Many churches die a slow and horrible death.
Many just go until they run out of money, they close the doors, and a ‘for sale’ sign goes up outside.
Not the case with First Baptist Church in Fruitland Park, FL. When they determined that they would have to close their doors, they did what many dying churches would never consider: they gave their church property to another local church that was healthy and growing.
You can read the story here. I like that they actually tried church revitalization at First Baptist; but when it didn’t take hold, they admitted it. (which had to be tough for the young pastor who’s ‘not sure what’s next’).
This might be a controversial thing to say (and I might get myself in a load of trouble)… but what would your town look like if some of the churches that should have closed five years ago, actually did… and provided their (sometimes sizable resources to a local church in town that was healthy and growing?
Would this not be a great thing not only for the church, but for the Kingdom?
I can name a zillion reasons as to why this usually doesn’t happen.
What do YOU think?
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I agree. More churches ought to be doing this. However church buildings are fast becoming the #1 idol of the 21st century and egos are running a close 2nd.
Our church buildings should be something other than museums and pastors should cease being curators.
Good commentary Jim, and I agree. I became Sr. Pastor of a dwindling congregation. We struggled along with keeping the bills paid, and repairs current. However, it eventually became apparent that the “monster’s” hunger (building) was never going to be satisfied. We had a (3) phase plan.
1). Move from the huge sanctuary room into their fellowship hall for regular service.
2). Combine S.S. classes to use few rooms.
3). Join with another congregation and share the pulpit, costs etc.
And eventually the two become one and allowing the stronger or healthier congregation take over.
The first two were done (with great oppostion) and the third never became even close to a reality.
Jim, you mentioned the building becoming an Idol (which I totally) agree with and ego a close 2nd. Both points I agree.
Our facility and location had known of a thriving ministry for almost 100 years, so the building had become an IDOL. And the prospect of having to change and joining or turning over the facility to a healthier ministry just wasn’t even a consideration…hence…ego.
Today? The small congregation is now smaller, and would be better classified as an organized Bible Study.
Oh, and before I came as their Sr. Pastor they spent $17,000 on a paint redo of the outside. Which in one year you couldn’t tell anything was done. On the inside the carpets were out dated, ugly, dangerous. The drapes were rotting off the rods on the windows, and other interior repairs were badly needed. So again, the building became the center piece not the people.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts
James
I definitely agree with your article. I think that’s great what they did and hope to see more of it. I know of another church in Oklahoma that pretty much did the same thing – the new congregation has been in the building for about two months now and it’s going great! The coolest part was that they aren’t even the same denomination which I feel overcomes even more barriers. Stories like this need to be told!
Churches like any other kind of institutional organization, have a normal life cycle of birth to death. In my unprofessional opinion, the best transition for the death phase is to die and give birth to another church. Something in the Bible about how a seed that dies can give birth to another. Much better option here to gift the building to a new church than to sell-out and cash-out for non-church non-Kingdom purposes — I’ve been collecting photos on a pinboard http://pinterest.com/djchuang/ex-church/ with sobering look at old church buildings now used for other things.
The same thing happened in the early 2000′s in Richmond, VA. Weatherford Baptist Church was prominent in South Richmond for well over a century, but found inself with an aging (and dying) congregation and a large prominent inner-city church site. While the building was paid for (worth close to 10 million), the upkeep ws more than their small remnant could handle. The church closed its doors and donated its facilities to another thriving in the city. Their story is told in the book “The Church that Gave Itself Away”
We received a church building from another congregation that was going to close their doors. It became a satellite location for us and has been going well.
Good word, Todd. Fundamental miss every time I’ve seen a church in that position. Thanks for ringing the bell!