WHO ARE WE?

A Church is Formed

At the site of Faith Presbyterian Church in 1960, fields of corn swayed, two lane roads carried much lighter traffic, there was no sign of the impending I-465/69 interchange and not a single major business (hospital, shopping mall, Roche Diagnostics, etc.) had been established within a two-mile radius. In fact, it wasn’t until the late 1960s that zoning for light industry brought the first hint of imminent change to the area. Yet, there were enough families of the Presbyterian denomination living in the Lawrence Township area who desired a place of worship. Those few families put a call out to the residents in the area and began to gather in a renovated barn on East 86^th Street to plan and carry forward the myriad tasks of forming a new church. On July 31, 1960, the Presbyterian congregation, with an official charter membership of ninety, celebrated its first communion in worship space provided by a nearby Episcopal Church.

Soon thereafter, a groundbreaking ceremony took place on seven acres of land located at the southwest corner of 82^nd Street and Hague Road. The doors of Faith Presbyterian Church opened on May 31, 1961. It would not be long before the modest building would need additional space to accommodate a growing Christian Education program. The east and west wing expansion was completed in 1968. For the next twenty years, Faith continued to grow steadily in membership. A long-range planning committee was formed in the late 1980s to assess the needs of the church for growth and expansion over the next ten years. The beginning phase of this plan would result in an expansion of the churches’ east wing.

Today’s Faith

Faith’s vision was then and now is cultivating faithful relationships. The congregation has always sought ways to be actively involved in mission, to create a friendly, inviting “church home” where all would feel welcome to worship and grow spiritually. In addition, members and visitors could further develop their faith with strong adult and youth programs.

In keeping with the original vision, Faith has had the fortunate challenge of expanding building space to accommodate significant increases in membership and, consequently, the programs supporting the growing congregation, especially during the last twenty years. In 1999, committees were formed to lay plans for a new sanctuary. “Building on the Promise” became the motto for the next two years, as the major initiative to build a new sanctuary and adapt old space for new endeavors was begun. In 2001, Faith would feel a sense of accomplishment, excitement and hope as the new sanctuary was opened for worship. With a seating capacity of nearly 400, the new sanctuary was designed for future growth, inspirational and alternative styles of worship. The sanctuary is equipped with the latest media technology and is home to a commanding Zimmer pipe organ (click here for capabilities of the organ).

While the sanctuary was under construction, plans for a full-size commercial kitchen adjacent to the old sanctuary were underway as well. The old sanctuary would be transformed into a fellowship/recreation facility. Every addition or alteration of space was considered and designed with Faith’s mission and outreach in mind. The new recreation facility is a hub for youth activities, fellowship opportunities and new programming – LOGOS, congregational meals and meetings, blood drives, community youth sports and Bible study classes.

The old kitchen and dining /fellowship hall was transformed to better serve the homeless families Faith hosts four times a year through Interfaith Hospitality Network ministry. Families now enjoy the convenience of onsite laundry facilities and more private sleeping and bathing areas.

Members

Few could have envisioned the thriving commercial district the neighboring town of Castleton and north Lawrence Township would become when Faith was established in the early 1960s. As early as 1950, the Castleton area boasted 248 residents. Thirty years later, over 10,000 people resided in this booming north side community, eventually becoming a center for shopping, traveling, and business for north central Indiana residents and southern Hamilton County. As the surrounding community grew, so did Faith Presbyterian Church.

In the early 1970s, members gathered every Sunday for one worship service. By the mid-1990s, Faith held two worship services to accommodate a membership that had grown to 375. Today, the church has a strong physical presence, sited at the major northeast side intersection (82^nd Street and Hague Road) and is blessed with 533 members, with an average worship attendance of 316.

Faith values the many contributions numerous founding members made to the long life of the church and welcomes the ideas and vision of newer members who keep Faith a vital, active congregation. Sixty-three percent of the congregation lives within three miles of the church, but the majority of newer members reside outside this radius in nearby communities such as Fishers, Noblesville, Carmel, McCordsville, and Oaklandon. Additionally, current membership covers a 16-zip code area of central Indiana.

Shortly after the completion of the new sanctuary in 2001, Faith introduced The Dawn, a contemporary worship service offered every Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. Today, attendance at The Dawn slightly outnumbers that of the traditional worship service, indicating a split preference for the two styles of worship.

Leadership

Working as one body in Christ to cultivate faithful relationships requires a talented, gentle, yet persistent leadership at all levels in the church. Faith believes Jesus Christ is the supreme authority in our lives, and He has delegated responsibility to leaders chosen by the church. The governing responsibilities of Faith belong to the Session - the pastors and all elders elected and installed to active service by the congregation. Faith Presbyterian Church currently has sixteen active elders serving as chair or co-chair of eight ministry teams within the church (Business Management, Christian Education, Evangelism and Outreach, Mission Interpretation, Pastoral Care & Fellowship, Personnel, Stewardship and Worship and Spiritual Life).

Another leadership role central to the church rests with the deacons, who are charged with “ministering to those in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress,” as well as support mission activities. Faith currently has eighteen deacons serving three-year terms and one youth deacon. Both elders and deacons make every effort to include founding and newer members in Faith’s organizational structures.

Staff

The staff of Faith Presbyterian Church supports the church body in many ways and is extraordinarily dedicated. Faith is staffed according to the current needs of the church. Some of the positions are presently part-time, but staffing could change as future actions occur. The following staff positions support the leadership and members of the church: Pastor, Director of Education, Director of Music, Assistant Director of Music, Office Administrator, and Youth Advisor.

Discipleship

The resonating core of Faith’s past, present and future lies in missions and outreach. Mission is a passion that drives and unites Faith, leading the congregation to focus outwardly on issues impacting the community, midwest region or foreign lands. Mission ministry has significantly grown and diversified over the last fifteen years as Faith has always sought opportunities to better serve those in need. In fact, actively serving the needs of our neighbors and increasing mission outreach is one of the hopes for the future of Faith repeatedly expressed by the members during a recent Life Together luncheon. All members of Faith are encouraged to discover and exercise their God-given talents and treasures in ministry. And, as members of Faith, there are many opportunities to serve in local, national or global missions.

Local Ministry

Ministering to our own is important to foster spiritual growth and fellowship. Faith has formed fellowship and spiritually-based groups for members (non-members are also welcome) to nurture relationships within the church, hone their skills, seek spiritual guidance or explore and develop their faith. A number of groups meet regularly to socialize, pray together, study the Bible, advance special interests or simply learn more about the community. Local mission outreach finds members serving in one or several of the following programs:

Interfaith Hospitality Network - Until its disestablishment in the local area, Faith served as a host site for homeless families with children for one week each quarter. Congregants provided food, hospitality and recreational activities for the guests.
Westminster Neighborhood Ministries – Faith regularly donates food and supports the mission work of this near downtown east side community that serves local families in need.
Second Helpings - Faith members volunteer at this near east side agency that accepts donations of unused food items from local restaurants to be used in their facility to train the unskilled and/or unemployed in food service positions. The meals prepared during training are then distributed to other Indianapolis agencies serving people in need.

Regional Ministry

Faith responds to fellow Presbyterians in need living in the Midwest region through our regional offices of the Presbyterian Church (USA), Whitewater Valley Presbytery. Recently, efforts were coordinated with eighty-seven Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky Presbyterian churches to aid the flood victims of southern Indiana through the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA).

National Ministry

Faith groups respond to needs outside the state of Indiana when they arise. Several members of Faith, including the youth group, have traveled to areas hardest hit by Katrina to assist displaced residents and help complete the work on various building projects. Each year, the youth group plans a mission trip to an out-of-state location.

International Ministry

Faith works in tandem with Whitewater Valley Presbytery to assist Hispanic Ministries in Mexico. In the past, Faith has organized mission teams to assist with church school, building projects and the local clinic at the Presbyterian border ministry in Reynosa, Mexico. Our congregation also supports the mission of a non-profit Christian organization, Congo Helping Hands, to improve the quality of life in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Members have traveled to the Congo to support and encourage this work.

Stewardship

The members of Faith Presbyterian have always been generous “givers” of their time, talent and treasure. It is not surprising that “active care for those in need” was identified as one of the most predominant attributes of our life together as a congregation. Faith members live “active service” to those in need not only within the walls of the church, but also in their daily lives. Every positive theme identified by the congregation that binds members to Faith Presbyterian church is a result of countless volunteer hours, the wisdom and discernment of our leadership and generous gifting of in-kind donations and financial contributions. When a need arises, Faith heeds the call:

Time – God has blessed Faith Presbyterian Church richly with our greatest resource – its people. Many members give their time to teach, lead, sing, plan, organize, coordinate, serve and pitch in where needed. Whether volunteering to tutor at neighborhood elementary schools, preparing and serving meals to homeless families, facilitating a 30-week Disciple class, coordinating activities to raise awareness for partnering mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or working the “games booth” at the annual Strawberry Festival, Faith is an active, vibrant church body with dedicated, passionate members who strongly believe in service.
Talent – Faith members offer a variety of talents and skills to advance the mission of our church. Our programs and life together are enriched by the many “teachers” willing to educate and support our youth in Sunday School, business professionals who lead a Ministry Team; or chair a committee; and skilled workers who build, repair or improve the facility.
Treasure - Members have always been responsive to the needs of the church, providing financially in several ways.
- Tithing. Every year, Faith holds a stewardship campaign to raise needed funds for the general operating budget, building fund and ministry programs. It has always been reason for celebration. First and foremost, Faith is a PCUSA congregation that gives ten percent of its tithes and offerings to the shared missions’ and ministries that embody our connectedness as Presbyterians. Additionally, Faith directs ten percent of any monies raised during special multi-year capital campaigns to missions. The balance is applied to ministry focus areas such as endorsing sponsorship of community outreach special events.
- Special Offerings. In addition to participation in yearly Presbyterian offerings – One Great Hour of Sharing, Pentecost, Peacemaking Offering and Christmas Joy - Faith also generously contributes to special offerings. For example, aiding victims of natural disasters in foreign countries (Indian Ocean tsunami), nationally (New Orleans hurricane) and locally (southern Indiana flooding), as well as taking up special offerings for church members struggling with financial hardships.
- Designated Giving. Through yearly budgeting, a portion of the congregation’s giving is designated to the missions of Faith Presbyterian Church. Outside of monies allocated to shared missions, the congregation often and generously gives to the ministries supported by the church.

Summary

“I was glad when they said unto me, ‘Let us go into the house of Lord." Psalm 122:1

Since those ninety charter members set out to build a church nearly fifty years ago, Faith’s church home has continued to grow and evolve. Today, Faith is a strong, supportive church “family” of over 500 members. From its modest beginnings, Faith has always sought ways to cultivate faithful relationships with one another, and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to extend that mission out into the community and beyond. As Faith looks to the future, its original mission, cultivating faithful relationships, remains its primary focus, serving in ministry to the community in His name.

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