Most of us don’t want to think about the life of a church community coming to an end. We naturally assume that God had begun something rooted in a mission that is still in full force…and has bound lives together in ways which have no end. As a result, if a church were to consider concluding, it often means facing a sense of failure and loss. The result of these feelings is that many churches avoid such a possibility…and then ultimately face a conclusion that lacks the proactive and positive elements that could have been involved.
The truth is that every current church is built upon the legacy of the first churches which were birthed following Christ’s commission and ascension… most of which no longer exist as the local gatherings that they once were. There are several reasons in which a church may come to a concluding season, including changes in demographics, newer gatherings starting, and simply aging out. We need to find freedom to approach the state of any church rather than allowing them to simply fade into quiet sense of loss.
The following is intended to simply offer some help in how to process and prepare for a potential final stage.
1. Begin with an honest ASSESSMENT of the state and stage of the community and leaders.
Some healthy questions to consider:
· What stage of life is the dominant part of the community in?
· Is there a reasonable missional vitality? (Are people inviting new people to the gatherings? Are people as focused on reaching the wider unchurched community as they are in gathering with those they
· Is there a sound basis for financial sustainability? (Is there a pattern of broad financial giving to maintain both staffing and facility needs to fulfill strategic needs to draw unchurched and maintain growth?)
· Is there a group of younger lives and leaders? (It is important to recognize that if a community is not drawing and keeping some younger lives, it is a challenge to expect other younger lives to find a church home there.)
· Is there a plan for change or a generational succession? (If a church finds it is in a declined state and continue to gather honorably in worship….but without a realistic and active plan for change… it is unlikely that a new season of growth will simply arise.)
· How long does the current pastor-leader genuinely and prayerfully believe they can truly lead the community in both care and mission?
Based on such an assessment, discuss and define the potential timing and plan for when it may be fitting to conclude.
2. Embrace a STEWARDSHIP mindset of the resources of the church.
Maintaining a communal life…particularly a missional one… requires resources: visionary leadership, gifted and available volunteers, and money. It is common for churches to see these dwindling and face the sense of failure. But this can be a time of assessing what resources do exist and how to be faithful with them. Leaders should embrace closure as potentially a faithful act of stewardship by responsibly managing legal, financial, and emotional transitions. Rather than always trying to stretch them even further in hopes of change…sometimes a churches legacy is served by reinvesting into the Kingdom of God by merging with an existing community or that of a new one.
If the church has any significant assets…such as a facility…they may serve their legacy best by investing in a “replant.” This refers to investing these resources into a new group who will “replant” them in a new work. Rather than expecting a new leader to simply lead the current condition of the church’s life, a group may understand that their history and assets are best honored by investing in something fresh and free from the past.
In all such matters, it is important to check the church constitution and bylaws to ensure dissolution statements and asset-distribution paths are clear and followed properly. Generally, the closure process will include filing articles of dissolution with the secretary of state and asset and property distribution. (Remaining tax-exempt assets are legally required to be distributed exclusively to other 501(c)(3) charitable or religious organizations (prohibiting payouts to individuals).
3. RE-IMAGINE the true nature of a church’s success.
Jesus focused on bearing fruit that will last...rather than a local church that would last. He never defined a community as remaining together indefinitely…nor did he appear to expect it to. (His own initial group of followers were scattered.) What he calls us to is gathering to embody his life and mission together… from which the fruit which is born will prove lasting. (John 15:16) Begin to see how fruit is that of lives being changed which then impact further lives by way of their influence… as they impact other lives over time and space.
4. REVIEW the fruit that was sown and cultivated through the years.
Take time to recognize how lives came to faith. Recognize how lives grew. Recognize how leaders developed. Recognize how Christ was honored in serving those in need. Recognize how lives loved each other with the unique love of Christ.
5. RESOLVE any needs to provide a healthy and honorable conclusion (i.e. to finish well).
· Are there unresolved conflicts …which could be served by means of reconciliation?
· What are the needs of the pastor or other staff?
· Identify if there is a viable and healthy form of maintaining some relational connection (i.e. a small group that maintains caring relationships in a way which does not presume to be an alternative to local churches…nor operates in competition with them.)
· Identifying one or more church communities that members could transition to.
6. Plan and HOLD a positive concluding event.
· Collect stories and pictures that testify of what God has done through the years.
· Honor those who have served.
· Worship God with a spirit of gratitude.
· Provide clear options for people to remain connected.
· Explain decisions openly and with compassion, allowing members space for grief, questions, and emotional processing.
Some further reading:
Explain decisions openly and with compassion, allowing members space for grief, questions, and emotional processing by April Yamasaki - https://aprilyamasaki.com/reading/when-a-church-closes
The Church Lifecycle: A Comprehensive Guide by Tony Morgan. Discerning how these two elements point to a good time for a positive conclusion.