Church closings

I recently read a note from a 2004 publication that said that of the approximately 400,000 churches in America it is estimated that around 60,000 will close within the next 10-15 years.  In 10 years that would be 115 churches closing each week.  Although the note I read doesn't say, I would guess that most of those churches will be smaller congregations that finally lost their struggle to survive.  Could your church be included in these numbers?

Like most tragic events, we always think they only happen to the "other guy."  We won't be the one diagnosed with a fatal disease; we won't be the one in a tragic accident; it won't be one of our family members who struggles with addiction.  As ministers and church leaders we don't want to think that it will be our church that will close its doors, but if this article is right 115 churches each week for the next 10 years will be locking its doors for the last time.  If our church has been struggling for some time to stay open there is no reason to believe that it won't be our church included in these numbers.

It is time we have some honest dialogue with our churches.  Unless some of our churches are willing to make significant changes quickly they are going to close their doors.  And, frankly, they probably should.  There has been no real ministry existing in some of these churches for decades.  The most these churches offer is an opportunity for the handful who remain to get together once a week.  This could be done just as well in someone's home which would probably make for a better experience for everyone anyway. 

If a church sees that its days are numbered why not go out in style?  I see some churches who are able to stay open because faithful Christians from the past contributed sufficient funds for the church to have a fairly large savings or endowment.  Until that money is gone the church will remain open.  Is that really good stewardship?  Would it not be better for such a church to decide to close and give its assets to another ministry, its denominational body, or a missionary organization?  At least the money could be used for ministry purposes and not just keeping the lights turned on.

I should hasten to mention that some struggling churches still have time to turn it around if they are willing to ask themselves some hard questions and make some significant changes.  It will mean that the church will have to decide they exist not for themselves but for those who have not yet encountered the living Saviour.  Ministry will have to become more important than history.  It may require the congregation to be willing to say good-by to those who do not want to make the necessary changes in order to reach future generations.  It will likely require much pain as the church transitions from its current situation to one that is healthier, but this pain is the price the church must pay if it wishes to continue to have a ministry in the future.

As I say in my workshops, your church is today what it decided 5 years ago, 10 years ago, and even 20 years ago what it was going to be.  Your church will be 5 years from now, 10 years from now, and 20 years from now what you decide today it will be.  Every church leader should know...you will make that decision.  Deciding not to decide is making the decision, and your church will one day reflect that decision.