Numbers

A few years ago, Rev. Perry Martin made a quiet, careful decision to leave the church he was pastor at for 20 years in Kansas and start a ministry to senior citizens. After some research, he decided the best way to do this would be to start a non-denominational church in a senior community of 55-and-over residents.

He talked to pastors and officials who were leading formation of community Christian churches in Illinois. He came to Carillon Community, a senior development in Plainfield, where he interned for six months, learning the ropes. Along the way, it was decided that he would come to Sun City, Huntley, to begin his first senior pastorate. He also decided that it was important that he identify closely with his parishioners by moving into a Sun City residence, and, if possible, conduct services in one of the community’s activity centers.

In October, 2010, he rented a home in the community. He began meeting with Christian groups in the community and area. He visited the two large recreational lodges in the community, Prairie and Meadow View, noticing that there were some large rooms where he could hold services and perhaps other activities.

He contacted the association staff and filed a request for rental of space in Drendel Hall on Sunday mornings. He was informed that it was not available to meet his needs, but that the Oak/Elm Room in Meadows View Lodge might be available. He requested a long-term arrangement for at least three months.

Because of the long-term nature of the request, it was submitted to the association board of directors for a decision. Martin signed a rental agreement for three months in late winter and began passing the word that the first service of the new Community Christian Church in Sun City would be held on April 10. About 45 persons attended, and on Easter Sunday, April 24, about 55 persons worshiped with him.

“During many years of ministry, I developed a strong heart for this, and I was glad to work out a way to accomplish it,” the soft-spoken, mild-mannered Martin said a few days before the meeting. “People need a place to connect, and that’s why they have come to Sun City. They need to grow in their spiritual life and make new friends. We offer practical teaching relevant to their everyday lives, a blend of traditional and contemporary music, a warm atmosphere, and real people.”

Neither Rev. Martin nor anyone on the board or staff of the association had any idea what a firestorm of controversy would erupt on this topic on April 27.

Most board meetings are quiet events attended by less than 100 residents. Agendas are full of routine matters such as budgets, maintenance issues, charter club regulations and promotions, and oversight of the 100-member staff. But on April 27, nearly 500 persons descended on Drendel Hall, many of them with fire in their eyes and on their lips.

For the first time in its 11-year life, Drendel was transferred from a friendly, exciting, warm entertainment center into an emotionally charged, raucous confrontation between the board and opponents and supporters of the church.

Near the end of the public portion of the meetings, the board always permits residents to ask questions or make comments. This time, more than 25 residents took full advantage of this opportunity.

Most of them said they had no objection to the church itself, but they opposed its use of a Sun City facility. Some said the church is an “outside group” and the contract sets a precedent for all kinds of religious, political, and other groups to hold activities in the community. Others said Rev. Martin isn’t qualified to rent space, because he is a renter of his home, not an owner, and therefore he is not a “member” of Sun City.

Many speakers said they found out about the contract only a few days before the meeting. They sharply criticized the board for not letting residents know about it earlier, and some even said the board should have consulted with residents before they made the decision. Some said the church will eventually want to rent space in the former Pulte sales center now being renovated for activities.

The issue has had a significant impact on the board itself; it has created a vacancy among its members. Jerry Kirschner resigned on April 25 because of the controversy. In a letter to Board Secretary Robert Beaupre, he said, “With the seating of the new board in 2011, I had expectations of better and greater communication between the board members, residents, and improvement with regard to the lack of transparency that prevailed in the past. This has not occurred. Adding to this is the manner in which some members of the board are disregarding the tenor of the community on a very emotional issue. By acting unilaterally, this board has caused a rift within Sun City. The curt “question and answer” response sent to the community has only served to further inflame the situation, as I wrote it would. The intransigent stance that the board has taken has polarized the community against the board. The unyielding attitude that has emerged among some board members has created an environment (in which) I cannot participate.”

A few speakers supported the church, but most opposed it. Several directly demanded that the board reconsider its decision and cancel the contract. Board members, who mostly listened to residents but answered a few questions, insisted they would proceed with the contract and evaluate it after two months. The dialog frequently became unpleasant, with audience members interrupting speakers and residents scolding each other for unruly behavior. Three Huntley policemen, summoned by board member Harry Leopold, who is also a village trustee, came into Drendel when the meeting started, and one stayed the entire time.

Some of the dialog went like this:

“You need to let them (the church) know that this is our property. You have no right to rent to a business organization; we don’t rent the swimming pools or tennis courts to such groups.”

“We all enjoy freedoms, as long as they obey the rules of the association, let them be.”

“The overwhelming majority of the people here are against this; can’t you cancel the contract?”

“If you think we will let you rent space to any church to use space we are paying to renovate, you better think again.”

“Why didn’t you ask residents in a survey about this? There will be parking problems if the church grows.”

“I’m ashamed of you [the board] for betraying us.”

“Six Del Webb communities have churches in their facilities with no problems.”

“Many people support this church. Don’t let people use them as a scapegoat.”

“We have been targeted for church planting. This is all about money.”

“This church should serve Sun City by finding some property nearby and constructing a building.”

Responding to charges of secrecy, board President Bill Ziletti said, “Board members are available to come to community organizations and answer questions about what’s going on. Residents also can attend any of our meetings. Minutes of meetings are posted on the website.”

The wild, dramatic meeting, which started shortly after 1 p.m., ended at 3:23 p.m., when Leopold moved to go to executive session, and the board agreed.

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