Options if Your Church is Smaller

There are many congregations in this country that look down the road to the future and wonder if they will be able to survive. While some leaders stay in denial or refuse to change, waiting for the last member to turn out the lights, many churches are finding creative solutions to sustain and build their ministry and mission.

Here are some creative options:

• Make a concerted effort to get out in the community and reach new people. In some cases this means investing the remaining funds of a church to call a full-time pastor and "go for broke".

• Explore shared ministry: Many churches are learning to share ministry through mergers, yoking with another congregation (s), and forming collaboratives.

• Adoption: Smaller churches can approach larger congregations and ask to be a second site, thus continuing to minister in an important mission field.

• Use of building: Many church building are underutilized and space can be reconfigured to house day care, adult care, social service organizations or other faith communities.

• Sell the building and relocate: If you have a large building that no longer serves its original purpose, selling and relocating to a leased space can be helpful.

• Close and donate: In some cases the best scenario is to close and use the remaining resources to fund other ministry and mission or a new church start.

If your church looks at a future that may seem bleak, the time to act is now, while you still have a variety of options. Your legacy to future generations of that community may depend on your faithful creativity.

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If you would like more details on how to lead a vision/discernment process in your church, reach out to Paul Nickerson at Nickersonp@comcast.net or visit Nickersoncoaching.com.