“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build.”
(Ecclesiastes 3:1-3, NIV)
Do you know what’s a bad sign? When the pastor preaches a series on tithes, stressing the need for giving, and then announces a sermon based on this passage from Ecclesiastes. You can pretty well bet that there are big changes afoot. Or if he’s not happy for a long time, and then preaches a series from Titus on the qualifications of a pastor. Yep, that’s a bad sign, too.
Pastor opened with the Ecclesiastes passage today, and then dropped the bomb – the church is closing. Next week is the last service. This came as a surprise to everyone except the church board. Maybe it wasn’t such a surprise, because giving has been way down, and he just finished an extended series on the importance of tithes. Apparently that series didn’t have its intended effect.
At a previous church, the pastor seemed to have lost his enthusiasm for preaching, and then preached a several week series from Titus. Uh, oh. Sure enough, he then announced that “God had called him elsewhere in ministry.”
What’s the right way to close a church, or to announce your resignation as a pastor? Is there a right way? In both instances, there were misunderstandings, hurt feelings, anger, and finally for most, acceptance that God is in control, not us. Obviously we haven’t worked through all of that in the present case, but I trust and pray that it will happen.
Oh, I am so sorry! What a terrible thing to have happen. Our church is also way behind budget and we are praying that God will provide. Times are tough all over. Praying that your family will find a new church ‘home’.
Blessings on the journey.
.-= Deb´s last blog ..Our New Addition =-.
That is really awful. I’m so sorry. I’ll be praying for you guys as you look for your next church home.
I am sorry! I am not sure if there is a good way. The pastor at the church that we currently attend gave a 2 year warning to his resignation so as to aid in the transition and not leave the church leaderless for a time. That was about a year ago so we shall see how it turns out.
.-= Beverly Lynn´s last blog ..Laughing out loud. In real life! =-.
I’m a Pastor’s son and a minister.
From experience, there a several large issues at play here. Two simplify it. Pastors and ministers have the difficult task of inspiring people to change for the better. Church boards (in addition to the ‘christian stuff’) have the business of keeping the church running along with keeping church staff (including the Pastor).
If done correctly it’s a graceful dance somewhere perfectly between worldly business wisdom and Godly wisdom. Not to mention that post Jesus Christ, there should be a reduced (but not unnecessary) importance on the role that pastors and church buildings play in the individual lives of those who serve God (when compared to Judaic practices).
Is there a right way? Probably not. At least I haven’t found one in the Bible. I think God’s intent is to always provide what’s necessary to provide for all his children. In both cases, my guess is that those in position were either unwilling or unable to do what was necessary to correct a myriad of problems which finally resulted in the mentioned announcements.
Steve, I will pray for all those effected in both scenarios. However, one good thing about God’s kingdom is that you can’t stop it by closing down a church or removing a pastor. I think this is a time for all those effected to renew their faith in God (as opposed to a specific church or pastor) and begin to look for other ways and places to fellowship, learn, & worship. It sounds like Bible studies in houses, Godly conversations with friend & prior co-congregants, personal study [& blogs
], and not to mention visits to other churches are in order.
Prayerfully, other churches will be willing and able to “pick up” the slack in the area you live and the leadership will have learned how to better handle the problems that led to the current situation before it happens somewhere else.
I’m so sorry to hear that. My 1st Pastor announced he was leaving us by preaching on Moses and how he was not allowed to go to the promised land…then he dropped his bomb. It sucks every time but in the end, God is definitely in control.
It sounds like the congregation was too stingy and therefore got what it deserved.
Drew,
I didn’t see that to be the case, as there were a lot of families struggling financially, but everyone can certainly give something.
.-= Steve´s last blog ..Albion’s Best =-.
Unfortunately money issues aren’t as straight forward as they were in Acts 2:44-45.
The christians then sold then gave ALL so that ALL could have.
Today it seems in many churches only some give tithes, and some of them give appreciable offerings beyond that. And it is not always clear if the church is able to adequately identify, much less, provide for those who are in need.
There a some stories of churches creatively applying the scriptures and seeing abundance during recession (as its should be for Christians)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101947625
There was another story (sorry can’t find it) where the simple of idea of using the honor system (somewhat like in Acts) when passing the offering basket around to allow those in need to ‘help themselves’ amazingly resulted in larger offerings, which led to more church-to-community impact, which led to more church membership. In retrospect it makes sense that individual congregants gave more when they knew they were directly helping their co-congregants and surrounding community
God’s Word works. The question many times is do we collectively have the faith to act on it?