Pride in Closing: LGBTQ Affirmation and Congregational Closure
How does church closure affect LGBTQ affirming congregations? Is there a Rainbow Glass Cliff for queer clergy? This Pride month Sara and Diane share insights on completing ministry in reconciling and affirming congregations.
Reframing the Conversation about Church Endings
How can we reframe our conversations about closing, merging, changing, or doing church “differently"? Rev. Libby Howe frames change — even hard change — through the lens of hope and holy imagination.
Resurrection Hope: Church Closure and a Faithful Future
Pastor Lorrin Radzik preaches resurrection — even after closing two churches. For courageous leaders, death is not the end of our story.
Struggling Churches
It’s tricky to talk about struggling churches. We need to both name reality and reflect God’s continued presence. These faith communities are doing their best to follow God into an uncertain future.
We are searching for terms that are both accurate and neutral. So what should we say?
Dying Churches
Is it possible to say “Dying Church” and “Congregational Hospice” without stigma? Unfortunately, those phrases are rarely used that way. Fear transforms “dying” and “hospice” from neutral descriptors to stigmatized terms.
Closing Churches: What (Not) to Say
I wasn't sure what to say and what not to say. All I knew was that I felt punched in the gut when a denominational official told me that my beloved church had “Failed.”
Celebrating Advent as a Closing Congregation
When a congregation is about to close, here are some DOs and DON’Ts for your last Advent.
So You Think Your Church Might Close?
Good Friday Collaborative’s Diane Kenaston offers 10 practical actions any leader can take if you think your church might close.
Asking for a Friend…The “Bigger Picture” of Church Closure
In this installment of the Good Friday Collaborative’s advice column “Asking for a Friend…” Jay in the UK asks about the bigger picture of church closure.
Asking for a Friend…Call for Questions!
Have a question about church closure or merger? Submit your anonymous question to Good Friday Collaborative's holy closure advice column, "Asking for a Friend!" Our church closure experts will respond via our blog and newsletter.