The Tale of Two Churches
We hear a lot about dying churches, and we bemoan their demise. As we should.
used by permission
However, perhaps we shouldn’t be so hard on all these churches. We’ve long known that most churches have life cycles. Perhaps people moved; perhaps new, more popular churches moved in; perhaps people grew old; and, yes, perhaps some poor decisions were made along the way that could have maintained their vitality.
But just because a church closes the doors doesn’t mean everything was for nothing. Because during the life of that church, the good news was taught, children were raised in the faith, a community was served, and people were baptized, married, and buried. None of that gets discounted just because the church decides it’s time to “land the plane.”
In 1997, the Central Church of Christ in Abilene decided it was time for the remaining members to meld into other congregations and quit meeting as a church.
Was it a failure? Absolutely not! These people prayed about what God might continue to do with their building, asked the Highland Church of Christ if we’d be willing to accept their property as a “gift” and do something good with it. This is now the home of Grace Fellowship. Exciting new things are happening there! The God who worked through the Central Church for many decades is still working in that location thanks to the vision the remaining members had.
In 2004, the Southside Church of Christ, a tiny group with premillennial roots, decided they’d come to the end of their congregational lifespan. They, too, asked the Highland Church to accept their building and do something for that part of Abilene. This is now the home of Freedom Fellowship.
These aren’t failures! Thankfully, devoted Christ-followers realized that it was time to pass their property on to someone else. And what a blessing it has been!
In the next decade or two, there are going to be lots of churches that decide it’s time to “close the doors.” But the doors don’t have to be closed! Perhaps they just need to pass the keys to others.
Find a congregation that has the energy, resources, and vision to do something new there. Or find a way to give the property to a group like Kairos or Mission Alive.
I’m especially thinking of places like the West Coast and the Northeast, where property is so expensive. What an amazing act of faith it would be for these churches that are winding down to prayerfully trust God to do something new through others.
This way, the vision doesn’t end; it just moves into a new world with new vigor. That door you thought you were closing may just be opening to an amazing future.
May God be praised for churches having a vision beyond their own lifespan!
Believers, too.
What an awesome post Mike, In our fellowship, it is estimated that if just 1/10th of the money gained from the sale of our buildings that have decided “to land” was given to church planting organizations/projects, we would have “all” the money necessary to fund our next generation of churches.
Thank you so much for telling these stories. I had the privilege of worshipping with the Southside congregation the week before they met for the last time. During class time, the leaders shared their reasons for giving the building to Highland. It was one of the holiest moments I have experienced in any church. The humility, compassion, and sacrifice they displayed as a church made it known that they did not consider it a failure, but rather a faithful move that had the potential to bring new life and hope to that area. Praise God for the things that are going on there now!
Thanks for this Mike. That’s a great way to reframe the life cycle of a church. One of the things that God has been teaching me lately is my tendency to confuse the group or ministry I’m passionate about/involved with with the Kingdom of God which just keeps pacing along.
And as someone who also gets to see what Freedom and Grace are doing in their neighborhoods, I’m very thankful for these previous churches’ vision outside of themselves.
Loved this blog Mike!
I find my heart beating fast at the moment. It’s easy to live in despair; this suggests that what we thought was the end is, with the Spirit of God, just a new beginning. Ezekiel 37 comes to mind.
Hey – you wrote down my thoughts exactly. How’d you do that?
Thanks for an uplifting post! I was so glad to hear about the Central church in Abilene. I attended there in the 70′s, met my wife there, and even served as their youth minister for a couple of years. Those folks were very dear to my heart. I’m glad that building is still being used to serve in the kingdom.
And the story is even bigger than that! Those members who dispersed from these two buildings are bringing blessings to the places they now call home.
The building that was called Central served as the starting place for a wonderful ministry called FaithWorks, that literally has the potential to change lives, by giving unemployed and underemployed individuals a new start through equipping for employment fitting to their abilities and talents. Over 80% of FaithWorks graduates find work or pursue advanced job training upon completion of the program.
The building that the Southside congregation met in has in the intervening years served people in that neighborhood in many ways, including a VBS, after-school care and tutoring, providing emergency shelter, and many, many meals have been provided for the hungry.
God’s work takes on many facets when we look to see the needs in the lives of His children and seek to find ways to meet those needs. May we have eyes to see and ears to hear.
Jason – I love that insight into the final days of the Southside Church. What a wonderful story! That church did NOT die!
Thanks, Carla (and Jonathan) for affirming the Freedom/Grace stories.
erin – Ez 37, indeed!
John – Good to hear from someone who was working there in the 70′s. Would love for you to be able to peek in on the lively community of faith that’s there.
Wes – Well, I especially think about how relevant this is in your area of the world where real estate is so expensive!
Great post that plants the seed for a new Christian communities. Having spent most of my ministry in the Northeast, I not only know how expensive property is (and that includes rental property too) but I know of a lot of churches that are dying. But some of those churches are unsure of what to do. This gives them a vision. Thanks,
Love this! Thank you! When we let go of the burden of guilt, we open numerous avenues for God to work in amazing ways!
In one of my daily devotionals this morning was the affirmation that God doesn’t give up; Moses, Jonah, Peter, Mary Magdalene were three of the examples given. God doesn’t give up! These two beautiful senior citizen churches that had the vision to pass along their worldly possessions are two God-glorifying testaments that truly, God doesn’t give up. His Kingdom will continue to make itself known “…to all the world.”
Blessings to you, Mike for bringing this gentle reminder that the hearts of His people continue to look forward even when it is retirement day.
No one smiles better for a picture than Tyrone ; )
Thanks so much, Kathy!
And Tammy . . . you’re absolutely right. One of the things about Tyrone that amazing me is that he can work the bus system in Abilene like a professional traveler. He can show up at the most amazing times and places!
God’s plans are so much larger than ours! I loved hearing about these churches that were willing to “let go and let God.” Thanks for a great post.
I have a great story of a Christian Church that had about 12 members in Hot Springs, AR two years ago. After conversations with Phil Claycomb of Nexus Church Planting, the group decided to give their building to chuch planting in AR. A partnership between a couple of groups from the independent Christian Church and a church of Christ led to the rebirth of The Grove Christian Church and in six months the church is now averaging 60 people. We are so thankful for the help of Nexus Church Planting and Golf Course Road Church of Christ for their help in church planting in AR.