Shared Ministry - yesterday

 "THE SHARED MINISTRY" STORY

“Sharing the Yoke of Christ"

by Robert Buxton  

Park Street United Methodist Church and         Fourth United Church of Christ always had the friendliest relations. But the oil shortages of the 1970's led them even closer - to cooperative worship services in the winter to conserve fuel. Later, joint summer services were held during the vacation periods of the pastors. The two parishes not only worshiped together, but also engaged in cooperative community mission activities through the "Hill Parish Ministry" with two other neighborhood churches.

Because of this long record of friendly cooperation, it is not surprising that after the illness and eventual retirement of Fourth Church's pastor, the Rev. George C. Bingaman in 1978, a new daring adventure of sharing evolved. By mutual agreement, the Rev. Thomas L. Salsgiver, Park Street's pastor of only a year, also assumed Fourth Church's pastoral duties. Intensive study and discussion immediately began toward the development of an agreement to create a "Shared Ministry" of the two parishes. Overwhelming approval by both congregations was voted on April 1, 1979, and a service of celebration on May 3, 1979 launched the new venture. Under the agreement, the two congregations retained ownership of their respective properties, their denominational affiliations and obligations. However, they jointly share one senior pastor and staff, and through a Shared Ministry Council, plan and execute a unified program of worship, education, and community outreach.

In 1987 the Shared Ministry established the position of Community Worker to oversee its outreach ministry to the parish’s neighborhood. Seven women served in this capacity, with the last being the Rev. Mary Medkeff-Rose until she assumed the position of Senior Pastor. Shared Ministry's current senior pastor is Rev. Mike Beynon. In 1992,  the Rev. Friedrich Demke, from  the  Evangelical Church of the Union in Germany  became the first of a series of Vicars who have served us either as Youth or Associate Pastors.

Pastors of the Shared Ministry besides the Rev. Salsgiver, were the Rev. Terry Leckrone (1984-1991), the Rev. Mary Medkeff-Rose (interim 1991-1992), the Rev. Dr. William H. Rader, (1992-1998), and the Rev. Mary Medkeff-Rose, 1998-2006. Currently, our Pastor is Rev. Mike Beynon. 

For the past twenty-four plus years, this experiment in ecumenical cooperation has served the participating churches admirably. Indeed, the Shared Ministry of Park Street and Fourth churches has become a model in structure and function. Its educational, evangelistic and service programs to the community's needy are known throughout the city and praised by both church and community leaders.