Our church is dwindling in number and many are well into retirement. How small is too small? Is it ever right to close a church?
The short, painful response is, ‘Yes,’ but we must be careful about the criteria we use and the assessment we make. Size is not the primary measure of a church’s spiritual vitality and ecclesiastical value and viability. A large gathering is not necessarily full of heavenly life; a small gathering may be vibrant. Second, we need to consider the true church – the people – as well as its resources and assets – buildings, furniture, finances, and the like.
Specifically, you describe a dwindling and ageing congregation. Such a congregation might be relatively rich in physical assets – a pleasant building (perhaps, under the circumstances, starting to run down), even healthy capital and income.
What are its spiritual assets? I mean, in addition to the promises of God, do you have a lively church, marked by true preaching, sweet fellowship, eager prayer, intentional evangelism, and the like? If so, then you may still have a positive outlook.
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