closing churches

In this economy many churches are falling back into or deeper into a pit which will lead to their demise. That pit is to put more time and energy into their building and their past history to try stave off the anxiety they have about the future. The fastest growing style of property for sale in Ohio are church buildings of congregations who held on to them, using up their money and energy until there was no one left to keep them going, but by then the congregation was decimated and had lost their missional purpose.

We are trapped by our success in the past.

10 Deadly Sins of a Dying Church
Abandoning a Building Centered Model
summary of "Pagan Christianity" (book) on church buildings

A live church has parking problems
A dying church doesn’t

A live church has lots of noisy children around
A dying church enjoys peace and quiet

A live church often changes the way things are done to do them better
A dying church doesn’t need to

A live church dreams greater dreams for God’s Kingdom
A dying church has nightmares

A live church invites people to risk involvement and new ideas
A dying church plays it safe and never risks anything

A live church supports world mission
A dying church says “charity begins at home”

A live church uses tradition and buildings to serve God and people
A dying church uses people to serve the tradition and buildings

A live church worships
A dying church worries

A live church is filled with tithers
A dying church is filled with tippers

A live church forgives and seeks forgiveness
A dying church never makes mistakes

A live church looks for challenges and opportunities
A dying church looks out for problems and dangers

A live church evangelizes
A dying church fossilizes