing construction. For those of you who don't make it down there, below are some pictures of the restroom construction.

Here are a few pictures I snapped a couple Sundays ago:

And some more recent pictures of the construction that were shared with me:

And, in case you haven't had a chance to make it up to the choir loft, here are some pictures that I took the Sunday after the dedicatory concert:

Reflections on Prayer and the Capital Campaign

2008-09-08T08:59:00.002-04:00

A lot of times the blog contains updates on a project status, but we are fortunate to have a post today that reminds us that the capital campaign is more than a to do list--it is our journey in faith. Reading George McFarland's reflections not only encouraged me in regards to the Capital Campaign, but also gave me an opportunity to reflect on my own prayer life. I hope you are also encouraged and challenged by his reflections!

Over the past seven months the Session has encouraged our congregation to make the Capital Campaign a matter of prayer. The Elders, too, have also prayed for wisdom in the direction Tenth should move. We have seen the blessing of the Lord upon our congregation and thus I would like to reflect upon what I have learned as an elder who was directed by Session to head the Spiritual Formation Committee. Several things come to mind, but I’m sure there are others I am not aware of at this point, and certainly more to come as we will be working through by prayer the implementation of the campaign.

I realized how little I prayed. It wasn’t that I didn’t pray; in fact, I prayed quite regularly and systematically. The focus on the campaign, however, heightened my sense for the urgency of the Lord’s wisdom and provision for the campaign. I’ve found myself in the last seven months praying much more often. For example, I like to pray when I’m walking in the morning. What I came to experience was longer walks because I focused on praying through the items of the campaign and often did not realize how far I had walked. On one occasion I walked for 5 miles praying for aspects of the campaign when normally I walked 3-4 miles. The campaign gave a specific focus to pray and thus it encouraged me to pray “without ceasing.”

I realized how much there was to pray about. The prayer guides were helpful in this area in delineating specific matters to pray about. It wasn’t just a matter of praying for the general topics; though praying for these areas often led me to pray for what seemed to me innumerable aspects. I found that once I started to pray, I moved from one specific to another. This was very exciting because I saw the value of praying for very specific matters: the names of people who were directing the campaign and/or aspects of the each area. I learned in a small way why the Lord wants us to be very specific in our requests: He hears us and is not deaf or blind to those matters which we are bringing to him.

I realized the tremendous blessing of praying together. This came in many different ways that I found very encouraging. The Spiritual Formation Committee, for example, spent more time in prayer at our meetings than discussing business. Some meetings we prayed for close to an hour. My wife and I prayed for two thirty minutes sessions while we were in the car (I drove and, yes, I kept my eyes open). I knew, too, that over 60 people were praying as part of the Band of Gideon. What I realized was that I was not alone in praying, but that in praying with others I was encouraged to share my requests but also in hearing them pray for their requests. They share my petitions and I share theirs. It is often the case that as we pray together will Lord confirms certain matters as we hear others pray. The Lord, too, I believe enlarges our faith as we are surrounded by others praying. The Lord does indeed encamp around those who do trust in him . . . and certainly as we are together.

Like many of you, the past seven months has been a spiritual journey. For me, more specifically, it was a prayer journey. There were times when I didn’t “feel” like praying. At other times, it was a great joy to pray at length for aspects of the campaign. The Lord, I realize, knows our weaknesses and frailties. What I came to experience during the seven months I have enlarged in other praying areas of my life. Some times of prayer are very structured; others are very spontaneous. I know the Lord has a multitude of lessons for me about praying; if they are anything like those lessons of the past I will welcome it. May you, too, be blessed and encouraged in your prayer life.

George K. McFarland

Only A Few More Days

2008-09-07T21:17:00.002-04:00

With the dedicatory concert drawing near, I thought I'd share a press release about Paul Jacobs, the organist who will be performing. Isn't it exciting to look back at where we started and see where God has brought us?

On September 12 Mr. Jacobs will perform in a free concert on Friday, September 12, at 7:30 p.m. at Tenth Presbyterian Church located at 17th and Spruce Streets. The church’s new instrument is a four-manual Walker digital organ, the gift from former U.S. Surgeon-General and former church elder, C. Everett Koop, donated in memory of his wife Betty and their son David. Tenth Church celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2004 with a grand concert free to the public at the Kimmel Center, and it is in the same spirit that the church invites Philadelphia to this event.

Jacobs will reintroduce the Prelude and Fugue in B Minor, an unpublished prelude and fugue for organ by Samuel Barber, which received its only performance in 1928 by organist Carl Weinrich at The Curtis Institute of Music. Music historian Barbara Heyman discovered the Barber work at the Library of Congress in 1984, as part of the research for her award-winning biography-Samuel Barber: The Composer and His Music. Impressed by a recent performance by Mr. Jacobs, Dr. Heyman asked whether he would be interested in performing it. About the prelude and fugue, Mr. Jacobs comments, “Through this richly chromatic work, Barber seems to carry the listener beyond Brahms and Reger, into a new, personal realm of expression.” Both Heyman and Koop plan to be in attendance at the Philadelphia concert.

At 31, Paul Jacobs is widely acknowledged for reinvigorating today's organ scene with a fresh performance style and an "unbridled joy of music-making" in performances throughout America, as well as in Europe, South America, Asia, and Australia. In 2003 he became one of Juilliard's youngest faculty appointments and the following year was named chairman of the Juilliard organ department. Mr. Jacobs studied at The Curtis Institute of Music, where he doubled-majored in organ with John Weaver and harpsichord with Lionel Party, and subsequently at Yale University, where he studied with Thomas Murray.

Friday, September 12, at 7:30 p.m.

Tenth Presbyterian Church, 17th & Spruce Streets
Philadelphia, PA

Paul Jacobs, organ

Prelude and Fugue in B Major, Op. 7 - Marcel Dupré (1886-1971)

Trio Sonata in E Minor, BWV 528 - Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Prelude and Fugue in B Minor (1928) - Samuel Barber (1910-1981)

Pageant - Leo Sowerby (1895-1968)

Fantasia and Fugue on Ad nos, ad salutarem undam- Franz Liszt (1811-1886)

Admission is free. For more information, call 215.735.7688

Please Pardon Our Appearance

2008-08-20T22:19:00.002-04:00

Renovations are underway! This has necessitated a few changes around Tenth. First, the choir loft is not available for seating at any services. Don’t worry, seating abounds in the side balconies and Catacombs if the main floor is full.

Second, due to the Catacomb bathroom renovations those bathrooms are not available. Portable bathrooms will be in the ramp area for men/boys. Both Fellowship Hall bathrooms will be designated for women/girls. The handicap bathroom in Reception Hall is accessible to men and women with physical challenges. And a special note for parents—make sure that your children use restrooms before attending any Catacombs Assembly Hall programs since facilities are no longer easily available.

Goodbye Organ!

2008-08-20T20:48:00.008-04:00

After years of service, Tenth’s organ was disassembled and removed from the choir loft. This means we are one step closer to hearing the new Koop Memorial Organ! Don’t forget that the dedicatory concert is September 12!

Here are some pictures of the old organ prior to being disassembled:

And here are some pictures of it being disassembled:

Picking Up Steam

2008-07-25T21:37:00.000-04:00

Although the blog has been quiet recently, this is in no way indicative of the activity level of the capital campaign projects. In fact, exciting developments are happening this week regarding the Koop Memorial Organ. Construction began on the choir loft and likely the old organ will no longer be there when you arrive for worship this Sunday. And it’s a good thing that all this is happening since Walker, the organ company which is constructing the new organ, has let us know that it is being built right now.

In addition to the developments on the organ project, there are also things happening on the global outreach front. Tenth is sending $26,000 from the Capital Campaign funds received thus far to help fund a new church building for the Los Olivos Community Center, Barranquilla, Colombia.

While these are just tidbits about these projects, in coming weeks you can expect to hear more about the organist who will be playing the dedicatory concert for the Koop Memorial Organ. (Don’t forget to mark you calendars for September 12!) And, we also hope to provide you with a more intimate perspective on the work being done in Colombia. Check back often has the blog is going to pick up steam to match the exciting pace of the capital campaign projects!

Envelopes

2008-07-10T08:25:00.001-04:00

If you made a commitment to the capital campaign, you should receive several campaign giving envelopes with your confirmation letter. If you require more envelopes, these will be stocked in the pew racks, lobbies and the literature display rack in Reception Hall. You can also e-mail Nancy Hala, nhala@tenth.org, to request a supply of envelopes. However, it is not necessary to use these envelopes as you can merely write “capital campaign” on the memo line of your campaign checks and place them in your regular giving envelope.

Just the Beginning...

2008-06-08T13:47:00.003-04:00

Some of you may have wondered if the Capital Campaign blog was defunct now that the public phase of the campaign has concluded. However, after a brief respite, we are up and running again. Although April 20, the official day for commitments, has come and gone, the journey that we embarked on last winter is only just beginning. If the time wasn’t right for you when commitments were originally accepted, but you now would like to make a commitment, it’s never too late! (Forms are available in the Narthex and Delancey Street lobbies and, in fact, commitments have continued rolling in.) And if you are new to the Tenth family and are interested in learning more about the campaign and the projects it is supporting, you might want to look back at previous posts and check the sidebar for links to campaign documents.

Besides the ongoing commitments as a continuing element of the campaign, the projects supported by the campaign funds are going to begin to be implemented in full force. A Capital Campaign Implementation Committee has been formed with Ruling Elder Frank Harder as the chairman. Members include Phil Ryken, Elmer Snethen, Brian Esterly, Clive Stockdale, and Pat Canavan.

So far there have been commitments and gifts totaling $4,063,725 —it will be so exciting to watch how God uses this money for Kingdom. He may not need “our” money to accomplish His purposes, but He graciously allows us to participate in His work by giving back what He has given us. All of which reminds me of the most important role of the blog—to continue highlighting the spiritual journey of Tenth’s members as we continue in the campaign. We’ve seen how many people have been challenged and have grown as they decided what to commit, now we can see how the use of the funds is changing the lives of people in our church and around the world. If you have a story about how God is using the capital campaign in your life, please feel free to email it to me at sarahsmcinnes@gmail.com. I will share it with the committee as an encouragement and may even post some testimonies on the blog (with your permission of course!)

In the weeks and months to come you will see more detailed information about the projects here and in the bulletin, but here are a few details about projects that are already underway.

Organ Project

Design of the new Koop Memorial Organ is complete and the builder (Walker Technical Company) has begun work on the instrument. Tenth member and architect Greg Berzinsky has helped in the design so that the organ will be consistent with our church architecture and furnishings. If all continues as planned, we will be worshipping with the new organ by the first Sunday in September! (A dedicatory concert is scheduled for Friday, September 12.)

Facility Renovation Projects

The Building Committee is currently working on finalizing designs for the Catacombs bathrooms, as well as the Catacombs and Sanctuary floor covering projects. Work on development of the construction specifications for the elevator has recently begun.

Church Planting

The Church Planting Committee has prepared and distributed materials throughout the Philadelphia Presbytery about the Ethnic Church Planting Fund. We are looking for proposals that will make a significant impact on each church plant’s progress. The committee is also preparing materials for the Church Planting Apprenticeship. The apprenticeship involves two or three years of preparation with the intent of Tenth beginning a church plant somewhere in the city by the third year.

Global Outreach

The Global Outreach Commission is planning to prioritize projects where Tenth plays a lead role; this would include the Middle East church and the orphanage in Colombia.

Catacombs Canteen Debut

2008-04-10T16:05:00.009-04:00

Only a couple more weeks until commitment Sunday and the congregation is abuzz! If you haven’t had a chance to check out capital campaign events yet or if you’ve been involved since the beginning, this is a wonderful time to see what this campaign is all about—not just raising money, but coming alongside each other throughout this spiritual journey. A perfect way to do that is to sign up for the prayer-a-thon by picking a slot and committing to pray for the campaign during that time. You can sign-up on Sunday in Reception Hall.

Another way to be involved and support the hard work of Tenth’s children is to check out the Catacombs Canteen. Last Sunday the 1st, 3rd and 5th grade classes manned the tables which were laden with baked goods and craft items. I didn’t make it to the Canteen until after the 11am service and found that the vast majority of the goods had already been purchased—wow! (I did manage to snag a lovely greeting card.) But, I’ll share some excerpts of details with you that I received from an earlier observer (thanks, Dori!) And, I’ll have the opportunity to visit the Canteen again this coming Sunday when the 2nd, 4th and 6th graders will be running it. I hope to see you there (you’ll find me by the sweets)!

As soon as the tables started to fill up there were customers ready to make a purchase. There were people two deep trying to get to the tables. The items for sale were truly amazing...such variety! The fifth grade class took the suggestion of classmate Henry Listenberger's and sold fresh pretzels. A perfect accompaniment was Sarah Cohen’s lemonade. Both the pretzels and lemonade sold out so be sure to get there early next week when both will be sold again

Some other food also available were a granola & candy mix, fudge, cupcakes, chocolate lollipops, quick bread, cookies (many, many varieties!), and chocolate covered pretzels. Dori noted many customers wanted to know "who made" the items they were buying...the actual names
of the children, demonstrating a real interest in the whole stewardship adventure at a personal level and not just in satisfying their hunger!There were also crafts for sale, including greeting cards, ribbon hair bands, gift tags, decorated gift bags, books marks, pot holders and silk corsages. The crafts were beautiful and unique and were flying off the tables.

Next week the 4th and 6th graders will be manning the tables with their goodies. You can look forward to a raffle for special treats, handmade marionettes, and yarn dolls. You will also have the opportunity to purchase the party planning services of some of the 5th and 6th graders who have organized a special birthday party planner package. Clearly the creative juices have been flowing!Dori summed up the project, “So...lots of happy children and satisfied customers. Our children are learning from the Word and experiencing through the seed money stewardship adventure, ...that God CAN and DOES use children in big ways for kingdom work and His glory.”

(For more pictures, visit this slideshow at the Kodak Gallery.)

Harvest Time

2008-04-04T17:46:00.000-04:00

Time is flying! April is here which means that we are in the public phase of the capital campaign. All of the praying, talking, events and information have been leading us to this time where many of us will make our commitments to the capital campaign. As you consider everything you have learned over the past few months, here is an encouraging update from Dori Baggs on one aspect of the campaign. Since the beginning we have heard about the role of children in the campaign and they have continued play an important part in it. (And don’t forget to visit the “Catacombs Canteen” which will run the first two Sunday’s in April during coffee hour and after the 11:00 service. Grades first, third and fifth will participate in the Canteen on Sunday, April 6th. Grades second, fourth and sixth will participate in the Canteen on Sunday, April 13th. You will have the chance to buy baked goods made with the children’s seed money and all proceeds will support the capital campaign.)

You should have been in the catacombs last Sunday. The children were very excited sharing the different projects they were engaged in and how much money they have made for the capital campaign...in one week! These children are excited because they really see and are beginning to understand that God can actually use them to accomplish big things...even though they are young! Just imagine where that type of faith will lead! Each of these children is like a tiny mustard seed...the journey of faith (yes, Elmer, even the children are on one!), they have embarked on will yield a crop!

Moving Up (and Down)

2008-04-01T15:31:00.002-04:00

Another project that the capital campaign will fund is the installation of an elevator. Perhaps you’ve never known the isolating feeling of being unable to access part of the church, but chances are you’ve shared a pew with someone who has. Darv Dombach, a member of Tenth’s building committee, wrote the post below to highlight the many people who will be able to participate more fully in the life of Tenth with the installation of an elevator.

Who is the elevator for?

“When you give a feast, invite the poor, crippled, lame, and blind; and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” (Luke 14:13-14.)

The elevator is about inviting those who have mobility difficulties to feast with us. It might be a physical feast such as a small dinner in Fellowship Hall, or a spiritual feast of God’s Word such as a Bible Study in the Catacombs.

Who are those people?

Maybe you’re like me, and the first people you think of are those who have reached a stage of life when their knees don’t bend as easily as they once did. For them, climbing stairs is laborious or even painful. We have a few in the congregation who already feel this limitation on themselves. Demographically, we expect those numbers to increase as our current middle-aged generation continues to age. Even though I still take stairs two steps at a time and perhaps feel slightly invincible, there are sober people who remind me from time to time that one day, our time will come, and they expect to be one of the beneficiaries.

It is surprising to remember, however, that even young people can have difficulty with stairs. Sometimes it’s the result of a congenital condition or a crippling disease. Dear Nada Ghattas comes to mind as someone who would greatly benefit. Other times, it is a more temporary affliction such as a broken bone sustained in a sports injury. We now have a couple young teenage men in the congregation who are ardent supporters of the elevator because they have had to live on crutches for a period of time.

Whatever the reason someone may “walk” through our doors without actually walking through them in the usually understood way, I am convinced that our elevator will be a means of introducing people to Christ or helping them to grow in their faith. It may be unbelievers who feel welcomed when they see our commitment to their needs, or believers who are refreshed during some opportunity for worship or service that was otherwise not available to them. Though they may not repay us for our act of love, God promises us immediate joy and full restitution at the final resurrection.

An Evening with Dr. Paul Tripp & Dr. Philip Ryken

2008-03-21T11:59:00.004-04:00

You are cordially invited to a dessert reception
on April 6 following the evening worship service at approximately 8:00 pm at a
Center City location in close proximity to Tenth Presbyterian Church.

Drs. Tripp and Ryken are hosting a series of dessert receptions to present their vision for ministry and to visit with people who worship at Tenth, particularly the evening service. There will be an opportunity to discuss Tenth’s current significant spiritual journey as represented by its capital campaign.

Come meet Tenth’s pastors in an intimate setting and hear first-hand about the work God is calling this generation to do in Philadelphia and beyond. RSVPs are necessary as each dessert will have a limited number of guests. Regrettably, due to the limited space children will not be allowed. However, child care will be provided at the church for the March 30 reception. Please call or e-mail Nancy Hala at 215.735.7688 or nhala@tenth.org to reserve a spot.

Stewardship Center

2008-03-18T14:02:00.003-04:00

In an effort to provide the congregation with a better understanding of financial issues and information on ways to give a Stewardship Center has been placed in Reception Hall. This display features brochures and guides that provide a basic understanding of key financial issues.

Provided below are a list of resources:

Brochures:
• Your Guide to Outright Charitable Gifts
• Your Guide to Making a Will
• Your Guide to Gifts of Securities
• Your Guide to Gifts of Real Estate
• Your Guide to Gifts of Life Insurance
• Your Guide to Gifts of Retirement Plan Assets
• Your Guide to Charitable Remainder Trusts
• Your Guide to Charitable Gift Annuities
[Also, Questions & Answers on Gift
Annuities]
• Your Guide to Basic Estate Planning
• Your Guide to Memorials and Endowments
• Your Guide to Effective Bequests

Guide to Important Stewardship Websites
Guide to Stewardship Radio Stations
Guide to Legal Assistance
Guide to Recommended Books from the Library
Guide to Stewardship Audios of John Piper

Campaign Case Statements
Campaign Devotional/Commitment guides
PCA Foundation Brochures

Coming soon:
Ten Ways to Give to Tenth
Answers to Common Excuses for Not Giving
Codicil/Bequest Language

If you require further information, please contact Chairman of the Planned Giving Committee, Bryce Bartruff, at 856.773.4756 (o) or bryce.bartruff@actelion.com

Prayer

2008-03-12T15:06:00.001-04:00

From the Spiritual Formation Committee, here are some suggestions to guide you as a pray for the campaign:

Praise God for:

The congregation's earnest participation in last Sunday's quarterly day of prayer and 2nd round of praying tours.
The continued enthusiastic interest and fundraising efforts of our children in support of the campaign.

Pray for:

Good health and strength for Dr. Ryken during a very busy spring of this year.
Campaign donations to meet--and even exceed--commitments in the promised time frames.

Journey of Faith

2008-03-12T15:02:00.001-04:00

Below is a story shared by Peggy Ann Garver. I had heard that she had a testimony that others might find encouraging as they consider their campaign commitments. When I asked her to share it, she was gracious enough to provide this post. I’m so glad I was encouraged to find out her story, it truly is comforting and inspirational to know that God is working through all details of the campaign and our lives as we consider what our commitment to the campaign will be.

I have a long history at Tenth Church. When I was a little girl, friends of my parents took me to Tenth to hear Dr. Barnhouse. We arrived early and I was delighted and amazed at the building structure. Philadelphia, itself was always a wonderful place to visit. I never dreamed that one day I would be a resident! Years later after our son became a member of Tenth, we visited off and on especially for Christmas Eve services and during our summer vacations. Several years back my husband had the privilege of marrying our son and daughter-in-law in the Tenth sanctuary. We certainly enjoyed the ministry of Dr. Boice and now of Dr. Ryken and the other fine men who are a part of Tenth Church.

Last year we had planned to give to a church my IRA money which was required to be withdrawn. This was not a difficulty for us since we had planned on giving this as a charitable gift since the government at that time allowed for this to be tax-free income! We felt that this was just good stewardship. Many things happened in our lives and we felt drawn to Tenth Church where we found worship in the true sense of the word. After a few months I joined the membership class and last August became a member of Tenth. When it came time to withdraw those IRA monies Tenth was the choice and that was our mutual decision.

My husband and I have been home missionaries for over thirty-eight years and we felt that the gift we were able to give to the Capital Campaign last year was, in fact, not enough. We should do more. We began to pray and so many infinite details came to us that we could hardly believe what was happening. First, we looked at annuities that would benefit us and the church, but after further observation and talking with our financial person, etc. we decided that this would not benefit our church in the way we would want. Two groupings of monies were coming to us in late January and early February. These monies were to be invested in the event we need some day to go to a retirement facility. The financial market was far from good and our financial person gave us the rates he had obtained and both of us had done computer lookups to see the best rates for CD’s in the US. This money was definitely in the CD portion of our finances. The credit union in my hometown was offering the best long-term rate of any place, however, we did not have the money just yet to invest. Time went on and it got near the time I would be having money to invest so I talked with one of the people at the bank. They in turn talked with someone higher up and decided they would hold that rate for us for a time. The first CD matured and was moved to a money market and then electronically to my checking account. It was a day late in arriving and we got a phone message that they could not hold the rate longer since the market was down and to give them a call. This was a Friday but the rates did not change and on Saturday the money was in our account. They seemed to indicate they would hold the rate. The following Monday the bottom dropped out of those CD rates! When we were going to bed my husband said that the Lord would give us the rate he wanted us to have. Even with some money in our account it was not nearly enough to get the rate we had asked for. However, God had a plan – the second CD was coming from a bank in another state and they did not have a system that would wire the money. They did agree to send it FED-X. The money arrived on the very day needed and we drove to the credit union window and deposited our check. The man at the credit union knew that we wanted to give a portion of this money to our church. Later that day both accounts were put into one CD with the best rate in the US. I had never ever heard of a bank holding a rate for a customer for such an extended period of time. Once the monies were reinvested and all the paperwork cleared we wrote a check for the Capital Campaign. That all these rather small pieces came together shows God’s protection and care for us. This very day another bank called and asked what they could do to get our business back and since they called me I did tell them about the providence of our Great God in giving us such a good rate, etc. The woman on the other end agreed they could not match that story.

We not only are blessed in being able to teach in Tenth’s Bible School, but we are truly enjoying the worship of our great God in the fellowship of believers. It is something new and special to me to Enjoy God! I feel certain that there will be many more stories to tell by our brothers and sisters in the Kingdom of God which is exactly what Tenth Church looks like to us. This is our journey of faith.

Bon Appetit!

2008-03-11T13:23:00.001-04:00

On February 24 the first of three luncheons hosted by our senior minister occurred following the 11 am service and approximately 30 people attended. Invitations were sent to members and regular attenders who have not been at Tenth for a long period of time. The focus on this group came about as a result of last year’s spiritual health survey. The results of that survey indicated that those who have been at Tenth the shortest period of time felt least connected to the church body and the pastoral staff. These luncheons are a chance for some of the relative newcomers (like me!) to spend time with Dr. Ryken and some of the elders in a more intimate setting. Dr. Ryken shared about his sense of calling to Tenth and his lifetime ministry commitment to the church, as well as his vision for ministry at Tenth. In addition, there was an opportunity to share about the significant spiritual journey the church is on right now, the capital campaign. The invitation to attend one of the remaining two luncheons on March 16 or March 30 is now open to all, but seating is limited. If you would like to come, RSVP to Diana Frazier (215.237.2619 or dsfrazier@msn.com). The committee also asks for prayer for the upcoming lunches – that they would be well attended and that the attendees would be equally blessed.

To whet your appetite, here’s some feedback from someone who attended the February 24 luncheon:

Many Thanks for the wonderful time of fellowship, great meal, and extra bonus of background information on how the Lord brought the Rykens to minister at Tenth! Of course, it all naturally flowed into a family discussion: How is the Lord calling us to participate? And then more importantly, How are we as a family evaluating each purchase in light of the Capital Campaign?Many thoughts, but most importantly, Thanks!

It's a Small World

2008-03-08T18:33:00.003-05:00

On February 17 we were visited by Professor Frédéric Hammann of the Reformed Seminary in Aix-en-Provence. After hearing a bit about the seminary which I shared in an earlier post, it was great to hear from someone at the seminary. Below I’ve included his remarks from the service.

It is a pleasure and a privilege for me to be here and to share in this worship with you.

I bring with me warm greetings from my colleagues at the Reformed Seminary in Aix-en-Provence and, of course, from my wife and our two little children.

I am very grateful to you for all you have done for our Seminary, and especially for the James Montgomery Boice Chair of Practical Theology, in the past, in the last months and for what you are planning to do this year in the context of your special Campaign.

You know, your support is very important and means a lot for us. It is the first time I come to the US and I am deeply moved with all what I see. I knew that you had interest in our French situation, but now I see how concrete it is, and it’s wonderful to discover the reality of such a fellowship in Christ.

As Reformed Evangelical Christians in France, we are a small minority within a minority! Protestant people, all together, represent about 2% of all the population living in France. And so you can understand how important it is for us to know that we are not alone in the ministry God gave us. Every day is a struggle for us. But we see the faithfulness of God, and the power of His promises as we persevere in our Christian walk.

Our students are a source of great motivation for us. They really want to serve the Lord, they love the Gospel, they love the truth and they want to speak it to the people around them, whomever they may be and wherever it might be. So it is a daily stimulation for us to try to find the proper articulation between theological education and spiritual formation. Both have to be closely linked together.

As the occupant of the James Montgomery Boice chair of practical theology, I am the coordinator of the program for practical theology, though we are several in the department. I personally give, (1) an introductory course to practical theology (where I show the unity and the coherence of all aspects of the life of the Church, of her unique ministry); I also teach (2) homiletics (preaching) and (3) pastoral care (counselling).

I have to recognize that, in this teaching ministry, I use a great deal of material / books which come from here, especially from Westminster Seminary. And I hope and pray that, one day, we’ll have good Reformed books in French too. We have work for the future!

Again, thank you for your invitation, and thank you very much for your support.
May God bless you.

A Few Updates

2008-03-05T09:24:00.003-05:00

First, I would like to explain the dearth of new material on the blog this past week. Last week, my husband and I welcomed our daughter into the world and have been busy learning the ways of parenthood! We’re slowly getting into the swing of things so I wanted to get back to the blog to share some of the news from the past week and also resume sharing some of the amazing stories of the campaign that have been shared with me. Be sure to check back in soon as I plan on posting new material throughout the week.

On February 29, the first campaign e-newsletter was sent out. If you didn’t receive it, check your spam to make sure it didn’t get accidentally filtered. And if it’s not there, please contact Dot Boersma (dboersma@tenth.org) to make sure your email is added to the database.
Last Sunday was the Quarterly Day of Prayer. Brian Esterly had the following to say about the day: "There was a wonderful turnout of over 50 members and we had a rich time of praying for more than 75 minutes for the campaign. The spiritual formation group, led by George McFarland, had an excellent prayer guide that took us through praising God for his faithfulness and each of the six projects. I think everyone came away blessed as we were able to approach God's throne of grace and pray specifically for the spiritual journey God has put us on through this campaign." Let this congregational day of prayer inspire you to continue praying for the campaign! The spiritual formation committee has provided some items to guide you as you pray this week: for strength, energy and perseverance for the extended campaign committee as they are in the midst of a busy time, for the next round of praying tours and that the devotional study guide will be a useful resource for congregational members.
Last week the devotional guide went out. If you didn’t receive one, please pick one up at the church. George McFarland of the spiritual formation committee shared the following post about the guide.

As Tenth Presbyterian Church moves forward with its Capital Campaign, the Spiritual Formation Committee is distributing to the congregation a 30 day devotional guide for their spiritual nourishment and instruction. In keeping with the rich history of biblical teaching and preaching at Tenth, this guide is comprised of various sermons which were preached by Dr. Philip Graham Ryken, Dr. Paul David Tripp, and the late Dr. James Montgomery Boice. All the sermons are expositions of portions of scripture that deal specifically with the idea of stewardship. The majority of sermons are taken out of the Gospel of Luke. The sermons have been divided into daily devotionals that span a total of four weeks. The length of each daily devotional is approximately two pages.

The Pastors and Elders of Tenth Presbyterian Church are encouraging the members of Tenth to read these devotionals privately as individuals, corporately with their families, and together with one another in other places of fellowship throughout the thirty days period of stewardship teaching. While the guide is formatted to be used during the month of March, it can be used during any 30-day period. Our hope is that you will go through the texts, lessons, questions, and prayers in preparation for Sunday, April 20, the day we plan to formally make financial commitments to the capital campaign. Those who read these devotionals should find them to be a rich means of instruction. The aim of the devotionals is to encourage Christian growth, by means of the word of God, in the lives of the people of God. We’re praying that the Lord will greatly use this Devotional Guide in the life of Tenth Church.

Prayer

2008-02-25T18:56:00.002-05:00

From the Spiritual Formation Committee, here are some suggestions to guide you as a pray for the campaign:

Praise God:

for the good turnout (over 100 people) at our first "Praying Tours" last Sunday.

Pray:

for God to use the soon-to-be-mailed 30-day devotional guides in the lives of the congregation to help them make prayerful campaign commitment decisions.
for upcoming events, specifically the quarterly day of prayer and the second of the praying tours, both on March 2.
that the Lord will multiply the efforts and money directed toward church plants, as part of the campaign's city outreach efforts.

We have also had an encouraging update from the Band of Gideons. George McFarland reports that there are now 40 people who have signed up for the Band of Gideons and are praying daily for the Campaign! If you are interested in joining, please send him your name and email address at gmcfarland@dccs.org. You are also encouraged to share any particular blessing from the Campaign. Here are a few encouraging quotes that the Band considered in a recent email update:

"Prayer is the slender nerve that moves the muscle of omnipotence." Charles Spurgeon

"Jesus did not pray about things, he brought things about by prayer." Armin Gesswein

Survivor

2008-02-20T20:19:00.008-05:00

Survivor with new ball

The capital campaign contains designations for global outreach. One of the projects that the funds would support is the continued construction of the Rafiki Village in Monrovia, Liberia for orphans. Ed Bland, a missionary to the Rafiki Village, shared the story below in his February newsletter. It is easy to start to think of some of these projects and fund designations as bullet points in a list, but as the story below demonstrates, this is about supporting real people with real stories. Our contributions and prayers will bring us alongside people like Ed Bland as they participate in and witness the powerful work of God.

"Survivor." No, not a television show. A child. The people caring for this little boy gave him that name when he survived infancy. No one thought he would.

It was in the last years of the long Liberian civil war. Some people fleeing to Monrovia found him in the "bush," tied to his dead mother's back and brought him along. Everyone said he wouldn't survive. He did. Barely.

Several people kept him for a while and, finally, one woman agreed to care for him. She didn't think the baby would make it, but with some emergency feeding at a Red Cross center, "Survivor" continued to live. In fact, he has made it to his fourth "birthday." (No one knows his actual birth date.)

When the Red Cross and the Ministry of Health asked us to consider him for placement with Rafiki, we went to his home to meet him and talk with the family who had cared for him. The house was very humble. Many people resided there. These people had done what they could, but they wanted him to have an opportunity for a better life and for education.

We knew "Survivor" might be close to five years old, so we were surprised at how tiny he is. (He is wearing size 2 clothing.) He sat quietly, his large brown eyes taking in everything. The family assured us that although he wasn't saying anything while we were there, that he would be full of questions after we left. Initial interviews and medical testing were done and, soon, Home Office approval came to accept him.

Last Saturday, we went to bring "Survivor" to his new home at Rafiki Village Liberia. The old grandpa of the family told us that Survivor had been waiting every day for us to come. He said, "Every time Survivor saw a car drive near their home, he would say, 'Those are my people!'" (Yes, we are now definitely "his people"!)

As we were leaving, I asked the grandpa if Survivor had any little favorite toy that we should take. "No, " the grandpa said, "he doesn't have any toys, but I'm sure if someone gave him a toy, he would play with it!"

So Survivor came home to Rafiki Mother Charlesetta's house (Ephesus cottage). New clothes, new toys, medicine for the usual problems (malaria, worms, ringworm, etc.), lots of good food, and lots of love.

God is good. And He is able.

Thank you for standing with us.

Survivor age 4+ with Anna 18 months

Survivor at his old home (Yes, that is a chicken at the lower right!)

A few days later came this update about Survivor from Ed Bland.

Just thought you might enjoy a little more on “Survivor’s” new life at Rafiki. Last Saturday the President of Liberia and her entourage traveled down the road in front of the Rafiki Village to a town nearby. The Rafiki Mothers and the children were in the dining hall, having a snack, and heard the sirens. The mothers took the children outside to wave at the motorcade. Upon seeing the children, the President ordered her driver to stop, got out of her vehicle, and entered the Village to greet the children. So, at the end of his first week in his new home, little “Survivor” (we are calling him Benjamin here and he is pleased with his new name) met the President!

“Who is like the Lord our God? ... He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes…” Psalm 113:4-8

Sneak Preview

2008-02-19T19:24:00.002-05:00

On March 1st you will have the opportunity to attend the Managing Your Money seminar at Tenth. (Contact Nancy Hala at nhala@tenth.org to register.) One of the speakers is Bryce Bartruff. Bryce has attended Tenth since 1980 where he has taught regularly on personal finance and has also served as the treasurer of the diaconate. He recently provided me with some more information, provided below, on the content of the seminar. I also asked him for his thoughts on what the purpose of the seminar is. He shared the following with me:

The idea is to provide Christians of every age and economic level the insights they need so they can be confident they are making wise financial decisions and lifestyle choices. The balance between saving for the future, living a nice lifestyle today and being able to contribute to the church in the way the Lord desires requires insight and wisdom. We will provide appropriate tools to be able to do just that.

Here are some of the talks you can look forward to hearing as Bryce, Dr. Ryken, Gary Morris and others work to equip you to achieve the balance that Bryce mentions:

Understanding God’s Financial Plan for Your Life
Establishing a Foundation for Making Financial Choices (designing a budget)
Simple Steps for Making Wise Lifestyle Choices (building a personalized budget)
The Beauty of Giving
Biblical Principles for Navigating Modern Debt Choices
Transportation
Alternative Ways to Give
Tightwads Guide for Frugal Living
Recovering from Debt Bondage & Living Debt-Free
Fundamentals of Investing for Retirement

Items for Prayer

2008-02-18T18:23:00.001-05:00

From the Spiritual Formation Committee, here are some suggestions to guide you as a pray for the campaign:

Praise God for

a good beginning to the children's program and the enthusiasm it's generating.
the 25+ members who have thus far signed up to be part of the "Band of Gideon" prayer team.

Pray that:

upcoming events--particularly the praying tours on 03/02 and 04/06, and the quarterly "Day of Prayer" on 03/02--will be well-attended.
upcoming communications--especially the devotional guide to be mailed out in late February--will help members determine their level of campaign participation.

FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS--Our Journey in Faith

2008-02-15T20:32:00.004-05:00

Today's post is a piece written by Elmer Snethen, Capital Campaign Chairman. While many of you may have heard him share this before, such as at the January congregational meeting, I encourage you to read it as it serves as a reminder of why this campaign is much more than a fundraiser or list of projects to check off.

“It is January 20, 1852. Dr. Henry Augustus Boardman has invited several gentlemen belonging to Tenth Presbyterian Church to his house to discuss plans for founding a daughter church. They believed the time was right and by June had purchased a lot on 17th and Spruce. Then everything went wrong. They raised only half the money they needed. The help from other churches fell through. And within a year, Dr. Boardman seemed to be heading to Princeton. Then, the country entered a full financial depression that began developing in 1854 and did not let up until 1859. What did the people do? They thought it was the right time to move forward. In 1855, they laid the cornerstone, and in May 1856, the colony of thirty-six people began worship. See the sanctuary they built in 1857. You can’t see the steeple that towered 250 feet as the highest structure in Philadelphia. What vision they had!

Now think about this: their vision was too small! The sanctuary cannot hold half of Tenth’s membership and associates. And the only reason we can crowd the numbers who come for worship and study and fellowship and ministry is that one generation bought the Delancey building. Reception Hall was the office facility. The pastor’s study was up by the choir loft. What would we do without Delancey, which doubles as Sunday school classes? What would be have done if that same generation had not dug out the basement and created the classrooms and worship space of the Catacombs? What would we have done if our own generation had not purchased the 315 Building to fill up with more classes? And we still do not have enough space! Our vision has been too small!”
- Pastor Marion Clark

But let us go back to the end of the first paragraph. What vision they had. Yes, they truly had vision, but what they demonstrated the most and what they brought to 17th and Spruce was their tremendous faith. They were the first generation to fill this incredible place with faith and all the following generations have compounded it. That is what you feel when you come into this building and that is what makes this place so special – their tremendous and uncompromising faith in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You can feel it, can’t you? I know you have either brought people to Tenth and have had them share “There is truly something special here!” It is so so true. You can have a beautiful building, which it is, but it is only a building. But, to have a building filled with faith, that is a treasure given by the hand of God.

To me, this is not a Capital Campaign, but a Journey in Faith. Our session has spent a great deal of time and especially prayer discerning the Lord’s leading in His vision for the next generation. They unanimously believe in the Lord’s calling at this time in our church’s history to move His vision forward. His call, our response. What is Faith? We are clearly told in Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

How do we get faith? Once again, the bible clearly gives the answer in Romans 10. “Faith comes from hearing and hearing from the word of God.”
There is no other place that I know that teaches the word any clearer and more consistently, for almost 179 years, than here at Tenth Presbyterian Church.

Hebrews 11:6 reads, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him…” Oswald Chambers shares, “Yet faith must be tested and tried before it becomes real in your life.” Faith always works in personal ways, because the purpose of God is to see that perfect faith is made real in His children. The life of faith says, “Lord, you have said it, it appears to be irrational, but I’m going to step out boldly, trusting in your word.” “Faith is the entire person in the right relationship with God through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.”

This is His call and His gift to each and every member and regular attendee, as well as the corporate church, to grow in faith. He is offering this amazing gift to all; no one is to be left out. This is our time, our turn. His call, our response to pass on to the next generations our filling of His church with our generation of faith. If we accomplish everything on the Capital Campaign list - renovations, organ, elevator, etc., and as individuals and as a church have not grown in our faith, to me we have truly failed. Through faith all things are possible. Through faith we will accomplish both. But most importantly is to pass on our faith to the next generation. We are here for such a time as this. His call, our response.

This and That

2008-02-14T17:37:00.004-05:00

There is a lot going on so here are a few quick updates to keep you in the loop.

So far, 34 people have signed up for the Band of Gideons! It’s never too late to join, so don’t hesitate to email George McFarland (gmcfarland@dccs.org) in order to sign-up.

In the next few days, you can expect to receive an e-newsletter. Be sure to check it out, especially if you’d like to hear Gresham Smith’s story, pictured above during the first collection of the children’s program.

Don’t forget to sign up for the Managing Your Money Seminar on March 1! Brochures are available at Tenth and you will be able to find more information on the blog soon.

And finally, some food for thought recently shared with me by a member thinking about the campaign: “Keep always before your mind the greatness of your calling, that is to say, these two things: the immensity of the task before you, the infinitude of the resources at your disposal.” Benjamin Warfield, a professor at Princeton Theological Seminary, to his students on October 4, 1911.

Praying Tours

2008-02-13T20:55:00.004-05:00

If you’re like me, by the time the 11am service ends breakfast seems a long time past and after a few quick hellos you’re on your way out. But, this Sunday eat an extra granola bar and think about sticking around for another thirty minutes to participate in one of the praying tours. This is an opportunity to hear more about the campaign projects, participate in some Q & A and pray for the campaign. The tours will start at 12:30 and will last about thirty minutes. Here’s the list, so start thinking about which session you want to attend and some good questions for your host! By the way, if you find it difficult to select just one session, the praying tours will be repeated on March 2 and April 6.

Project, Location and Hosts

Facility Improvements - Catacombs - Ron Ferner and Kim Dengler
Digital Organ - Choir Loft - Dr. Paul Jones
Property Acquisition - 18th St. Amen Pews - Frank Harder
Elevator - Nursery - Rev. Carroll Wynne, Bob Sharrar and Darv Dombach
Global Outreach - 1 West - Dr. Bruce McDowell and Bill Langford
City Outreach-church planting - 2 West - Dr. Phil Ryken and Michael Hatem

Aix Marks the Spot

2008-02-12T17:14:00.000-05:00

Seminary at Aix seminarians

As part of the commitment to global outreach, some of the funds raised during the campaign will be contributed to the endowment for the Dr. James M. Boice Chair of Practical Theology at the Reformed Seminary in Aix-en-Provence. William Edgar, professor of apologetics at the Reformed Seminary in Aix-en-Provence from 1979-1989 and current professor at Westminster Theological Seminary, recently provided me with some history and news from the Seminary at Aix, including the impact it’s having on the spread of the Gospel in France. As I read, I was struck by how the history of Tenth is intertwined with that of the Seminary at Aix. It’s exciting to think how this longstanding relationship will be continued through the campaign. We will have the opportunity to hear more about the Seminary at Aix in the services on February 17 when a guest from the seminary will be visiting us.

St-Quentin is a growing suburb of Paris. Although some inhabitants are commuters, most live and work right there. The town has excellent schools and cultural activities. Twenty years ago a group of dedicated church planters, studied the demographic trends and concluded that the real population growth was in these hamlets, neighboring the large cities. They took note of the Renault car company’s plan to locate their technology center there, alongside many other new French enterprises. Thus, a new church was born. Between January, 1990, the date of their first worship service, and today, there has been significant growth in the town and in the church. Today, they are a thriving community. Their strengths include, preaching, pastoral care, outreach to the surrounding population, foreign missions, and evangelism. Much of the early development in the church can be credited to the work of Gérard Bos, the dynamic pioneer who tirelessly preached the gospel and gathered leaders around him. Where did he train? Aix-en-Provence. As did his successors, Yannick Imbert, an interim, and Marc Toureille, the current pastor.

The Reformed Seminary in Aix-en-Provence was originally founded just before World War Two, with the considerable help of Donald G. Barnhouse of Tenth Presbyterian Church. Dr. Barnhouse preached regularly in France and was able to help purchase the property on which it now stands. In 1974 the Seminary changed its charter and became an independent, confessional institution. The purpose was and is to train gospel ministers, as well as other leaders in Kingdom work. Originally the hope was to revitalize the Reformed Church of France with evangelical leadership. While that still remains a goal, today the Seminary has a broader purpose, namely to train leaders both for church renewal and for church planting. Through the James Montgomery Boice Chair of Practical Theology, an endowed chair whose occupant, Frédéric Hammann is currently visiting the United States, the Seminary is assured of an enduring program not only to train leaders but to reflect on the whole endeavor of starting new churches. Targeting mostly urban areas in France and throughout Europe, the Seminary is aiming for nothing less than a European renaissance.

Though relatively small, with six full time professors and about 100 students, like the children’s story, this is the little Seminary that could! Its brilliant professors speak all over the world. They write books and articles that are unique and strategic. They not only teach but pastor the students through their years at Aix. The student body is French, but also international, with Africans, Spaniards, and even Koreans. When I was there in the 1980s we had a Waldensian student from the remarkable movement begun in the 12th century and eventually led by Peter Waldo. Persecuted, they survived till the 16th century when they embraced the Reformation. There are still numerous Waldensian churches in Southern France and in Italy.

The Seminary at Aix is the only historically orthodox Reformed institution of higher learning in the French-speaking world. It is a great testimony to the God who loves taking small things and using them for great achievements. Whether it be David’s sling shot, the widow’s mite, the ineloquent apostle, the Lord enjoys showing his power through weakness. The Seminary at Aix is fragile but has been a seedbed, producing some of the most important leaders in the church today. It is a privilege to partner with them in their marvelous mission.

Pictured is Nelly Vos, a Tenth Member and supported global partner, who is involved with student recruitment at the Seminary.

Library at Seminary at Aix

Items for Prayer

2008-02-11T10:45:00.000-05:00

From the Spiritual Formation Committee, here are some suggestions to guide you as a pray for the campaign:

Praise God for Dr. Koop and his gift of a digital organ; the spiritual encouragement he and this gift are to the church.

Pray for:

broad participation from the congregation in prayer and in financial giving.
the Lord to provide some large gifts that will help us meet our overall campaign goals.
Tenth's children to grow in faith as they trust God to provide ways for them to contribute to the campaign.

Band of Gideons

2008-02-08T22:33:00.000-05:00

As you may have seen in the bulletin insert on Sunday, the Spiritual Formation Committee is looking for people to join the Band of Gideons to encourage daily prayer for the capital campaign. I had the chance to ask George McFarland about his vision for the group and below is his response. I hope that some of you who read this are motivated to join the group!

My real vision for the Band of Gideon is that we would capture the excitement to "pray without ceasing" for God's good spiritual purposes in our lives during the time of the campaign. I like the idea of intentionally committing ourselves to prayer each day for the needs of the campaign. "The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availith much." Our "fathers" in the faith prayed this way and we should to. I honestly believe that we "have not because we ask not" and what better time in the strategic life of our church than now to make our appeal to our heavenly father to see what he desires for us. The Spiritual Formation Committee has been meeting regularly each Sunday morning JUST TO PRAY. It has been a very rich experience for all of us to "make known our requests" to our Lord. The Lord has given us a sense of unity through prayer, but as well, a confidence that he hears us and is working out good plans for Tenth through the campaign.

The following is the text from Sunday’s bulletin insert. If you are interested in joining the group and did not fill out the form available in the bulletin, you can contact George McFarland at gmcfarland@dccs.org.

When God chose to deliver the Israelites from the hands of the Midianites, he chose to use Gideon and a small band of men (“With the 300 men . . . I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands”—Judges 7:7–8). God could have chosen to supply many men for the work; instead, he chose to use a small number to demonstrate that the real victory comes from him.

Like Israel of old, Tenth is at a critical juncture in its history. When the Session approved the plan for a capital campaign, the elders determined that the campaign would be foremost a time for seeking the Lord’s direction and to grow in faith and obedience. Thus, prayer is the most important activity in which we engage.

The Spiritual Formation Committee of the Capital Campaign would like to invite people of all ages to consider being a part of the “Band of Gideon.” This group will commit to pray daily for the campaign from February 15–April 20. E-mails, along with praise/prayer items listed in the church bulletin, will be available to assist you through this process. If, after carefully considering this commitment before the Lord, you wish to participate, please fill in your name and email address below. Through weekly emails, you will receive updates, matters to pray for and encouragements to pray.

Music to Our Ears

2008-02-06T14:59:00.000-05:00

As you may have heard at Tenth last Sunday, Dr. C. Everett Koop committed to the campaign funds to purchase a new 4-manual, 90-rank equivalent Walker digital organ. In a forthcoming e-newsletter, you will have the opportunity to read more about Dr. Koop and what motivated him to make this commitment to Tenth.

To whet your appetite, below is a picture of an organ similar to the one that will soon be gracing the choir loft. If a picture is worth a thousand words, I think it’s safe to say a song will be worth a million—just wait until we get to hear the new instrument!

Capital Campaign Gets Crafty

2008-02-05T11:12:00.000-05:00

This weekend, a few Tenth girls undertook the creation of a treasure chest to be used in conjunction with the Children’s Capital Campaign Project. They took ownership of the project from start to finish and planned, painted and decorated it. Word has it they used the hot glue gun to its full advantage! This coming Sunday if you venture down to the Catacombs during the 9 a.m. service you can see the chest in person and hear more about how it ties into the program.

Pictured from left to right are Moriah, Priscilla and Mayim

The Children of Tenth

2008-02-01T09:17:00.000-05:00

This Sunday during the 9 am children’s program Dori Baggs will share details of how the children of Tenth can be involved in the capital campaign. As her testimony below demonstrates, Dori has thoughtfully considered why these programs are integral to the campaign. So, before you hear about what is in the works, be sure to read Dori’s piece and consider why it is so important for the children of Tenth to be engaged in the campaign.

As many of you were, I too was motivated by Dr. Cassidy’s sermon during the Global Outreach Conference in November. [To link to the MP3 of this sermon, click here.] The quote he used from Martin Luther… “There are only two days…today and that day…” what a thought! What fresh energy for the task before us. In my own reading in scripture I too have been challenged recently by a passage in Psalms that Dr. Cassidy referred to in his TenthPress article. The article was a charge from Psalm 71 for those of us in the “second half of life.” Verse 17-18 reads, “O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.”

This verse has also given me a deeper desire…by God’s grace I want this to be the verse our children are quoting 30-40 years from now! How does that happen? By being a living word now in front of them…living out the gospel in our families, in our ministries…in our communities. Carefully teaching them from the Word during the few short years they are in our midst before they graduate from high school. Many people discount the impact children can bring to a campaign like this. I’ve been dismayed by comments I’ve heard from people who find the idea of “shaking up little kids for a few pennies” laughable, saying it really won’t do anything! If some adults think this is true, how many children will believe so too?

My goal in this committee is to teach the children from scripture that children are important to God! That God has used children (and continues to do so), to teach important spiritual lessons. God has asked children in the Bible to make sacrifices…not just the adults around them. This is a concept many parents avoid. We may suffer, but we want to insulate our children from it. We all know the very familiar verse in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Teaching our children the spiritual discipline of stewardship and sacrifice is part of that training. How can we expect our children to sacrifice as adults if we’ve shielded them from it all their lives. We need to teach counter-culturally to our children who hear from the world around them, that the very best life is the accumulation of “stuff and things.” We need to teach them from the Word, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Luke 12:34

I look at the biblical example of the child Samuel in 1 Samuel 1. We tend to look at Hannah’s sacrifice, what she gave up…but I want the children to see that Samuel sacrificed too. He sacrificed growing up in his parent’s home in order to serve the Lord. You have to believe, even though its not spelled out in scripture, that Hannah spent those early years with Samuel before he was weaned, telling him over and over again about the goodness of God and the joy of obeying him and serving him. Now…I do a good bit of babysitting and I can tell you that most young children cry when their parents leave…for a few hours! Do you marvel like I do that Samuel did not pitch a fit when his mother left him with Eli? Why not? He knew literally from his mother’s knee, that God was good, that His plan was perfect.

Look also at the biblical example of the boy with five loaves and two fishes in Matthew 14. We look at the miracle of how Jesus multiplied the meager meal into a feast for 5,000, but I want the children to see the sacrifice the little boy made. I mean…here he is…the only one in that vast crowd who thought of packing his lunch! Next thing you know these men, the disciples, are sniffing around for food and find him! Can you imagine how he may have felt initially? “You want my what?!” But, when the disciples told him it was for Jesus the boy willingly gave it to him, not knowing the miracle that was to come. Why did he do that? Do you wonder if he heard his own mother and father talking about Jesus at home…was he learning from them to love him, to trust him…trust him enough to give him his food?

I want to teach the children to give joyfully, as it says in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Contrast this mindset to the fictional character Charles Dickens portrays in “Bleak House” in Mrs. Pardiggle. She showcases her five sons to Esther, proclaiming their overwhelming generosity in giving to the poor and to various charities…however, as she recounts what they have “sacrificed” the boys all make angry, irritated and insolent faces. You can see from their body language that the “sacrifice” was made for them…not by them willingly.

God can use our children to teach us about faith…real faith, believing that he will do that which he has promised. I want to encourage each of you, along with myself, to commit ourselves in spending the “the last half of our life,” as Michael Cassidy puts it, by obeying the directive in Psalm 78:4, “…to teach the next generation the glorious deeds of the Lord and his might, and the wonders that he has done.”

Now What?

2008-01-31T09:02:00.000-05:00

Nancy Siegel, a member of the communications committee for the capital campaign, provides us with a glimpse of what we can expect in the coming months. So, buckle your seatbelts, we’re just getting started on this ride!

Last Sunday, nearly 480 members attending the Congregation meeting gave almost unanimous approval to undertake the $4.4 million Capital Campaign. We praise God for His leading and look forward to continued spiritual growth as we embark on this journey of faith.

April 20, 2007 is Commitment Sunday when we will formally collect the commitments from the Congregation. Leading up to that event, there will be a number of activities that are planned to inform the members and friends of Tenth so that we can prayerfully determine what God would have us pledge toward the Capital Campaign.

We want to provide information in a number of ways. On Tenth’s website, you can find a wealth of Capital Campaign information including copies of the previous bulletin inserts, the strategic planning committee report and a detailed list of the capital campaign projects. We also anticipate a number of luncheons, geared toward newer members, in which Dr. Ryken will share his vision; campaign praying tours; dessert meetings focused around specific campaign projects; and a seminar on planned giving, tentatively scheduled for March 1.

An important goal of this campaign is spiritual growth, both individually and corporately. With that goal in mind, we will be providing a devotional guide which will aid in prayer for God’s guidance as you consider your level of participation.

Our children – Tenth’s next generation of leaders – are also part of the Capital Campaign. During the Bible School hour, the elementary children will learn what Scripture says about children’s contribution to the body of believers. They will be challenged to participate themselves in this important mission of the church.

This is an exciting time in the life of Tenth Church. Join with us in rejoicing in God’s rich blessings and ask that God will increase our faith as we begin this journey together.

Welcome!

2008-01-29T21:39:00.000-05:00

Welcome! Whether you were directed to this blog by someone at Tenth or just happened to stumble across it, I'm glad you found us. I can joyfully report that Tenth's members approved the capital campaign motions at the January 27, 2008 congregational meeting. As Tenth's capital campaign is now officially underway, there will be a lot of information dispersed to the congregation in many different forms. This information is valuable and vital to understanding the purposes of the campaign and to assist you in deciding what your commitment should be. This blog is designed as a supplement to those communications to show some of the ways God has used Tenth Presbyterian Church to work in the lives of its members and others associated with the church. It will also showcase aspects of different projects that the campaign will support. It is our hope that reading these personal testimonies and hearing about the projects in a more informal way will excite and inspire you. Furthermore, hopefully seeing a glimpse into some of the lives of Tenth's members and friends will serve as a catalyst for actually meeting these people and hearing more about their stories.

While we hope to share the stories of many, I will be the primary host of the blog. My name is Sarah McInnes and I am a member of Tenth. My husband and I are former members of Parish 1 and now reside in Parish 6. I will do my best to provide you with regular posts and I hope that you will check in frequently. (You can also receive the posts via email by signing up at the "subscribe via email" link at the right.) As you can see, I have added the bulletin inserts as background, along with some links for more information about the projects we will support.

Please feel free to email me with suggestions or questions at thispeople2008@gmail.com and I will make sure to share your email with someone that can answer your question. Also, as you may have seen in the bulletin you can also contact the following members of the Capital Campaign committee: Marion Clark mclark@tenth.org, Brian Esterly brian.esterly@rcn.com, Philip Ryken pryken@tenth.org, Elmer Snethen esnethen@cantol.com.

We are embarking on an exciting journey together as a congregation and I am honored to be able to assist in highlighting just a few of the ways that God has been working in the lives of His people at Tenth. Be sure to check back soon!

The picture above is of me and my husband Andy. Please introduce yourself to us at Tenth!

Capital Campaign, Part 8

2008-01-13T23:05:00.000-05:00

Key Question: “How can I give?”

To some, $4.4 million may seem an insurmountable goal. Yet we believe this is the capital campaign God has called us to undertake—a prudent investment in kingdom work that by the grace of God is also a reachable goal for Tenth Church. In contemplating your role in the capital campaign, consider the following:

1. Everyone plays a role. It should come as no surprise that the congregation’s tithes to cover our annual expenses are unequally distributed. However, every contribution is necessary for us to fulfill our ministry commitments. The same will be true in this campaign. Everyone’s commitment, regardless of the size, will be necessary for us to meet our goals. A successful campaign does not require equal gifts from all, but it does require equal sacrifice.

2. This is a spiritual journey. The campaign is first and foremost a spiritual process. We know from Scripture that Jesus honors sacrificial and cheerful giving. We believe that giving to this capital campaign will result in spiritual growth and maturity. Investing in the future with our gifts today allows us to seek God’s work in our lives both individually and corporately as a church community.

3. Committing to the capital campaign should not replace our regular offerings. By definition, a capital campaign is a season of extraordinary financial giving in which—in addition to making regular tithes and offerings from their income—the people of God make a corporate, cheerful, and prayerful financial commitment to advance the gospel mission of the church.

There are many ways to give, such as designating Tenth in your will, donating stocks, bonds or mutual funds, or giving through charitable annuities. We will be providing more specific information about noncheckbook giving as the capital campaign approaches. Regardless of how we give, we should remember that everything we possess is the Lord’s and that we are only returning a portion of the resources of which God has made us stewards.

Prayerfully consider ways in which you might make a commitment that includes giving from monies regularly spent on non-necessities. Do you really need the latest electronic gadget? Can you forgo your purchase of the $4.00 gourmet coffee twice a week? How about “bagging” your lunch or cooking a meal rather than ordering take-out? Is there an outing or vacation that your family would be willing to sacrifice? Can you increase your tithe to 10%, 15%, or even 20%? When we honestly examine our spending habits, we can appreciate the wealth of disposable income with which the Lord has blessed us.

Campaign Timeline

January 27, 2008: Congregational Meeting to seek approval for the Capital Campaign (an information packet was mailed to every member this past week and a Congregational Forum will be held on January 20).

Assuming the campaign is approved by the congregation, the following additional activities are planned:

January–March: Provide information through events and communications so that members can learn more about the campaign and prayerfully determine their level of participation.
March 30–April 20: Personal and public preparation for the campaign, including biblical messages and a devotional study guide
April 20: Commitment Sunday—Congregation makes financial commitments to the campaign
May 18: Celebration Sunday—Communicate to the congregation what the Lord has done through his people in enabling us to achieve our God-given mission
May 2008–May 2010: Provide ongoing followup so that members can track their commitments and be informed about status of projects

City Outreach, Part 7

2007-12-30T22:48:00.000-05:00

Key Question: “What else is Tenth Church doing during this time?”

As we contemplate a capital campaign, we are mindful of Tenth’s mission to build a fellowship of kingdom-minded disciples. We are a wonderfully large and diverse community of believers. That blessing presents a dilemma: how can we connect people within the church and make sure their pastoral needs are being met?

Pastor Marion Clark and Elder Steve Carter head the Kingdom Discipleship Commission, which has responsibility for pastoral care, parish effectiveness, and building community. Building on the parish system, the Commission wants to improve communication with the installation of Tenth Community Assistants. These TCA’s will maintain relationships with approximately ten members each so they can facilitate better connection to the church and particularly to their parish elders. About twenty-five are in place now. Other developments are taking place among the elders and diaconate to better equip them and free them up for pastoral care. Please read the Commission’s report which was released in September 2007. Copies are in both church lobbies and can be found on Tenth’s website under Tenth Ministries\Discipleship.

As part of our mission to reach Center City, Tenth has committed to a ministry that brings a vibrant and transforming kingdom presence to our surrounding neighborhoods. One means of achieving this is through the work of Paul Tripp, Minister to Center City. Early in the new year, he will launch a re-designed evening worship service, steeped in the Reformed tradition, that will provide a more participatory worship experience. We want to welcome people to a community of faith that takes worship seriously and communicate the awe of God. We pray that these services will be instruments of Christ’s redemptive work in the life and culture of Center City.

Project of the Week: City Outreach Project │ $350,000
Following the model of the early church in Acts, we are convinced that planting new churches remains the most effective way to evangelize Philadelphia. We are in the midst of a fruitful church planting climate in our region. Within the last decade, the Philadelphia Presbytery has planted ten churches, including three Tenth daughter churches. We want, in partnership with presbytery, to saturate the city with new churches, reaching the lost where they are. Church planting multiplies our original investments. Because they take in new members and develop their own outreach budgets, we multiply the numbers we bring into God’s kingdom both in terms of people and funds. We will approach church planting along two fronts: ethnic urban church plants and Tenth daughter churches.

Ethnic urban church plants typically require an extensive period of outside funding before achieving financial independence. They minister to new believers who otherwise might not have a place to worship and typically draw members with few resources. But they have a transforming effect in their immediate neighborhood because of the close, practical attention they are able to give. By giving an infusion of support, we can give them the needed boost to establish a foothold in their communities.

The funds designated for daughter churches will initially be used to support interns who will serve at Tenth with the intention of planting a daughter church in the near future. Critical factor to the success of a sustainable church plant is the ability of the minister. By providing initial support for his salary and by providing him experience and training in Tenth Church, we are more likely to enable his success.

Whether it is our emphasis on building a fellowship of kingdom minded disciples, ministering in Center City or planting churches to blanket the city, we take seriously the call to be a light in a dark world. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14).

Global Outreach, Part 6

2007-12-23T22:30:00.000-05:00

Key Question: “Why does the capital campaign include designations for City and Global Outreach?”

Many of our local and global partners face challenges difficult for us to imagine. They minister to populations that are often hostile to God’s Word, encourage new believers to worship and fellowship together, and tend to the physical and spiritual needs of their communities. These activities require money, but fledgling city church plants and national ministries are often in communities rooted in poverty. These brothers and sisters need our financial help.

The City and Global Outreach designations represent a “double tithe” of the capital campaign giving. We believe the Lord would have us give out of our abundance to projects outside of Tenth’s direct needs. Our goal is to raise an additional $700,000, or 20% more than our projected capital expenses, as a double tithe—10% to city church plant work and 10% to global outreach projects. The projects selected have the involvement of partners connected with Tenth. While this represents a unique approach to capital campaigns, we believe it is consistent with our church mission of using the abundant resources with which God has blessed us to reach the city and multiply gospel ministry globally.

The strategic investment we make enables our local and global partners to accomplish more than they could through our ordinary offerings or Easter Sacrificial giving. Without this capital giving, it would be difficult for these ministries to otherwise accomplish their goals.

Project of the Week: Global Outreach Projects │ $350,000
God’s call for sacrificial giving should benefit not only us, but others throughout the world with whom we are already laboring. Each of the projects listed below represents the continuation of an existing partnership with Tenth-supported workers and national leaders.

Continue construction of the Rafiki Village in Monrovia, Liberia, for orphans
Continue construction of a church building, school, and children’s center in the Los Olivos community of Barranquilla, Colombia, with Gospel Through Colombia
Contribute to the development of the African Enterprise Study Centre for Urban Mission and Evangelism to train up a new generation of church leaders in Africa
Contribute to the endowment for the Dr. James M. Boice Chair of Practical Theology at the Reformed Seminary in Aix-en-Provence, the only Reformed seminary for the Francophone world
Through a partnership with Miami International Seminary (MINTS), help Mission to the World (MTW) videotape teachers in the United States, translate the teaching, and offer the videos to students, pastors, and church planters throughout the Muslim world
In keeping with our partnership with a major world people group, fund a church building project for a major city in a Muslim country.

Real Estate, Part 5

2007-12-16T22:20:00.001-05:00

Key Question: “How can we consider a Capital Campaign when we are behind in our current giving?”

The gap between actual giving in 2007 and our budgets is an understandable concern as we consider undertaking a capital campaign in 2008. Trustee Clive Stockdale provided a report recently showing encouraging signs that we are in fact “catching up.” (See Tenth Press article from November 25, 2007). Giving in December often exceeds any other month’s so we are prayerfully hopeful that by the end of the year, giving will match expenses.

We have additional reasons to go forward. Next years’ ministry and building budgets will be flat: that is, there will be no overall increases, which should provide some relief. Furthermore, churches undertaking campaigns often experience increased giving to their operating budgets at the same time that money is being raised for capital expenditures.

Most importantly, as Rev. Clark wrote in part 1 of this series, the Capital Campaign will be a faith-stretching experience. In a season of sacrificial giving, God can teach us important lessons such as evaluating our spending priorities and depending on his Providence. Maybe we will experience, as the churches in Macedonia, the “abundance of joy” of those who give despite affliction and extreme poverty (2 Corinthians 8:2–3).

Project of the Week: Property Acquisition Reserve Account ¦ $400,000
Tenth Church presently suffers from a shortage of space in every major category. Nurseries are crowded; over 100 first through sixth graders meet each Sunday in the Catacombs; some adult classes cannot be offered because there is simply no place to meet; our congregational gathering space is essentially limited to the Sanctuary; and there is insufficient office space for existing staff. We already rent space to accommodate our needs and will need to lease additional space in the near future. The lack of facilities constrains our ability to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and serve him effectively. The ultimate goal, therefore, is to acquire nearby property to establish a multipurpose facility for gospel ministry. Our experience in ministry and vision for the future gives us confidence that these new facilities will be well used by both current and future generations. Consider our plight if past generations had lacked the foresight to acquire 1701 Delancey and 315 South 17th Street or excavate and renovate the Catacombs.

The real estate committee has, over recent months, identified and evaluated various properties and facilities that Tenth might purchase or rent to further its ministry agenda. Nearby real estate parcels that serve our needs are both limited and expensive. Nevertheless, there is a strong sense of urgency because undeveloped neighborhood properties are being developed and are not likely to be available again.

The purpose of this campaign project is to create a reserve account to help the Building Committee assess properties as they become available and act quickly when the right property is identified. Funds will be used to pay the initial fees that come with assessing a property’s suitability, including earnest money to take a property off the market while it is being evaluated and reimbursement for legal, architectural, and engineering services rendered as part of the evaluation process. Congregational approval is required prior to the purchase of any new property.

A Real Estate Report has been developed to provide a thorough overview of our property needs, as well as the principles and priorities we will follow in evaluating potential acquisitions. This report is posted on Tenth’s website.

Why an Elevator?, Part 4

2007-12-09T22:08:00.000-05:00

Key Question: “Why do we need an elevator?”

Jesus honored the sometimes creative efforts made by and on behalf of those whose limitations made access to him difficult. Consider the blind beggar who would not be silenced. He strategically placed himself in Jesus’ path, crying “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!” (Luke 18:35–43). There is the woman whose bleeding made her an outcast but nevertheless had the temerity to pick her way through the crowd to be healed by touching the hem of Jesus’ robe (Luke 8:42–48). How about the compassion of Jesus for the invalid who could find no one to help him enter the healing pool? (John 5:1–8). Or the hated, diminutive tax collector who climbed the sycamore tree so he could personally see Jesus? (Luke 19:1–10). And then there is the example of extreme renovations: the resourceful efforts of four men who made it possible for their paralytic friend to be lowered through the roof to Jesus and hear his words, “Take up your bed and walk!” (Mark 2:1–12).

A major portion of the Capital Campaign is earmarked toward fulfilling a commitment that was made more than 10 years ago—to provide elevator access to areas of the facility that are presently inaccessible to those with physical limitations. The elevator will be located on the south wall of Reception/Fellowship Hall between the Middle Building and Delancey Building, thereby improving exterior wheelchair access as well as access to the Catacombs, Sanctuary, Fellowship Hall, Reception Hall, and the first three levels of the Delancey Building. This is an expensive endeavor which will negatively impact space that is already at a premium. Why then are we planning an elevator, and why at that location?

The Session has a long-standing but as yet unrealized commitment to an elevator. The Building Committee conducted an Access Survey in 2006 and found no shortage of members requiring physical assistance. Some members of our congregation can no longer serve the Tenth community simply because stairs bar their way. Statistics tell us that the fastest growing population is in the oldest age bracket. These are certainly compelling reasons. But more importantly, can there be any doubt that Jesus’ compassion and caring extends to all of his people? Shouldn’t we reflect his character by making it possible for those with physical limitations to participate in worship, education, and fellowship, being blessed in turn with their presence?

Before commencing any construction on the elevator, alternative space will be necessary to accommodate the nursery and pre-school children who will be displaced. This will necessitate finding appropriate rental space so that the needs of all of God’s children can best be met. The
goal of improving access for those with the greatest physical needs while minimizing the impact of lost space is certainly challenging. But God’s call for us to be ministers of his compassionate love demands no less.

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:40.

If you would like to see diagrams showing the floors accessed by the elevator, click here.

Digital Organ, Part 3

2007-12-02T18:45:00.000-05:00

Key Question: “What is the capital campaign committee doing now?” Since September’s congregation meeting, the committee has been busy with the following:

Leaders were recruited for each of the main areas of the campaign (check the campaign blog at http://capitalcampaign.blogspot.com for a listing of the committee).
The committee has met to receive instruction and plan their respective parts of the campaign. Provided congregational support is received in early 2008, the campaign will launch shortly thereafter.
Phil Ryken and Elmer Snethen are meeting with members ofSe ssion and lead donor candidates to solicit early commitments. It is important not only for the Session to speak with one voice in support of the campaign, but also to act as one in committing financially to the campaign.

Please keep the proposed campaign before the throne of grace through prayer (John 15:16). We seek the Lord’s leading, wisdom, and guidance. He must equip us to do his work and he must prepare the congregation for their role in the campaign.

We are greatly encouraged by what is already transpiring within the committee. As an example of God’s work, here is a testimony from Dori Baggs, who is leading the children’s part of the campaign:

I was put in a panic when asked to prayerfully consider chairing the Children’s Committee! Me? . . . I don’t have the skills necessary and this is way too big a task for me! I prayed and sought the Lord’s will with fresh diligence. My personal devotions became rich times of fellowship as I sought (am seeking!) the Lord with urgency and prayed for wisdom and direction. I found that through prayer and Bible reading, confidence in my own skills did not increase, but that my faith in God, who helps us in our weakness, was strengthened. One of the stated goals for undertaking a capital campaign is for spiritual growth to occur among the congregation. I bear witness that this is happening personally already. I praise God that
to date the planning has gone well and I look forward to what God will do through his people in 2008.

Project of the Week: Digital Organ $220,000
The current church organ, an Allen analog/digital instrument, was purchased in 1970, has lasted far beyond its life expectancy and, like the sound system, is on “life support.” Using it is the equivalent of working with an old, unstable computer that was last upgraded over twenty years ago (in 1985). At this point the organ is unreliable, with increasingly frequent breakdowns, popping, cracking, and pistons freezing. This project will purchase and install a 90-rank equivalent Walker digital organ. The new instrument will provide an immediate and noticeable improvement in sound, facilitating excellence in worship at an affordable price. The range of color and sounds available to our organists will be vastly improved. Specifically, the organ will enable fulfillment of Tenth’s objective “to worship God in a worthy manner through excellent music” among the other elements of worship.

As Session has discussed both a digital organ and a pipe organ in the past, some may ask, “Why is a digital organ rather than a pipe organ included in the campaign?” The current campaign includes a digital organ because the Capital Campaign Committee and Session concluded that a pipe organ (at a cost of about $2 million) was outside the scope of this campaign. A pipe organ remains a possible goal for a future campaign or may be realized sooner through gifts of potential underwriters. In that event, the digital organ would be sold or gifted to a church plant.

Projects & Costs, Part 2

2007-11-25T18:37:00.000-05:00

The Capital Campaign Committee is preparing a recommendation to be brought to the congregation in early 2008. Continuing from last week, this week we address a frequently asked question as well as introduce one of the capital projects.

Key Question: “What projects support our vision, and what is our investment?” As outlined below, the campaign will include six projects and the total goal is anticipated to be approximately $4.4 million.

Build a Fellowship of Kingdom-Minded Disciples

Preserve and improve our existing facilities ($1,500,000)
Install an elevator ($1,420,000)
Install a state-of-the-art digital organ ($220,000)

Reach Center City and Evangelize Philadelphia

Explore options to expand our ministry outreach by funding a property acquisition reserve account ($400,000)
Establish daughter churches and support presbytery church plants ($350,000*)

Multiply Gospel Ministry to the World

Bring the gospel to people groups in other places around the world ($350,000*)

*This amount represents a tithe of anticipated direct capital project expenses; an additional $130,000 is allocated for campaign expenses such as administration, communication, and consultants.

Project of the Week: Renovate Existing Facilities $1,500,000
Since the first worship service in this building in 1856, God’s people have gathered at this location generation after generation. By God’s providence this building has been preserved so that we are now strategically situated to pursue our mission of reaching Center City and evangelizing Philadelphia.

In recent years we have undertaken stewardship projects—like installing a 100-year roof—to preserve the building given to us by the preceding generation. However, the interior shows increasing wear and tear and our support facilities, like the kitchen, are in desperate need of upgrading.

Now is the time to prepare the building to be handed to the next generation in a condition that will enable the church to continue its work. The goal is not ostentatious opulence, but rather to create an appropriate environment for worship and ministry. We want to facilitate these activities, not distract from them. We undertake this responsibility with the same vision as Tenth’s founders so that another generation does not have to finance work that will soon be more urgent and more costly.

To that end, this project will preserve and improve our existing facilities while maintaining a standard of excellence that is in keeping with our total ministry. Included in this project are the following main improvements: 1) new flooring, sound system, and lighting in the sanctuary, 2) reconfigured choir loft and renovated tower office above the music office, 3) new bathrooms and carpets in the Catacombs, and 4) a new kitchen and sound system for Fellowship Hall.

Why Now? Part 1

2007-11-18T18:24:00.000-05:00

The Capital Campaign Committee is preparing a recommendation to be brought to the congregation in early 2008. In the meantime, this communication marks the beginning of a weekly series of bulletin inserts giving further information on each of the six major campaign
projects and answering questions you may have about the proposed campaign. Written by Rev. Marion Clark, this first piece introduces the campaign by answering the question, “Why now?”

In early 1852, Tenth’s Dr. Henry Augustus Boardman met with several members to discuss founding a daughter church. Believing the time was right, by mid-year they purchased a lot at 17th and Spruce. Then everything went wrong. They raised only half the money they needed. Soon after, the country entered a serious financial depression that lasted 1859, so what did the people do? They moved forward in faith. The cornerstone was laid in 1855, and by May of the following year, the colony of 36 people began worship. The sanctuary they built back then is the one we worship in today. What vision they had!

Yet, think about this: as large as it was, their vision was too small! Today, the sanctuary holds barely half of Tenth’s membership. The only reason we can crowd the numbers who come for worship, study, fellowship, and ministry is that a previous generation bought the Delancey Building and dug out the Catacombs. What would we do if our own generation had not purchased the 315 Building, which is used every Sunday for Christian education, ministry activities, and worship? Yet still we do not have enough space. Our vision, too, needs to grow.

Because of our space constraints, we tell our ministries to hold back precisely at the time Center City is growing rapidly. We watch opportunities to advance the kingdom pass us by when we should be winning our neighbors into our doors. At present we are unable to accommodate all of the adult classes wanting to meet, and the international service is spilling out into the hallways.

At the same time, there are opportunities all around us. The population of Center City continues its strong growth. Every building space possible is being converted to residences; all open space is being taken for the same purpose. Young people and empty nesters are moving in by the thousands. It is now that our Center City community is experiencing a renaissance, and we are in the middle of it. Now is the time to win our new neighbors into our doors.

Still, some may wonder if now is the time to act, since our giving is behind. Yet, where in Scripture did God command his people to wait until they were secure before they acted? This is the God who commanded Gideon to reduce his military to a handful of men before sending them against a mighty army. Now, when we cannot look to our excess to assure us, is when we should step out to commit what we cannot see.

Now is the time we should act on the vision we believe God has given us, not at some unknown future point. Each project of the proposed campaign is needed, and each serves the purpose of
advancing our God-given mission. Are we to be a Gideon who demands greater signs to build confidence? We have planned with care; we have bathed all in prayer; we have surveyed; we have dialogued. Now is the time to commit.

For further perspective on the proposed campaign, watch Marion’s blog at www.marionclark.blogspot.com. If you have questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact any of the following committee members:

Marion Clark mclark@tenth.org 215.735.7688x245
Brian Esterly brian.esterly@rcn.com 215.498.5687
Philip Ryken pryken@tenth.org 215.735.7688x244
Elmer Snethen esnethen@cantol.com 856.722.0630