New Questions Bring New Purpose
to Small Member Churches
July 7, 2018
Is There Any Hope?
Imagine being near or over 100 years old. Your mind is still quick. Your soul is lively, longing to still hear and follow God’s call. But your body isn’t nearly as strong as it used to be. You don’t have the energy or physical resources you once had. Your financial resources, while adequate at the moment, have been significantly depleted by home repairs, the hiring of people to help you care for yourself and many good works over the years. As you seek to define your life’s purpose in this new stage, imagine that the primary question your spiritual advisor suggests is “What is God calling you to do in the future?” You don’t know how much time you might have left. You certainly can’t get a new job or start many new projects, can you? Seems like there isn’t much you can do about the state you’re in. What do you still have control over? Your legacy. What do you want to, can you still do or say with your assets of wisdom, energy and money that could live on and even thrive long after your time on earth has ended?
This is exactly the situation in which increasing numbers of small member congregations are finding themselves. We have an aging building. We aren’t bringing in new members to do the things we used to be able to do. Our body isn’t as young as it used to be. Our financial resources are dwindling. And the question that consultants ask us over and over is “What is God calling you to do in the future?” Like an aged saint, you remember that when you were asked this question in your early years as a congregation and for many years after there were many possible worthy paths to pursue. But now at your age and condition? You don’t know how much time you might have left and may even sense that it will not be long. You reach out for advice and are told by denominational executives the process to close your church with the remaining property and financial resources reverting to the denomination. But you’re not dead yet and are sure God must have some purpose for you. The Church Council deliberates. Conversations at coffee hours focusing on the congregation’s future have tones of despair and/or resignation. Your congregation is stuck between a rock and a hard place. You don’t see how you could start something new and lasting – or can you? What do you still have control over? Your legacy. What do you want to, can you still do or say with your assets of wisdom, energy and money that could live on and even thrive long after your time on earth has ended?
It’s Time To Try Something New
One of the congregations I worked with just knew that God had something more for them to be about – despite being down to a dozen active members and a bank account that indicated that even with only part time pastoral leadership their years of financial solvency numbered many fewer than ten. They were currently without a pastor and how to proceed with a pastor search was another significant issue. They had heard a colleague and I speak at a denominational gathering about how coaching is different from consulting and, by asking new questions, could help congregations and their leaders get unstuck. Their Church Council decided to take the risk of covenanting with me to see if a coach approach could lead them to understand God’s purpose for them at a time when they couldn’t see a future that would mirror their strong and active past. When I met with the church council we devised a process that would involve every active member in remembering their strengths and ministries of the past, identifying their current assets, exploring the changing nature of their community and its needs and then fearlessly facing questions about their future.
All twelve of their members attended and participated actively in our Congregational Gatherings. They had had a strong and important history in their community. Currently, in addition to worship they provided two ministries desperately needed in their community. But the future looked bleak. They concluded that they clearly had only two options: (1) call a full time pastor for three years or so who might be able to recreate the growth and vibrancy of the past and replenish members and their bank account (despite the fact that recent pastors not been successful in this endeavor) or (2) continue for another six or seven years with part time paid leadership until too many members died to keep the doors open on Sunday morning and their money ran out. This was my opportunity as a coach to ask them some new questions designed to expand their thinking.
A New Question Sparks a New Sense of Purpose
It only took one powerful question to change this congregation’s trajectory from resignation to hope and purpose. “What would you like your legacy to be?” I asked. It had apparently never occurred to the congregation or to the regional denominational representatives that there could be an enduring legacy that could encompass not only money but also ongoing vibrant ministry/ministries. The energy level in the room rose dramatically. The members’ eager engagement in answering this question was immediate. We have one ministry that must continue – we don’t know what the community would do without it since no one else is doing anything like it. And another that makes a real difference to another segment of our community. This congregation suddenly had a new purpose and focus. They didn’t need a crystal ball or wise prophet to tell them what God needed them to do – they already knew. What they hadn’t realized were the opportunities to set up coalitions and structures now that would ensure that these ministries would thrive into the future if and when the time came that they no longer could provide all of the needed time, talent and treasure.
What would you like your legacy to be? As with most powerful coaching questions, the answer will differ from congregation to congregation. A congregation which used to be known for its large and impactful Vacation Bible Schools might decide to endow a scholarship for children in the community to attend summer church camp. A church that provides community meals for folks who are food insecure might band with one or more other churches to work together now and transition toward a time when a different church would be the recognized host. A church that has provided exceptional pastoral care for the elderly might work with a not-for-profit ministry to ensure the work is carried on. A church whose building has been opened to community groups might find a new purpose for it as a community center when no longer used for weekly worship by this congregation. What is most worth leaving behind differs from congregation to congregation. There may have been some congregations that closed without much community notice, but most closing congregations leave a hole of some size and shape that never gets adequately filled. New questions allow churches to think of ways to be good stewards of their particular potential hole and provide for its filling beyond their own existence while also adding vibrancy and purpose to their congregation’s life and ministry today.
Some New Questions for Struggling Small Member Churches
to Small Member Churches
July 7, 2018
Is There Any Hope?
Imagine being near or over 100 years old. Your mind is still quick. Your soul is lively, longing to still hear and follow God’s call. But your body isn’t nearly as strong as it used to be. You don’t have the energy or physical resources you once had. Your financial resources, while adequate at the moment, have been significantly depleted by home repairs, the hiring of people to help you care for yourself and many good works over the years. As you seek to define your life’s purpose in this new stage, imagine that the primary question your spiritual advisor suggests is “What is God calling you to do in the future?” You don’t know how much time you might have left. You certainly can’t get a new job or start many new projects, can you? Seems like there isn’t much you can do about the state you’re in. What do you still have control over? Your legacy. What do you want to, can you still do or say with your assets of wisdom, energy and money that could live on and even thrive long after your time on earth has ended?
This is exactly the situation in which increasing numbers of small member congregations are finding themselves. We have an aging building. We aren’t bringing in new members to do the things we used to be able to do. Our body isn’t as young as it used to be. Our financial resources are dwindling. And the question that consultants ask us over and over is “What is God calling you to do in the future?” Like an aged saint, you remember that when you were asked this question in your early years as a congregation and for many years after there were many possible worthy paths to pursue. But now at your age and condition? You don’t know how much time you might have left and may even sense that it will not be long. You reach out for advice and are told by denominational executives the process to close your church with the remaining property and financial resources reverting to the denomination. But you’re not dead yet and are sure God must have some purpose for you. The Church Council deliberates. Conversations at coffee hours focusing on the congregation’s future have tones of despair and/or resignation. Your congregation is stuck between a rock and a hard place. You don’t see how you could start something new and lasting – or can you? What do you still have control over? Your legacy. What do you want to, can you still do or say with your assets of wisdom, energy and money that could live on and even thrive long after your time on earth has ended?
It’s Time To Try Something New
One of the congregations I worked with just knew that God had something more for them to be about – despite being down to a dozen active members and a bank account that indicated that even with only part time pastoral leadership their years of financial solvency numbered many fewer than ten. They were currently without a pastor and how to proceed with a pastor search was another significant issue. They had heard a colleague and I speak at a denominational gathering about how coaching is different from consulting and, by asking new questions, could help congregations and their leaders get unstuck. Their Church Council decided to take the risk of covenanting with me to see if a coach approach could lead them to understand God’s purpose for them at a time when they couldn’t see a future that would mirror their strong and active past. When I met with the church council we devised a process that would involve every active member in remembering their strengths and ministries of the past, identifying their current assets, exploring the changing nature of their community and its needs and then fearlessly facing questions about their future.
All twelve of their members attended and participated actively in our Congregational Gatherings. They had had a strong and important history in their community. Currently, in addition to worship they provided two ministries desperately needed in their community. But the future looked bleak. They concluded that they clearly had only two options: (1) call a full time pastor for three years or so who might be able to recreate the growth and vibrancy of the past and replenish members and their bank account (despite the fact that recent pastors not been successful in this endeavor) or (2) continue for another six or seven years with part time paid leadership until too many members died to keep the doors open on Sunday morning and their money ran out. This was my opportunity as a coach to ask them some new questions designed to expand their thinking.
A New Question Sparks a New Sense of Purpose
It only took one powerful question to change this congregation’s trajectory from resignation to hope and purpose. “What would you like your legacy to be?” I asked. It had apparently never occurred to the congregation or to the regional denominational representatives that there could be an enduring legacy that could encompass not only money but also ongoing vibrant ministry/ministries. The energy level in the room rose dramatically. The members’ eager engagement in answering this question was immediate. We have one ministry that must continue – we don’t know what the community would do without it since no one else is doing anything like it. And another that makes a real difference to another segment of our community. This congregation suddenly had a new purpose and focus. They didn’t need a crystal ball or wise prophet to tell them what God needed them to do – they already knew. What they hadn’t realized were the opportunities to set up coalitions and structures now that would ensure that these ministries would thrive into the future if and when the time came that they no longer could provide all of the needed time, talent and treasure.
What would you like your legacy to be? As with most powerful coaching questions, the answer will differ from congregation to congregation. A congregation which used to be known for its large and impactful Vacation Bible Schools might decide to endow a scholarship for children in the community to attend summer church camp. A church that provides community meals for folks who are food insecure might band with one or more other churches to work together now and transition toward a time when a different church would be the recognized host. A church that has provided exceptional pastoral care for the elderly might work with a not-for-profit ministry to ensure the work is carried on. A church whose building has been opened to community groups might find a new purpose for it as a community center when no longer used for weekly worship by this congregation. What is most worth leaving behind differs from congregation to congregation. There may have been some congregations that closed without much community notice, but most closing congregations leave a hole of some size and shape that never gets adequately filled. New questions allow churches to think of ways to be good stewards of their particular potential hole and provide for its filling beyond their own existence while also adding vibrancy and purpose to their congregation’s life and ministry today.
Some New Questions for Struggling Small Member Churches
- If this church was no longer here, what hole would exist in this community?
- If this congregation was a 100 year old person with a legacy to leave, what would it be?
- If the congregation was writing a will, what is most important to leave behind – and who would you leave it to?
- What ministry or ministries most need to live on after your death?
- Who might have the commitment and capacity to carry these ministries on if and when you couldn’t?
- What possibilities might exist to keep these ministries running with your leadership now while starting to involve those who would carry on when you no longer could?
- What measures will let you know that your legacy is as secure as you can make it?
- Who will assess progress?
- When and how will you take measurements?
- Whether a legacy-focused congregation is seeking a new pastoral leader or the present pastoral leader is considering how he/she might need to function in this new chapter of the congregation’s life, it is important to ask:
- What type of pastoral leader do you desire to lead worship and provide pastoral care? AND what type of leader do you need to help you provide your legacy?
- What skills will your leader need to help you further contemplate and shape your legacy?
- What types of new congregational and community outreach and communication might be required of your new leader to help you solidify your legacy?
- When deciding on a final candidate to present to the congregation in a pastor search, what weight should you give to worship/pastoral care skills and passion vs. legacy-building skills and passion?
- In addition to one new leader having all of these skills, what other options might exist to secure effective leadership to continue as you have been for the next few years while building a strong and lasting legacy?
The Rev. Dr. Janice Lee Fitzgerald, ACC is a Leadership and Ministry Coach based in Rochester, NY. She also enjoys being a Transitional Ministry Specialist who has served churches in transition in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the United Church of Christ and the Reformed Church in America. You can contact her at www.janiceleefitzgeraldcoaching.com
