Church Buildings: Asset or Albatross
Your building can be an amazing gift to the community, a resource for ministry, and a tool for mission—if it’s the right building, in the right place, and able to be cared for. Without those things, the building can become an albatross, weighing down the ministry and sucking resources away from mission.
Falling into Financial Strength
Just as fall will eventually give way to winter, and winter will give way to spring. Similarly, a congregation’s financial health will change over time. Intentionally focusing on the skills that lead a congregation toward financial strength will help a church navigate every season of its life.
When the People are Strong
“Here is the church, here is the steeple, open the doors, and see all the people!” In all my years of knowing that rhyme, I’ve only ever considered it to mean the numbers inside. However, I think it means something much more important. It’s a reminder that the people are the church. People who are free to serve according to their gifts are people empowered to do the work of ministry, whatever form it takes.
Is your Congregation Spiritually and Emotionally Strong?
Options for the future 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.
Resurrection Hope: Church Closure and a Faithful Future
Pastor Lorrin Radzik preaches resurrection — even after closing two churches. For courageous leaders, death is not the end of our story.
Rebirth through Church Merger
Can struggling churches experience new life? Diane Kenaston remembers her baptism — and a rebirth through church merger.
A Prayer for Remembering Saint Congregations
This All Saints Day prayer from the Good Friday Collaborative recognizes "saint congregations," legacy churches that have closed, merged, or concluded visible ministry.
Remembering Saint Congregations on All Saints Day
As you remember individual saints on All Saints Day, we invite you to join us in remembering saint congregations: Those communities that have made room for you to experience love, to find formation, and to build relationships with those who taught you what it meant to be a person of faith. Even if the church no longer worships together. Perhaps especially, then. Every good work accomplished through those congregations continues to live in you.