Recently a church closed its doors forever. Many will lament at that statement, but the church that closed celebrated! Here is the post on Facebook that caught my attention (shared with permission):
The decision was made to officially close our doors. We’ve been a tiny church plant in Central Arkansas for almost 2.5 years. We started with 3 people and grew to about 30-35. It may not sound like much, but we grew ten fold if you think about it! That’s big growth in a short time.
– Glenna Hollis
The things we’ve been able to accomplish in this short time for the Kingdom are off the charts. We’ve made connections around the world and literally followed the Great Commission. We’ve helped the poor and needy in our community, we’ve made disciples in our own backyard, we’ve sent or been sent to Honduras, Mexico, Africa, and Asia. We’ve financially supported mission work. We’re working hard to keep “failure” out of our vocabulary. The Refuge Community Church may be closing its doors, but it’s not a failure. It’s closing its doors because it was so successful in growing disciples that we all feel called to GO.
This caught my attention for many reason. Here are just a couple. One, I have been part of a church plant and I know the struggles that can be associated with it. Two it was a small church and small churches are dear to my heart.
Being a part of a small church, the focus can often shift to numbers, to numerical growth, especially in a church plant. The one thing that is key to remember is that numbers alone do not indicate the spiritual health of a church.
As we read Glenna’s post we can see several things to celebrate but I want to close in on one thing – the result. No, not the doors being closed, but because “it was so successful in growing disciples that we all feel called to GO”
Jesus calls us to make disciples. He does not teach us to stay, but rather to go. How many of you serving in small churches have seen people go out from your church and be involved in other ministries? I hope all of you!
I vividly remember a time when the small church that I grew up had a service to celebrate an anniversary. They asked people to share where they were now and memories of the church. I stood and shared about the ministry where I was serving and as I shared that I was overseeing ministry to 100+ children that my ministry was larger than this church had ever seen! This small church sent me out and by doing so had a greater reach for the Kingdom then if I would have stayed.
So often small churches do not “grow” because they are sending key people out to reach many more through other ministries. Ultimately extending the reach of the small church to the uttermost parts of the earth!
The pastor and others who were a part of this local church could look back on this and call it a failure. That would be a tragedy because they reached many people for the Kingdom during this season of ministry. To call it a failure would be calling all of the things the did for the Kingdom a failure.
As humans, yes it is sad to say goodbye to something or someone who has been such a big part of your life. I do not belittle those feelings and emotions. However we can rejoice at what God did in this brief period of history.
It reminds me of Esther. She was placed where she was for a specific season and a specific purpose. We don’t know what else she did except to save Mordecai and the nation of Israel. A time of service for a brief period of time. There are also seasons of ministry. God may place us in a specific ministry, for a specific season, for a specific purpose. I stand with Glenna in believing that this church is not a failure for closing its doors, rather a success as they discipled many who will now go and reach many more. This small church was planted for such a time as this, in a specific place, at a specific time, for a specific purpose – which they fulfilled and now it is time to move on to another season of ministry.
Maybe the sign on the door should look more like this:
Though this church has closed its doors, they are still awesome because they are serving God in new ways, in a new season of life, following His lead.
Do not be focused on numerical growth. Numbers can be manipulated to show many things. Numbers can show trends, but focus more on people. Teaching them to go and tell others as this church did so well.
Take a moment and consider how those in your church have gone out, leaving “your” church, and are now ministering to many that you would not reach? How far reaching is your small church? I think when you truly reflect on this, that you will be amazed at how God has, and is, using your “small” ministry.
Be encouraged today. Your ministry is having an impact on others when you focus on the One True God.
