Finding Hope in Church Closures

My Conversation with Rev. Lorrin Radzik

When I first sat down with Reverend Lorrin Radzik, I knew this conversation was going to be different. We had talked a few weeks prior, but this time, we dove even deeper into one of the toughest aspects of ministry—church closures. Lorrin is someone who has walked through the experience more than once, and her story isn’t just about saying goodbye to a dying church. It’s about finding hope and purpose in the midst of endings.

What struck me most about our conversation was how Lorrin approaches something that could easily feel like failure. Pastors are taught to build up our congregations, to nurture them, to help them grow. But what happens when the opposite is true? What happens when a church’s time comes to an end, and you're the one tasked with leading it through that final chapter? That’s a tough calling, and not one many would want to take on repeatedly.

But Lorrin doesn’t shy away from it. In fact, she’s found a way to see the beauty in those final days. We talked about the idea of a “good death” for churches—the concept that just because a church is closing, doesn’t mean it didn’t fulfill its mission. Sometimes, a church has done all it was meant to do, and it’s time to let go. That’s not failure; that’s completion.

Lorrin shared how one of the churches she served had this daycare ministry that, while well-intentioned and meaningful, wasn’t enough to sustain the church itself. The congregation loved the daycare, and it served the community well, but the church was still in decline. The hard reality was that the finances, the numbers, and the energy weren’t there to keep things going. As painful as it was, she had to lead them through the realization that no amount of duct tape or effort would change that.

What I appreciated most was how Lorrin reframed the situation for the people she served. She helped them see that their church’s legacy didn’t end with the closure. The lives they touched, the ministries they supported, and even the memories they created were part of a legacy that would continue in new and different ways. One thing that stood out was when she talked about members of that closed church still meeting to this day. They’ve formed a small community, still praying and supporting each other outside the walls of a traditional church building.

We also talked about the emotional toll these closures take. It’s not just about numbers and finances; it’s about people’s lives, their histories, and their deep connections to these sacred spaces. Lorrin shared a particularly raw moment when she walked into her office one Sunday morning to find her degrees smashed on the floor and her coffee sabotaged. Someone was angry—angry that their church was closing, angry at Lorrin for being the one to guide them through it. That kind of rage can make you question your calling, but Lorrin held onto her faith and continued loving those people, even when it was hard.

She talked about how resurrection is messy and often unrecognizable, referencing how even Jesus looked different post-resurrection. Lorrin encouraged her congregations to embrace the idea that while their church may close, the resurrection of their ministry could look different, unexpected, and maybe even better than they imagined.

This conversation with Lorrin left me thinking about the broader picture of ministry. Communities are changing, attendance is shrinking, and the old ways of doing things aren’t working anymore. But maybe that’s okay. Maybe it’s time for us to stop clinging to what was and start looking for where new life is springing up. It might not look like we expect. It might mean saying goodbye to beloved buildings and traditions. But if we trust in resurrection, we know that God is still at work—even in the endings.

If you’ve ever been part of a church that’s in decline, or if you’re a pastor facing tough decisions about your congregation’s future, I hope this episode and this conversation with Lorrin will give you some comfort. Endings are hard, but they aren’t the end of the story. Resurrection is coming—it just might look different than we expect.

Thanks for reading, and as always, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media. Let’s keep this conversation going.

The Reality of Dying Churches: Insights from Gail Cafferata

As a podcast host exploring the challenges facing modern churches, I recently had the privilege of interviewing Gail Cafferata, author of "The Last Pastor" and a retired Episcopal priest who closed a church. Our conversation shed light on the often-overlooked realities of dying churches and the toll they take on pastors.

Gail's unique perspective as both a researcher and a pastor who's been through church closure herself offered invaluable insights. She surveyed over 100 pastors who have closed churches, uncovering patterns and challenges that many face in silence.

One striking revelation was the emotional impact of leading a dying church. Gail found that 65% of pastors experienced high stress levels, and many struggled with feelings of guilt, shame, and failure. This emotional toll often extends to their careers, with some pastors facing difficulties finding new positions after closure.

Gail introduced me to the concept of "differentiation" - the ability for pastors to maintain healthy boundaries between themselves and their congregations. This skill becomes crucial when leading a dying church, allowing pastors to guide the process without becoming overwhelmed by the congregation's emotions.

Perhaps most importantly, Gail emphasized that a dying church doesn't have to be a failure. She spoke about what constitutes a "good death" for a congregation, including:

1. Celebrating the church's legacy and impact

2. Providing pastoral care for members and leaders

3. Finding ways for the church's mission to continue through its members in new contexts

As we face the reality of declining church attendance and more congregations facing closure, Gail's research and experiences offer a roadmap for navigating these challenging times with grace and hope.

For those interested in diving deeper into this topic, I highly recommend checking out Gail's book, "The Last Pastor," or listening to our full conversation on The Last Service podcast.

Have you experienced or witnessed a church closure? How did it impact you or your community? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Revitalizing the Modern Church: A Journey from Decline to Renewal

In today's rapidly changing cultural landscape, traditional churches face unprecedented challenges. Many are witnessing a gradual decline in attendance and engagement, particularly in secularized cities. This was the case for a historic church in Seattle, led by Verlon Fosner, who shared his experience on the Last Service Podcast.

From Thriving to Declining: Understanding the Shift

When Verlon and his team took over a century-old church in Seattle, they initially saw growth, with attendance records being broken and multiple services offered. However, around 2004-2005, they noticed a significant downturn, despite their best efforts. The church, once vibrant, began to experience a decline that left the leadership team searching for answers.

The Role of Secularization in Church Decline

Seattle, like many other cities in the Pacific Northwest, is highly secularized, with only about 5% of the population attending church regularly. This reality led Verlon to pursue further studies in the UK, where he learned about the effects of secularization on churches. The insights gained from his time in Oxford were invaluable, helping him understand the root cause of the decline: the church was designed for a population that no longer existed in large numbers.

Embracing a New Approach: The Dinner Church Model

Faced with the reality of their situation, Verlon and his team made a bold decision to rethink their approach to church. They realized that their traditional methods were not resonating with the secularized population of Seattle. This led to the birth of the Dinner Church model, a concept inspired by the early Christian church's practice of gathering around tables to share meals and discuss the teachings of Jesus.

The shift to the Dinner Church model was not easy. It required a significant change in mindset, moving away from the "church business" to focus on the "rescue business"—reaching out to those who are lost and disconnected from faith. This approach resonated deeply with the community, bringing in people who had previously been uninterested in traditional church services.

The Impact: A Revival of Community and Faith

The results of this transformation were remarkable. Within months, the Dinner Church saw an influx of attendees from the local neighborhood, many of whom had never set foot in a traditional church. This model proved to be more than just an innovative approach; it was a return to the roots of Christian fellowship and evangelism, focusing on building relationships and sharing the message of Jesus in a way that was accessible and relevant to the modern, secularized world.

Key Takeaways for Modern Churches

Verlon's story offers valuable lessons for churches grappling with similar challenges. The key to revitalizing a declining church lies in understanding the cultural context and being willing to adapt. By returning to the basics of Christian fellowship and focusing on genuine community engagement, churches can find new ways to connect with those who have drifted away from faith.

Keywords: church decline, secularization, Dinner Church, church revitalization, modern church challenges, community engagement, Christian fellowship.

Letting Go to Let God Lead: The Story of Ballast Point Baptist’s Merger

When churches are faced with difficulties like declining attendance or pastoral turnover, thoughts of closing or merging often come up. For Ballast Point Baptist Church in Tampa, Florida, the vision for a greater Gospel impact through merger is what ultimately led them to join with another congregation, Davis Islands Baptist Church.

In the lastest episode of The Last Service Podcast, we heard from Tom Sander, who served for over 30 years at Ballast Point and the church formed through the merger, South Tampa Fellowship. Tom shared the remarkable story of how Ballast Point made the bold decision to merge despite not being in desperate circumstances.

A Clear Calling Amidst Challenges

When Tom joined as music director in 1994, Ballast Point had an attendance between 150-300. However, over the next few years, a string of pastoral departures - including legal troubles for one pastor - led to significant instability. Still, Tom sensed a calling to remain and revitalize the ministry.

"I felt there was so much more to do there. I knew it wasn't the end of the church," Tom says. With patience and steady leadership during the turnover, he cast a vision for how merging with a larger church could breathe new life into Ballast Point's location and reach the surrounding community more effectively.

The Merger Process Just a couple miles away, Davis Islands Baptist - an extension campus of a megachurch - was bursting at the seams with over 1,500 people attending multiple services each Sunday. When Tom learned this, he boldly initiated conversations about merging the two congregations.

While a few families at Ballast Point struggled to "give up their church," most of the congregation embraced the move after seeing Tom's heart and vision. The merger allowed Davis Islands to renovate and move into Ballast Point's larger building, while Ballast Point entered a revitalized ministry as part of the newly renamed South Tampa Fellowship.

A Legacy of Letting Go

Tom acknowledged the difficulty of a smaller church giving up its identity and autonomy in a merger. However, he advises churches to make decisions like this out of vision and calling rather than desperation. Seeing new life and families come in at South Tampa Fellowship helped Ballast Point's members let go of personal preferences.

The merger's impact became even more poignant for Tom when, around his retirement after 30 years of ministry, his grandson was baptized at the renovated Ballast Point campus. Tom's willingness to let go of what was familiar allowed for new beginnings and an enduring Gospel legacy.

"I'm just grateful for God's calling...and where He led me," Tom reflects. His story exemplifies how sometimes embracing an end can preserve and multiply ministry for generations to come.

Merging Churches: A Story of Humility and New Beginnings

Pastor Ernie Wagoner, planter and leader of Sojourn Church outside Atlanta, recently came on The Last Service Podcast to share an inspirational story of his young church merging with a 170-year old congregation, Paper Mill Road Baptist Church. 

The merger was born out of both churches facing pivotal and emotional transitions. Sojourn Church had been renting space from a small Lutheran church for Sunday services. But in 2018, the Lutheran church told Sojourn they would need to move out in early 2019. Ernie describes calling his fledgling congregation of 80-90 together in early 2019 to break the difficult news. “We have nothing on the table,” he told them. At almost the same time, Paper Mill Road Baptist Church found itself at a crossroads when their pastor of 17 years resigned. 

A Mutually Beneficial Kingdom Partnership

In God-ordained timing, a mutual friend connected Ernie with Paper Mill Road's leadership team. As they began exploring a potential merger, they found more and more missional alignment and relational chemistry. Paper Mill Road Baptist Church saw Sojourn, with its young, vibrant leadership and visionary spirit as a way to carry on gospel ministry on their property for decades to come. In turn, Sojourn Church joined their contemporary church plant with the rich 174-year legacy of Paper Mill Road, connecting their congregation to something much bigger than themselves.

Key Insights on Church Mergers

In my conversation with Ernie, several key insights on church mergers emerged:

1. Posture of Humility Critical: Ernie frequently mentioned the posture of humility from both congregations as crucial to a godly, kingdom-building merger taking place, rather than one simply trying to preserve their own institution. Paper Mill Road Baptist Church was remarkably self-aware of their declining capacity and need for fresh vision and leadership. Sojourn Church approached them not looking to take over, but to continue the beautiful ministry Paper Mill had maintained for nearly two centuries.  

2. Balance Organizational Leadership with Pastoral Care: Ernie described needing to lead firmly on issues of vision, governance, facilities and other organizational aspects critical to merging two entities. However, he also emphasized going slowly, listening intently to grieving hearts unsure of change, and honoring Paper Mill Road's stories and history. His ultimate goal was that they would feel fully embraced as part of Sojourn's family.

3. Merge to Something Bigger than Ourselves: A key takeaway was how the merger connected both churches more fully to Christ's global, eternal Church. For Sojourn's young congregation, they embraced the gift of being joined to a rich legacy much bigger than their own current story. For Paper Mill Road, entrusting their property and history to Sojourn's leadership represented a passing of the baton that gives them hope. More than maintaining buildings, their passion is to see the gospel continue advancing in their community.

A Church’s Final Act of Faith

In the small town of Elberta, Alabama, First Baptist Church had been in decline for decades. Despite having a beautiful building that could hold 200 people, attendance had dwindled to around 23 active members. As Pastor Mike Woods came on board, he performed an assessment that showed the church was nearing the point of no return.

Meanwhile, Pastor Mike kept noticing banners around town for The Point Church, a vibrant Southern Baptist mission church launched from a mother church in Pensacola. Pastor Mike reached out and soon realized that while First Baptist was dying, The Point represented new life and an opportunity to preserve the gospel witness in Elberta.

After fellowship services together, the congregations began to bond as long-lost cousins, rather than strangers. In early 2020, right before COVID-19 hit, First Baptist held a vote and decided to fully give their building and assets to The Point Church. This not only enabled gospel ministry to continue on the property for decades to come, but gave The Point a permanent home after having set up and torn down equipment each week.

The transition meant First Baptist Church would soon cease to exist. Pastor Mike had to help grieving members understand that this sacrifice enabled the light of Christ to keep shining in their town. Just as Jesus died so others could live, First Baptist was dying so The Point Church could thrive.

This Christ-like act took courage and vision on the part of First Baptist's leaders and congregation. As up to 5,000 churches close each year in America, stories like this reveal creative ways to pass the baton to new generations, even when it means the final service for a beloved spiritual home.