It’s both difficult and sad when a congregation closes its doors, but churches such as Northside Christian Church in northern St. Louis have discovered a resurrection by paving the way for future church leaders.
Congregation leaders took the proceeds from the sale of the church property in 2014 and turned it into a legacy fund at the Christian Church Foundation. Half of the annual income from the fund goes to Higher Education & Leadership Ministries (HELM) to support the Leadership Fellows Program. The other half supports other general ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
“Northside had supported those in higher education in the past,” says Melissa Feldhaus, church treasurer tasked with implementing the fund. “While closing a church is painful, knowing that our resources allow the spirit of the congregation to live into the future is a gift to us.”
The HELM Leadership Fellows Program (LFP) prioritizes undergraduate leadership formation and also provides scholarship support to its students during their four years of collegiate study. The program hosts around forty fellows, all belonging to Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregations. Alongside their cohort and adult mentor, participants engage in book studies, an annual growth & learning retreat, and intentionally delve into the themes of Christian community, societal transformation, global awareness, and leadership engagement to strengthen their overall value as leaders.
One LFP alum is Krista Johnson Weicksel. In 2022, she was named vice president of administration and programs at the Disciples Overseas Ministries/Global Ministries.
“I think what I gained most was confidence,” Krista says. “I don’t remember all the topics we covered in the workshops, but I do remember feeling challenged. I don’t remember all the church leaders we met, but I do remember feeling heard and respected as a young person in the life of the church.”
“Being a part of the Leadership Fellows Program helped me to articulate a call to lay ministry through peacebuilding.”
It was the program’s purpose that helped inspire Northside leaders as they contemplated how they could impact the denomination after closing. Dennis Landon, former HELM president, met with the congregation to share a vision for how the Leadership Fellows Program helps nurture transformative leaders for church, society, and the world, said the Rev. Dr. Judy Ridlen, NCC pastor from 1993 until it closed in 2014.
Northside had a long history of supporting seminary students through scholarships and internships. Dr. Ridlen added that the desire to support students was fueled by a series of “Heritage Trips” in which members visited Disciples seminaries and colleges, and a number of Disciples historical sites.
HELM President, Rev. Dr. Tamara Rodenberg, while saddened that Northside’s on-site ministry has ended, said the congregation’s witness extends forever in the future church and community leaders who will participate in the HELM Leadership Fellows Program. “Graduates of this program have gone on to become tremendous ministers and outstanding lay leaders, working in their congregations and beyond,” she said. “We are grateful for Northside, and encourage other individuals and congregations to invest in future generations of Disciples students as well.”
The fellowship of Northside members continues today as several gather monthly for a meal and a chance to re-connect and remember. They also celebrate in the knowledge that the ministry of Northside Christian Church is living on in the lives of young people being nurtured into leaders of today and tomorrow.
If you or your congregation would like to support the Leadership Fellows Program, or start contributing to a scholarship for undergraduate or graduate students from Disciples congregations, please contact Jim Cullumber at jcullumber@helmdisciples.org or call (317) 713-2660.
