In 11 years, the church will own the property and can use it for various programs. C.H. Muller, a retired layman, told how the Good Neighbor Center at Chollas View United Methodist Church in San Diego was almost completely gutted by arson four and a half years ago. We rebuilt on what was left and the two-story building now houses the San Diego Metro District, plus a center that distributes food and clothing. Urban ministry worker DiAnn Johnson said the Hamilton Church in Los Angeles held a meeting of homeless people and encouraged everyone to give input on how to make the community more livable. The children get help with homework and enjoy early dinner before parents pick them up at 6 p.m. Each Friday, guests help with arts, crafts and music.
Church members donate supplies and parents pay a weekly fee.
But not all the reports are rosy. The urban missioners agreed that aging congregations present a major problem. Members who have been in control for 40 years are unwilling to relinquish power to the younger generation, they said. Another said that a new generation is ready to move up, but the older generation fears change. They will come to a church to hear a specific speaker, but they are not interested in long-term involvement.