Closing

The headlines were stunning. Plastered on the front page of the Flint Journal were these words, "Long-Time Parishioners Mourn Closings of Three Flint Churches."

Citing a "steady bleed in attendance and increasing financial woes," the bishop notified the churches that they will close by August 1, 2008.

One member said, "We knew this was coming, but we were told we'd probably have six months to prepare. Instead we have six weeks. I feel like we've been cheated. How do you prepare to close a church in six weeks?"

Times are tough.

Monthly our Leadership Team meets to pray, plan and prepare for the future of the ministry in the church I attend. At the top of the meeting agenda is a short paragraph.

What would our community say if our church closed down?
What would their response be?

Would anybody know and if they knew how long would it be before they

recognized we were closed?
We ask people to do three things a week here.

Come to a worship service to fall more in love with God and His Word.

Go to a small group to love others in community.

Serve in a ministry to impact others.

Simple Church, Rainer & Geiger, p.40-41

Times are tough.

There is a moment in the life of every church when a congregation must decide whether their ministry is going to be about those that populate the pews or about reaching out to others. At the risk of being to simplistic....how we answer that question may determine whether a "closed sign" hangs on the door or whether the doors remain open.

Is your church open?