By Ana Good
One church, two campuses. That is the motto two United Methodist Churches in Homewood recently adopted to lead them through an upcoming transitional phase.
This month, Trinity and Oakmont United Methodist churches will begin merging the congregations.
In September, the church councils of both Trinity and Oakmont voted in favor of the merger, one that would leave both the campuses intact under the formal leadership of Trinity.
Oakmont’s campus pastor, the Rev. Jack Hinnen, said the merger will allow the churches to accomplish more in the name of God together than they would have been able to accomplish separately. As churches nationwide see declining memberships, Hinnen said the belief is that joining the two churches will create a stronger tie to the community. Hinnen said the Oakmont campus recently has seen a decline in church memberships, despite the church’s 60-year history in Homewood.
“We hope to be able to grow and serve West Homewood,” said Hinnen. “We want to be a healthier congregation, one that is thriving instead of just trying to survive.”
Trinity’s Rev. Brian Erickson said the merge will be mutually beneficial, representative of the Methodist mentality.
“Methodists are a very connected people,” he said. “We are all in this together. This isn’t just about ‘saving Oakmont.’ The merge will benefit Trinity as well.”
Erickson, who has been at Trinity’s helm since 2014, grew up as a child in the church. Through the years, he said, he also has seen Trinity have its ups and downs.
“With our resources and reach added together, we will work and operate as one church, with two expressions,” Erickson said.
Eventually, Erickson said he’d like to see Oakmont’s traditionally older population mingle with Trinity’s younger congregation.
“We will still continue to provide excellent Sunday school classes, student ministry and, of course, excellent worship services,” he said. “We’d also like to expand service-oriented ministry on both campuses.”
For Hinnen, it’s about continuing to connect with current members and expanding beyond that. Oakmont’s successes, he said, are directly attributable to the “incredible leadership” that has helped the church maintain its presence in Homewood. In the future, he’d like to see that continue.
“We’ve been here for 60 years now,” Hinnen said. “We want to make sure we are here for another 60 years and we believe partnering with Trinity is the way to accomplish that.”
In the coming months, the Oakmont campus will undergo some renovations. Hinnen said that come January, the church will be ready to welcome a new year and a new beginning.
