Outskirts

Editor’s note: the following article is in response to several emails and letters circulating about churches operating in or on other Del Webb and senior-living communities across the country. The story was researched and written to simply answers the questions of how these churches operate, if there are, in fact, other churches operating in these communities, and the similarities and/or differences between those churches and the topic of the Community Christian Church here in Sun City, Huntley.

The last few weeks in Sun City has seen considerable discussion about how churches have been started and operated at other senior communities in Illinois and around the nation. The Sun Day has done some research and presents the following information intended to add perspective and resident understanding.

In Plainfield, Illinois, the Carillon development is not a Del Webb community, but is operated in much the same way as Sun City is in Huntley. About 10 years ago, a church was formed there in the same way as the Community Christian Church was in Huntley. A pastor moved into a home and asked to use space for a church in a large theater in one of the community’s recreation centers. It was approved by the board of directors and the rental-lease agreement is reviewed periodically by a policy committee of the board, usually when an increase in the rental rate is proposed. The board routinely approves the committee’s recommendations regarding the church’s status. 
Rev. Earl Ferguson, who moved to Carillon seven years ago and became the church’s second pastor, said the church still uses the Theater for Sunday morning services and activities and has about 155 attendees weekly. It was to this church that Rev. Perry Martin, the pastor of the Huntley church, came in 2010. Rev. Ferguson became his mentor and Rev. Martin spent six months there preparing for his ministry in Huntley.  “Rev. Martin wanted to develop a ministry of serving seniors in their own community,” Rev. Ferguson said. “He was serving a church in Kansas City, and he was looking for an orientation and training opportunity for his new ministry.  His son helped put him in touch with our former pastor here and that led him to us in 2010.”

Rev. Ferguson said his church has encountered some minor criticism, but his experience has generally been smooth. “We serve many people who couldn’t attend a church outside the community, who enjoy the convenience of local activities, and who probably would not attend a church if ours wasn’t here,” Rev. Ferguson said.  “It seems to be working well here. I feel a part of the community I serve because I live here.”

Rev. Ferguson added that he has first-hand knowledge of several churches in Florida senior communities that rent space in senior community clubhouses and recreation centers.

In Sun City West, Arizona, one of the largest Del Webb senior communities in the nation, there are several churches both in the senior subdivision and in the town of El Mirage, in which SCW is located. According to an active attendee, of one of these churches, these religious groups either own their own land that was set aside for church development when the homes were built, or rent space in office buildings or similar facilities in SCW itself or in El Mirage.

Regarding the Community Christian Church that meets in Sun City’s Meadow View Lodge, the CAM Board of Directors met this week (Wednesday, June 1) in a closed committee of the whole meeting to discuss the process that will be used to conduct an evaluation of the church’s first 60 days of operation in a Sun City activity space.   After this process has been finalized, residents will be informed about it, according to William Ziletti, board president.

---

---