What to consider before/when thinking about closing your doors?
by Jeff & Dale
I remember when the little congregation up the road from the first place I preached nearly 40 years ago closed their doors. The fact is that every year there are congregations that cease to meet. We want to address that but first, we want to add our weight against those agenda-driven souls who see a church struggle or decline and misuse that crisis to push their agenda. The fact is that the church cannot and will not die, if you believe it will, you don’t believe Jesus (Matthew 16:16-18). I would propose that TJI is in contact with more congregations than most of the voices of woe and we regularly see healthy, growing, vibrant, joy-filled churches.
But every year some congregations will cease to exist or struggle with the decision of if they should. If that is your church, here are 8 suggestions to consider:
Is God done with the people in the community and your ability to connect with them? Get into your community. Give an honest push to connect. The fact is some of those who complain about door-knocking have never tried it or are just too lazy to make the effort. It takes work to find creative ways to reach out to your community.
Where will the people who are left go? Before you lock the door help ensure that there is a viable option where anyone left can worship God. Yes, the megachurch up the road may be sucking in all the new folks in your community but that does not mean they are faithful to God. Size does not equal success in churches, faithfulness is a much better barometer.
What will the remains bless? If you do close your doors, sell the building, and divide the proceeds, be careful who you give those funds too. You have a responsibility. One organization out there is posing as a group who will take that money and plant churches. What they don’t tell you is that the churches they plant are instrumental and egalitarian and the church they plant will not mirror New Testament churches. Don’t just assume an institution that once blessed the church still does. TJI would be happy to help advise you if needed.
Could you give something different an optimistic try? How about hiring a minister who mirrors the demographics of the community you want to reach? How about changing the spirit of your assemblies? How about a prayer campaign for your neighbors or a 12-Questions campaign, or even a big picnic to provide a safe family environment? Reach out again!
Could the facility be used to reach the new community? Give it to them. We were a part of helping a congregation give their facility to the people who lived in a community that had become entirely Latino to a Hispanic church that needed a facility. As that transfer was being made one of the Hispanic leaders said “May this building always be used to the glory of God. I envision the day many years from now when we might transfer this building to a Chinese people or an Indian church.”
Have you asked other leaders for help? You know before you close your doors you might reach out to leaders in churches that are healthy. They might relish the opportunity to help a sister church. Don’t be so stubborn that you let a church die easily.
Have you talked with other church leaders who have made this decision to stem the tide? There are good congregations who once upon a time were where you are now and who with time and effort were able to turn things around. Reach out to them.
Have you discussed it with the congregation thoroughly to see if anyone has any ideas or to make sure they understand the seriousness of the situation? They might be shocked and the shock of it might bring them renewed energies to reach out again.
May God bless you and give you wisdom in your decisions.