Is your Congregation Spiritually and Emotionally Strong?
Depending on the church’s other strengths (in People, Finance, and Building), options may include revitalizing, relocating, redeveloping property, merging, yoking, or faithfully completing. These paths all require robust spirituality and the ability to address conflict, change, and uncertainty. Discerning the future is easier when a faith community has a joyful sense of God at work, healthy approaches to conflict resolution, and a willingness to adapt and experiment.
Pride in Closing: LGBTQ Affirmation and Congregational Closure
How does church closure affect LGBTQ affirming congregations? Is there a Rainbow Glass Cliff for queer clergy? This Pride month Sara and Diane share insights on completing ministry in reconciling and affirming congregations.
The Stained Glass Cliff
Who falls off the “stained-glass cliff” when leading a dying church? When young, new or female clergy take over a struggling congregation, they often face the exhausting task of closing the church.
Rebirth through Church Merger
Can struggling churches experience new life? Diane Kenaston remembers her baptism — and a rebirth through church merger.
Struggling Churches
It’s tricky to talk about struggling churches. We need to both name reality and reflect God’s continued presence. These faith communities are doing their best to follow God into an uncertain future.
We are searching for terms that are both accurate and neutral. So what should we say?
Dying Churches
Is it possible to say “Dying Church” and “Congregational Hospice” without stigma? Unfortunately, those phrases are rarely used that way. Fear transforms “dying” and “hospice” from neutral descriptors to stigmatized terms.
Closing Churches: What (Not) to Say
I wasn't sure what to say and what not to say. All I knew was that I felt punched in the gut when a denominational official told me that my beloved church had “Failed.”
So You Think Your Church Might Close?
Good Friday Collaborative’s Diane Kenaston offers 10 practical actions any leader can take if you think your church might close.
Denominational Resources for Closing and Merging Churches
Denominational resources for church closure and merger include congregationalist and centralized polities. Read more from Baptist, Lutheran, Episcopalian, Methodist, Presbyterian, Unitarian, Reformed, Anglican, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), United Church of Christ, Catholic, Quaker, and uniting churches.
Church Closure & Merger Books
Thinking about church closure or merger? The Good Friday Collaborative has assembled a book list for our newsletter subscribers. Download the annotated resource list as a first step for support in the sacred work of congregational endings.
Meet the Team: Diane Kenaston
You are only failing if the gospel is failing. All you have to do is be faithful.
A Blessing for Good Friday
When congregations close, it can feel like a perpetual Good Friday.
This blessing is for you.
You are not alone.