Southern California Opens Its Doors to the Future of Churches

Take another look at the sign out front at the mainline church in your neighborhood. The small print might be a tip-off that things inside are changing.

Presbyterians, Methodists, Episcopalians, Lutherans are opening their doors to newly forming congregations, many transplanted here from another country. Four or more different denominations might be worshiping God--their way--under the same once-staid roof.

What was a rarity 20 years ago has become a way of life in Southern California, as American religious traditions go through massive changes.

“It’s like having a border living in your house,” the Rev. Loren Mead says of old-line denominations that now rent out space to other churches. “The landlord retains the right to throw them out.”

Mead, an Episcopal minister based in Washington, D.C., explores the most common models for church sharing today in his book, “Transforming Congregations for the Future” (Alban Institute, 1994).

The “Federal” model comes about when two different Christian denominations agree to form one parish and worship together, such as Shepherd of the Hills Faith Center in Laguna Niguel where United Church of Christ congregation merged with a Disciples of Christ community; they have one pastor.

The “Confederated” model describes Palms Westminster Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles. Four denominations call it home.

“Several churches contract to live together, keep separate worship times and be very clear about their independence from one another,” explains Mead. “I see it happening when an ethnic congregation comes to an older congregation asking to rent space. The elders are delighted for the money.”

As often as not, the renters are “a growing community, while the older church is not,” Mead has observed. At Palms Presbyterian Church, for example, the Ethiopian Christian church includes about 400 members--four times the size of its Presbyterian landlord.

“The relationship is very cordial,” says Habtewold Kassa, chairman of the Ethiopian church’s board of trustees.

“The only limit we have is, we are obliged to leave the premises by 9:30 so the next group can come in. Our culture is very social, we would like to stay longer.”

While he envisions moving to a home of their own one day, finances won’t allow for it soon.

Another option is what Mead calls the “New Community,” whereby several congregations build a center together and share it; this model works best when one board of directors is formed to oversee everything.

“Southern California is a hotbed for the ethnic, Confederated model,” says Mead.

“I don’t find many congregations sharing space who break down the barriers.”