Today I preached to 4 adults and 1 child. Afterwards, I talked to Joe (it took me a while to find him in the crowd). The congregation (the five there and one more who would meet them later along with the denominational guy in charge) met today to decide the future of the church. After talking to the really old woman for about 10 minutes (conversation consisting of, "You remind me of my grandson. That's why I like you. My daughter wants me to move down south. It's were I belong." Repeat exact conversation 5 times), I got to Joe. With tears in his eyes, he said that there really is not much of a decision to be made. The church can't survive. I am not sure how much longer they are going to hang on, but I will stick with them to the end.
I have always felt that if a church is not moving people into a deeper relationship with Christ and effectively reaching its community then it needs to seriously consider whether or not it should continue. I think alot of pastors do not have a calling on their lives and they are either relieved that they made it through another day or fake it successfully. It would not be a bad think for many churched to close their doors for the last time. However, as I have watched Joe and talked to the other 4-5 people at this little church, I have seen the other side. I still believe that we have to be thoughtful of how we fit into the greater kingdom scope, but people who have served faithfully in a church all their lives have a difficult time letting go. There is so much emotion and hurt in considering closing down a church. Let's be honest, who is going to be there at the bitter end? The ones who have been there for almost as long as they have been alive. This church is closing; there is no way around that. It is a good thing it is closing; it's not right for them to continue this way. What they need is love and compassion. And I am just the guy for the job (to be read with great sarcasm). I am not the most sensitive person when it comes to this. Why God has put me in this position suggests an oversight on His part (ok, maybe he sees more of the picture than me). Honestly, I think he put me there for that very reason - to see the reality of what many churches face and how to go about doing the right thing in a way that is full of grace.
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3 comments:
I am so glad you are sticking with these people. They need to feel valuable. They need hope - maybe not that this church will continue-but that even though the church doors close they are still important to Jesus and he has a plan for them. Help them, Obi Matt Kenobe. You're their only hope! (well, actually Jesus is, but it sounded cool).
matthew, where AAAAARRRREEEE you?
come out come out where ever you are!
Matt---I know you're busy and all, but come on...five minutes is all it takes.
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