They expected grief. What they experienced was gratitude, peace, and a sense of completion.
Emotions were running high at Newton First Church. There were many tears, but also smiles and laughter. It was the largest service the church had seen in decades. Interim Pastor Mike Collins and his wife, Cindy, were as emotional as many in the congregation, even though their tenure at the church had been only nine months. This was the final service for Newton First Church.
Newton First Church was closing after 73 years of ministry in the community. While not a large church, in its heyday, 40 years ago, the sanctuary was often full for Sunday morning services. There was also an active Sunday School program, youth ministry, and mid-week services every Wednesday night, which drew roughly 60% of the Sunday morning attendance. Women’s ministry, men’s ministry, Vacation Bible School, and other programs took place throughout the year. But that was 40 years ago. Today is a different story.
The church dwindled to around 20 regular attendees, most of whom were over the age of 60, although there were a few families that occasionally attended. When new families entered the doors, there was a glimmer of hope that the traditional congregation might once again attract younger families. Most young families spoke of how nice everyone was but didn’t return.
Over the past ten years, Newton First has been led by a series of younger pastors. It was hoped that a young pastor with a family would attract young families. That hope did not play out, and each of these pastors remained for less than eighteen months. Each one had a vision for renewal and revitalization, but none seemed able to deliver on their vision. There was much speculation among the congregation about the reason why. Some said the problem was with the board; others placed the blame solely on the pastors. Still, others felt that the pastors didn’t stay long enough, they were too inexperienced, or they wanted to change too much too fast.
It was never on the radar to close Newton First, although it was acknowledged that this might need to happen in the future, when they could no longer pay their bills. But the building was debt-free and in good repair, and several families gave generously to keep the church afloat. The congregation prayed for revival, and they spoke about revitalization.
When denominational officials visited, typically during pastoral transitions, conversations took place about what it would take to revitalize Newton First Church. Many stories were shared of one church or another that had declined but was now in the process of revitalization. One church across the state had turned around. It was down to a dozen people and was now running over 70 in attendance on Sunday. The new pastor was on fire, and the church had caught the vision. The denominational officials were confident that something similar could happen at Newton First.
But with each pastoral transition, nothing seemed to change. Nine months ago, Dr. Jerry LaSalle, the regional superintendent, contacted the board chair and requested a meeting with the board. Newton First had been without a pastor for three months. Perhaps he wanted to discuss another candidate with them. Dr. LaSalle did have someone in mind for Newton First, but it was not what the board expected.
Dr. LaSalle’s visit was scheduled for the following week. After some small talk over dessert, he proposed that instead of sending another pastor to Newton First immediately, he would like the church to consider an interim pastor. Dr. LaSalle had someone in mind. He was a retired minister, and his wife, the Reverend Mike and Cindy Collins. Rev. Collins has begun working part-time for the denomination with the specialized ministry of small, declining churches. His role as an interim pastor would be to provide spiritual guidance, conduct an assessment of the church’s health, and work with the congregation to identify areas for potential growth. He would be there on weekends, from Saturday morning until Monday afternoon. He would conduct Sunday services, perform visitation as needed, participate in leadership meetings, and be available to perform any funerals that may arise during his tenure. The church would need to arrange for housing and meals for two nights each week, reimburse mileage, and pay a small salary.
The board, deeply committed to the church’s future, had numerous questions about the arrangement, as they had never had an interim pastor before. It was a lively discussion. Certainly, financially, the church was able to meet these arrangements. It was less than they had been paying to have a full-time pastor. The critical question was, why this arrangement instead of another full-time pastor? The superintendent stated that over the past ten years, Newton First has been unable to gain momentum with any of the previous pastoral families. Rev. Collins was coming not only to minister to the congregation but also to assess the health of Newton First. He hoped to identify the factors that have hindered revitalization over the past decade. Rev. Collins will also examine the history of Newton First, including its high and low points, and spend time with the congregation and local leadership to gain insight into the church’s strengths and areas for growth.
One board member, displaying courage and honesty, timidly spoke up and asked Dr. LaSalle, “Is Rev. Collins coming here to see if you guys need to close us down?” Dr. LaSalle replied honestly, “Frank, that may be an option the denomination considers. Rev. Collins is coming to assist this congregation and its leadership in assessing Newton First’s health and where it is in its organizational lifecycle. He is not here to make decisions regarding your future. However, during his time with you, we hope that you will gain some understanding of what is needed to turn Newton First around, or if that is even possible.”
More discussion occurred, and the board voted to invite Rev. Collins as their interim pastor. While this was not the first time someone had mentioned the possible closure of Newton First, it was the first serious discussion about this option. Previously, closure was often spoken of as a last resort, and even in those discussions, it was frequently mentioned in jest.
Nine months later, watching the free flow of emotion during the final Sunday worship service at Newton First Church, no one at the church would have predicted this outcome when they met with Dr. LaSalle less than a year ago. It was a difficult service, filled with tears. However, the spirit of the day was one of celebration. Newton First had finished their race, and they had kept the faith. It was similar in feeling to the funeral of an elderly saint whom everyone hated to lose. Still, everyone also celebrated their life and the service that this beloved man or woman of God had provided.
The congregation and the leadership had not expected to feel what they felt during their final service together. They felt like they had accomplished their mission. It was a mission they inherited from those who founded the church decades ago, but over the past nine months, it became apparent that the end was nearing. With the help of Rev. and Mrs. Collins, the congregation of Newton First was able to bid farewell to the church they loved, mourn its loss, and celebrate the life the congregation had lived for the past 70 years.
The story of Newton First Church is not typical. There are myriad stories and anecdotes of churches that do not close well. They go out kicking and screaming, or they go out with a whimper, and no one seems to notice. The keys were turned in the lock for the last time, and the remaining trustees wondered if anything that had taken place over the decades mattered. The story of Newton First Church is also that, a story. It is a parable of what could be and what should be the future for each struggling and declining church.
Why do so many churches linger for years, even decades, and close unnoticed and uncelebrated in the end? Why do many churches work hard in attempts to revitalize and fail repeatedly, yet they are encouraged to try one more time? It is suggested that maybe they need to pray more, work harder, find better leaders, paint the exterior, offer a coffee bar, and consider numerous other ideas to reverse their downward spiral. And these things continue to work in various churches. Why haven’t they worked here? Will they even work here?
The reality is that revitalization attempts often fail in most struggling and declining churches. Let’s admit this truth and address the need for chronically struggling churches to be intentionally and compassionately closed under the wise leadership of men and women who will offer hospice-type care to churches that have finished their race.
If this parable brings up thoughts or questions, we would love to talk with you about where your church is at and what kind of future you may be envisioning. Please email us with your questions or schedule a complimentary consultation with Closing Churches Well.