CHURCH CLOSURE

It’s rare that I get involved in the same conversation with two different people on two different days and it has nothing to do with gossip. These people do not even know one another and it has nothing to do with The Home.

Some of you know that I was a denomination leader for thirteen years of my 35 years in church work. As part of that ministry I was involved in many discussions considering the concerns and issues facing very small churches. I never had the final say. But I visited some of these churches to discuss the issue with them. The possibility of closing any church is extremely painful. Most people believe that decision is a coldhearted choice based on shrinking numbers. Admittedly that is part of it, but the issues are greater than simple numbers.

On Thursday a lady asked me what I knew about the process of closing a church. Her home church in the Inland Empire appears to be on its last legs. Then on Friday I got an email from a buddy in the frozen north tundra of Canada where he is a serving a small church in his retirement years. The issue for both churches is similar, but not identical.

Anna’s home church has an attendance of about 20 on a Sunday. The mother denomination has made it clear they will not send them a pastor. No one under age 60 attends any longer and they have not experienced any new life (read growth) in over two years. And in my opinion, they are highly unlikely to attract new people.

While I am part of the “old” crowd there are a few things we need to accept. We are not likely to invited or attract a younger crowd. Churches are like families. They need new life to survive. It is not just the growth issue — it is survival. As we age we run out of energy and finances decline for most. Church buildings continue to need repairs, heat, electricity, lawn care, walks shoveled (in the north) and other essential services that get harder to provide as we age. And if there is still a mortgage, well lets just say they will need a benefactor. My friend’s church has another church sending them money monthly to keep them going. Few can afford to pay a pastor on top of these other expenses.

Sad to say, but its all over but for the sale of the building. In most cases leadership is just waiting for the last person to turn the lights out and lock the building.

My Canadian friend faces a different situation. He is there part time. The congregation is happy and satisfied. Since the entire group is in the same physical boat, they do not see the end coming yet. But the pastor drives a great distance 2-3 times a week to serve them. He is getting tired and will not be able to carry on much longer. They have an internal transfusion of money so can last longer, but has serious effort and much work on the pastors part, attendance remains the same.

These churches still have founding members and people who have invested they life in the success of “their” church. They have good memories and hold on to the dream of “the good old days” returning.

While some churches continue to survive and thrive, others face a family dispersal. They move, they quit, they attend elsewhere for what the new and larger church can provide for their family: programs, strong preaching, great music and a sense of life.

At times the denomination must come and say it is time to close the doors. That feels that same as one senior being told you must move to an assisted living facility. That move signals the end. The only thing left is your end. It is heart breaking.

It may signal nearing the end of your service on this earth, but it never means the end of the church. The church lives in the same flux as communities. They come and go they grow and shrink they flourish and decline. Our days of service come to an end, but God builds His church — just not like we had planned.