To experience a great love is a great gift. Mine happened to be my local church.
In late August, Seventh Street United Methodist held its final service. Facing shrinking numbers and sweeping changes made at this year’s General Conference, the decision was made for the church to close after more than 100 years of serving as a witness to the gospel on the corner of Seventh and Bryant streets in Parkersburg, West Virginia.
I grew up with Seventh Street UMC as did my mother and her brothers. My grandparents and great-grandmother attended there. I want to express gratitude and love for my church one final time.
It is important to allow people the opportunity to grieve for their closing churches. People often say the “church isn’t the building”. The idea being that we should be able to readily detach ourselves from the places in which we meet. After all, if we are so attached to our church and its interior life, we may neglect to go out and share the gospel. And while we should go out and share the gospel, this statement ignores something profoundly important: buildings matter. Because the people in them spend decades serving God together in those buildings, and the gifts they have donated for use of the church, in many cases the gifts they have labored and sacrificed to make, were for the service of God. And now in the case of my church, they will most likely be auctioned off and the building bulldozed.
When I return home, I will miss my church building. I will miss the freedom to enter it and sit in its pews and pray and know that I had a place where I was always welcome.
Even more than the building, I want to express my love for the people who attended there. They have been one of the great blessings of my life. They have loved me and shown Christ to me and that is a great gift. I am quite certain that I will never be so deeply loved by so many people as I was by my church. To be loved so intensely is a blessing, and by loving my church and being loved by my church, it became a living witness to me that deeply impacted my ecclesiology. It taught me to love, serve, and treasure The Church. Despite its imperfections, my church was a small witness to the blessing that Christ gives us in the church universal.
My church also helped to foster my love for music, and I will cherish the hymns, bluegrass, and gospel songs that I learned through its ministry. I will always stand on my tiptoes when I sing “Love Lifted Me.” The music ministry at my church, particularly its choir, was an excellent example of intergenerational ministry. Those relationships are essential for keeping young adults connected to their faith, and they certainly helped as I grew in mine. I will miss how joyful people were as they participated in our music ministry, an important demonstration of using our talents for the service of God. I will miss standing at the piano with our pianist and worship leader, learning songs, and enjoying one another’s company while preparing for Sunday morning. And I will always be grateful for the investment they made in teaching me to read music and to sing.
Also impactful was the reverence with which I saw members of my church take communion. Cradling the bread in their hand and whispering “thank you, Jesus.” Those simple, discrete acts of devotion demonstrated to me a deep and winsome faith on the part of its members.
Most of all, I am grateful for steadfast devotion to God that I saw the members of my church live out in their daily lives. We had members experience tragic events, the loss of homes, and the loss of children, and yet they demonstrated a deep-rooted trust that God was with them in the darkest moments, and He was their source of comfort. Part of that comfort was given to them by the steadfast presence of love by their fellow church members, who faithfully lived out their covenant vows to care for one another. They also demonstrated this devotion in the ministries of the church. Prison ministries, ministries to shut-ins, and most of all our children’s ministries. And they practiced those incarnationally, engaging with people in person for the sake of the gospel. I consider myself blessed to have grown up participating in the ministries of my church to children.
My church is now closed. I am not sure what will become of the building, but the long-term impact of its ministry will be a blessing to those who had the opportunity to encounter it, and it will continue to be a blessing to those with whom its laity interacts. I will always be grateful to my church for helping me to love Christ and love His bride the Church. For this and for so many other blessings, thank you. Eternal thank-yous!
More from IRD:
United Methodist Bishops Karen Oliveto and Minerva Carcaño Retire
Callously Breaking Covenant: Reflections on UMC General Conference
‘Petty and Vindictive’: West Virginia Sees United Methodist General Conference Aftermath
Comment by Tim on September 11, 2024 at 5:43 pm
I’m so sorry. It was places like this that used to bring our society together, and we both desperately need them and are rejecting them.
Comment by Keith South on September 11, 2024 at 8:54 pm
Sorry to see this church close. My Great Grandparents, Grandparents, Aunt and Uncle were members of the church their entire lives. My father grew up in this church and I visited often while growing up. I was blessed to be an active member for several years in the 1980’s when I accepted a job with a local company. With the decisions made at the UMC General Conference this year I understand the decision to close. I applaud the Congregation’s courage to close a ministry and start a new journey with Christ.
Comment by Porter on September 11, 2024 at 11:02 pm
Sarah, this grieves my heart. I’m sorry for your loss.
Comment by Kathy Cowan on September 11, 2024 at 11:30 pm
I am so deeply moved by your beautifully written story. Thank you for sharing it. My childhood church is now poorly attended. It was truly a wonderful part the community life of my family and my youth. Sunday school. Children’s choir, then Adult choir, Family Church Camp, covered dish suppers, beautiful architecture, the seasons of Christian celebrations throughout the years. And it was a very beautiful old building that I just loved! I would hope that it could be preserved. Sigh.
Comment by Dee Dee Bailey on September 11, 2024 at 11:59 pm
I’m so sorry! This is happening in my home state of Oklahoma too! It’s heartbreaking! My grandfather was a UMC minister for almost 50 years and I loved visiting all the churches he served. I pray that we will have a nationwide revival that will restore the church to our communities!🙏🏼
Comment by Anita Norris on September 12, 2024 at 7:36 am
Beautifully said.🤍
Comment by Rik Eischen on September 12, 2024 at 7:43 am
As you are deeply thankful for the church which was so much a part of your life, may Almighty God lead you to a new church where you hear the truth of the Holy Bible proclaimed, you have the opportunity to get to know people who can be a part of your current life, and you can lend your heart and your voice to helping others through today’s crises
Perhaps another choir awaits you. Your memories can help you as you prepare to serve the One true God in a different building, amidst other members of the Body of Christ. May He lead you and guide you along the way. May He walk beside you.
Comment by Chris Shipe on September 12, 2024 at 8:13 am
My church is getting close to this. I struggle with what God’s purpose and plan is and am saddened to see our Methodist Church slowly fade.
Comment by Mitiku on September 12, 2024 at 8:23 am
Yes, we do feel an attachment to spaces and such. Yes, we need to be thankful for the privilege of worshipping with others. In times like one described above, we also need to reflect on two aspects of our calling as followers of Christ. We were called to “go” and bear witness to Jesus’ death and resurrection. We were also called to reflect on where we may have missed the mark for church community to close down its doors.
Comment by Mary Dear on September 12, 2024 at 8:58 am
Sarah, I am so sorry that your lovely church had to close. Your thoughts and reflections of the powerful impact of the church and its members were moving and thoughtful. I pray you will quickly find another church community. While it will surely be different, I pray that it will bless and encourage you in your growth and love as a follower of Christ.
Comment by The Rev. Dr. Kate Hennessy-Keimig on September 12, 2024 at 9:34 am
Thank you. This was a wonderful tribute to who the Beloved Community can be and the power of that love, connection and , yes, physical space. Buildings collect the energy of those who “live” in them, and churches collect the prayer and worship energy of the generations. I’m sorry for the loss of this place for you.
Comment by Chuck Horsager on September 12, 2024 at 9:47 am
Hello, I just came upon this and felt that it was a well written piece showing great love to the church building as well as the church people.
I actually served a United Methodist Church has their part-time pastor for over 12 years and believe it or not… Have purchased a United Methodist Church building Because they merged with another church and now we are renovating it to be a counseling center as well as an event center for weddings and hosting quilting and scrapbooking parties and other events.
Almost nothing is forever thankfully, we have a great big Heavenly Father who is. Blessings in your transition!
Comment by Fonda Rist on September 12, 2024 at 9:56 am
I send you my condolences as people share your grief over the recent decisions in so many of our small and large UM churches. Grieving is hard work, but those that grieve with us give us comfort…may you find peace in the days to come…your description of your loving environment was synonymous with many across our UM connection. So sad for the denomination that has served so many for so long.
Comment by Winston Hashburn on September 12, 2024 at 10:07 am
Jesus come quickly!
Comment by Carla Graham on September 12, 2024 at 10:08 am
My Methodist sentiments exactly. I too honor the people I grew up among, their love and service. My grandfather and my husband were pastors in this church. I followed my husband to seminary and loved those profs. Played the organ at so many churches. What bothers me even more is the damage all thus uproar and loss has done to traditional Christianity. I no longer attend any church, but I am still so sorry about the disaffiliating and the carelessness and self-righteousness of those who are willing to cause the problem. Then people wonder and wring their hands over the decline in attendance when they have helped to bring it about.
Comment by Donna on September 12, 2024 at 10:17 am
Your story is so similarly to my story except I came to my church as an adult, was welcomed with open arms and accepted Christ as my Savior there. My church closed it’s doors in 2017 after more than 165 years on the same property. Everything you shared broke my heart all over again Sarah. Even though I attend & am active in another church since, that little church will always be my church.
Comment by Lovie Condrick on September 12, 2024 at 10:41 am
So sorry for your loss. I am sure at this time it feels as if the tether to your anchor has been severed and you are afloat…. in spite of the many other churches you are able to attend. This one has so many deep meaning…. mourning your loss will take time….
I wish you and your congregation Peace .
Comment by Stan on September 12, 2024 at 10:46 am
I am sorry that you have not been able to move past you WASP European concept of church. Hopefully you will grow from this as the jews were forced to from the destruction of their temple. You will now learn the true meaning of worship without the confines of your culture
Comment by Denise M Childers on September 12, 2024 at 11:00 am
Thank you, Sarah, for a beautiful reflection and Honest feelings shared.
God bless you and your congregation as you seek how best to move forward in faith.
Comment by Lloyd Philpótt on September 12, 2024 at 11:20 am
Thank you for this article.
Buildings, facilities and the objects there in and their design are important. Such were important to God who gave the patterns to Noah, Moses and David. If the overall design and details were important to God, then they should be important to us in our service and ministry. BTW, Solomon did not have a temple. God did. All Solomon had was a porch, but as the general contractor, he gets the credit. God gave the design to David who provided it to Solomon with the bill of materials.
Yes, as Christians, we are the temple, but such spiritual truth does not diminish the importance of the physical constructs to God to serve the Church in going forth with the great commission. The book of Revelation also tells us of the future and how important the constructs by Christ will be integral to eternal life and his bride. Even the creation of the cosmos tells of the order and design character of God. The facilities of the Church and as well our homes matter to serve the purpose of Christ and his Church. They must matter to us in our service to God.
Yes, for full disclosure, I’m a designer.
Comment by Mark Brown on September 12, 2024 at 11:20 am
I can understand loosing your building. There have been people kicked out of churches and denominations for standing for truth, even Wesley was kicked out of the Church of England I believe and went on to preach the truth on sanctification (second work of grace)
But i counted about 80 or so people (Maybe there’s More that didn’t make it for the picture) is way to many people to just throw in the towel and call it quits and not rebuild another building or buy another one smaller. Maybe I’m missing something here.
The early Church of God in the book of Acts didn’t have church buildings to begin with but they “turned the world upside down”
Anyway when Christ comes back it the earth will be destroyed with fervent heat. And all building ,houses and cars will be gone.
Comment by Adrienne Possenti on September 12, 2024 at 11:26 am
Such a tragic reality of our time on earth. Following the birth of our daughter in 1983, my husband & I began attending our communities historic 250 year old Methodist church where we found a church home in which to raise our child. After 30+ years of loyal, faithful service we became churchless due to governmental Covid mandates. At the end of the covid isolation restrictions the federal government reversed Roe vs. Wade laws putting abortion laws at state level & away from the federal level. It was at that time that I learned of the United Methodists Church’s support of legalized abortion, aka a women’s right to chose. In disbelief of this revelation, I questioned the hierarchy of the church for clarification on this position. Much to my shock & dismay, it was confirmed that the United Methodist Church does support the “women’s right to chose.” After much angst, my husband & I officially severed all ties with the UMC. Our new church home aligns with our faith & beliefs.
Comment by Alive Miller on September 12, 2024 at 12:18 pm
So sad and I understand. Enjoyed reading your thoughts (I am not Methodist but am a Christian and part of the Kingdom of God).
Comment by Richard S on September 12, 2024 at 1:15 pm
You have a few options that you can do or they could do:
1) gathers a church at a different location
2) purchased the property back from the UMC
3) find a different church to go to (personally. I would recommend a global methodist church.Not even at this church, but that’s just my opinion)
4) do nothing.
Comment by Leona on September 12, 2024 at 1:24 pm
A healthy church building is the visible heart of a community. As these historic churches close, the community loses more than brick and mortar.
Comment by Diane Hicks on September 12, 2024 at 1:32 pm
So much of your writing resonates with me and me calling a small country United Methodist church my home for 70+ years. It breaks my heart what is happening to Methodist doctrine and how it’s being changed to societal norms. But the spiritual growth I experienced in that church is priceless to me. All through the years the congregation was truly a “family”, helping and caring for each other whenever there was a need. We celebrated the good times and held each other close during the valleys of life. It saddens me that my grandchildren will probably not experience the depth of this type of love from a church.
Comment by Elaine Kauffman on September 12, 2024 at 2:22 pm
I come from the same situation and I appreciate the way you put our feelings into words. Prayers!
Comment by Linda McLaughlin on September 12, 2024 at 2:24 pm
Bless you, I understand what you are saying my Church growing up was my life and has now been changed…my Lord Jesus has not..and there are other congregations that will provide and share their faith. And be glad to welcome you. 🙏
Comment by Neva Mielke on September 12, 2024 at 2:44 pm
I’m sorry, but learning of this church closing makes me angry. At a time when churches and faith are so very important to healing our world (as described by the author), we should be fighting with all within us to keep our doors open; not letting the divisiveness of the world shut us down! My heart grieves for all this author has lost!
Comment by Erin Wilhite on September 12, 2024 at 3:15 pm
Your words, so beautifully crafted, brought me to tears.
For those of you who have left the church altogether, I implore you to find a local church online. Most went online during COVID. Ours did, and while we quickly came back together physically, we maintained the online presence. But you need to find a singing church, like ours, Christ Church College Station!
Comment by Bill Giordano on September 12, 2024 at 3:15 pm
Our church closed in 2021. As we look at the things leading to church closings, most recently UMC decisions, we must remember that the gospel is the good news of human government replaced by the government of Jesus under God the Father. Human government gets “progressively “ worse as time goes by. Let’s remember the gospel and pray more fervently, “Your kingdom come”.
Comment by Steve Carswell on September 12, 2024 at 5:51 pm
Good job and thanks for sharing so beautifully!
Comment by Roger on September 12, 2024 at 6:03 pm
Hi Sarah Stewart;
Do you want a Christian Church? What is a true Christian Church? People were first called Christians at Antioch Church. Paul preached there and his message was 1 Corinthians 15: 1 – 4. This Gospel is the true Christian’s gospel message. The 12 and even Jesus did not have followers that were called Christians. If this Gospel is not preached, but another gospel is preached, they are accursed, per Galatians 1: 8 – 9. Also Romans 2: 16, says Jesus Christ will judge you by this gospel. I hope you would want to not mislead church people and go to one that preaches the Resurrected Jesus, regardless of how many years, you have been at a church that doesn’t preach this, You know the United Methodist Church is a new church now with a new Book of Disciple, etc.
Comment by John on September 12, 2024 at 6:08 pm
Salvific Abrahamic faith displaces us beyond the comfortable cozy. Too, true worship takes place in Spirit and Truth, not on any particular Gerazim or Zion.
Comment by Joe on September 12, 2024 at 6:43 pm
Sarah and anyone hurting,
Come home to the Orthodox CHRISTIAN Church. It doesn’t matter if it’s Greek, Eastern, Oriental, or even Russian.
The Orthodox Faith is for all people, and that means you!
In the Orthodox Church we don’t focus on where the Church may or may not be, but rather on where we know that it is – and we know that the fullness of the Body of Jesus Christ is found within the Holy Orthodox Church.
The Orthodox Church is the Church founded by the apostles and the first followers of Christ with the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. That means that the very same teachings and faith have been handed down from generation to generation by the bishops of the Church and spread all throughout the whole world. Even the Holy Bible as we know it and have received it was compiled by the Orthodox Church and preserved as we have inherited it today.
If you go to an Orthodox Church service, you cannot help but see that the Divine Services, teachings, and beliefs of the Church are fully immersed in the Holy Scriptures.
Also, the buildings are beautiful and smell heavenly.
Great article and may GOD be with each of you.
Comment by Stephanie Jenkins on September 12, 2024 at 7:17 pm
Well said. Buildings do matter
Comment by Ragnhild Moyer Banes on September 12, 2024 at 7:44 pm
I can relate to your feelings. We began to attend Woodland Chapel Methodist Church (later United Methodist Church) when I was nine years old. We were able to walk to church so my two sisters were very active. My sister, who was a year younger than me, walked to Sunday School every Sunday. When we began attending there it had not begun to hold Sunday worship services.
In about 1955 it began Sunday Services which we attended every week. We both were in the Junior choir and practiced every Friday night. Our leader and her husband would take each of us home after practice.
I loved that little church! When I was 15 years old I became a Sunday School teacher for 2nd and third grade students and also became the youth adviser. We only had about 50 to 60 persons in attendance. When it first became a church we had two different lay pastors, each of these men had a great influence in my sisters and my life. When I was 17 years old, I graduated from high school and my future husband became the first pastor that had a formal seminary training. He was with us for three years and then was moved to another church. We again had a lay pastor which we all loved.
A couple of years ago, I was in the area and stopped by to see my church. I was devastated, the church which I loved and help form my faith had been torn down and two houses built in its place.
I know those people that have left their church are also devastated, not because of the building but because of the memories that were part of their church. Many had been baptized and married in their church. We are fortunate to have many happy memories, but it is much like a death, we have happy memories of our loved ones but their existence is no longer physically with us.
Comment by Timothy P Credle on September 12, 2024 at 7:49 pm
The United Methodist Church is responsible for its own demise. When important issues are ignored by all church leaders they fester. I’m delighted to see this happen. Good riddance to all you fake Christians and your hollow places of misguided worship.
Comment by Michael Petresky on September 12, 2024 at 8:14 pm
Perhaps I missed this in previous comments, but if God is still at work (and I believe God is), then what is God doing and what is God’s plan for us as we move into an unknown future? Likely not a simple continuation of what we have done in the past. Perhaps a radically new thing. Will denominations continue to exist? Will we continue to divide ourselves according to a single idea, a single word, or a single punctuation mark? Maybe not. In any case, we let us God’s bidding with hopeful expectation.
Comment by Dan Waldron on September 12, 2024 at 8:31 pm
The comments are varried as the whole Body of Christ has many expressions. First of all Sarah, the lord Jesus knows your heart. He is the Head of the CHURCH. Be comforted by the fact that if you are born of the Spirit, you are with the Beloved. He has to allow His church to be Sanctified not. a center of mixed drinks, potions and non Christian sentiment. The label of a church can only be as valid as the TRUTH it allows to tolerate. The Word exceeds the tradition. Most of all its social life. Stay in love with Jesus!
Comment by Rudy Myers on September 12, 2024 at 8:32 pm
It is MORE than a Shame… It is a Sin, that the UMC has turned their back on God and communities. It has become a cross between big business and a liberal political organization. … Pray for the parishioners that have been caught up in this disgusting mess.
Comment by DDJones on September 12, 2024 at 8:53 pm
What most people don’t understand that it is okay for a church to have an honorable death and to realize that they’re season has come to an end. Now with that being said hopefully a new seed will come into that building and bloom no matter what the denomination. God bless you all
Comment by Russ on September 12, 2024 at 11:11 pm
Touching, thank you!
Comment by Donna on September 13, 2024 at 1:45 am
What a lovely testimony. I’m sorry your church building is gone. It hurts. Hold onto your Savior and to your faith. Your letter to your church is beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Comment by Sara Smith on September 13, 2024 at 5:38 am
I grew up In the UMC. Both my parents and grandfathers were ordained, and my uncle was a bishop.
And sorry not sorry – I’m thrilled that your churches are closing in droves.
There’s a reason younger generations are leaving organized religion behind: we can see how they do nothing but serve as organizations of manipulation and hate. Thank goodness we are moving beyond the days that churches were respected and revered – can’t come soon enough.
Comment by Sarah Price on September 13, 2024 at 8:31 am
Sarah, your story is very similar to my story. Questions abound for me. Did you vote to disaffiliate and fall short? If so, where did the just short of 66 2/3% go? I pray you can all stay together somewhere.
My church home of 33 years failed to disaffiliate on September 10, 2023, by only two votes. The very next Sunday Eighty- three people began meeting in a funeral home. We then moved into a rental space. Today we are an official membership of 143 and are under contract to purchase an existing church property. I will pray for you church members to stay together somewhere.
Comment by Donna Cunningham on September 13, 2024 at 9:09 am
I am so sorry your church closed. It’s a shame young people aren’t going. I’m a devout Catholic attend Mass weekly. Not many families go to church. They think it’s boring.
Comment by Marianne Hawn on September 13, 2024 at 9:28 am
I scrolled across this article while in my doctor’s waiting room. Not sure what made me click but when I saw Seventh Street UM, I was gobsmacked. My family is from Parkersburg and several relatives were long-time members at Seventh Street. I’m very sorry to hear that the congregation has been dissolved and can’t imagine the feelings of grief and despair. God go with you as you process this loss.
Comment by Audrey Sonneveldt on September 13, 2024 at 9:35 am
So sorry that people will close a church (God’s house). If we dedicate it to God, then it belongs to Him! We should never take over from God. Some weary soul may walk by and something within them might result in them going in! We don’t know! Where two or three are gathered, God is there, thrilled and ready to accept and help them! When a church closes, it tells the world that we don’t need God anymore so we will close the church and sell it and make money to pay our bills. Yep, it says a lot about those who have no need for church any more! Poor God, people no longer want to visit His House and His Family anymore!😢😢😢
Comment by James Culberson on September 13, 2024 at 7:42 pm
Most of us who have been /were members of a methodist/united methodist have some “pangs” from time to time. The organization the umc has become simply reflects the politics of the county as it turns more and more progressive and liberal. Those congregations that remain umc will continue to dwindle away. Those congregations that have pulled out and joing the globle methodist church are probably waiting with baited breath to see–if indeed–John Wesley’s vision will live again. For this person, he is delighted to be OUT of either methodist entity and worshiping in a small nondenominatonal congregation that has Baptist in its name–please notice that “southern” is missing…………….
Comment by Different Steve on September 15, 2024 at 7:47 am
Here’s UMC stats re Seventh Street:
https://www.umdata.org/charts?church=147298
Makes clearer why the church closed. Mainly. Not much money coming in, expenditures exceeding income. Also, large drop in attendance over the last couple/few decades. Sad, but understandable.
Comment by Rickey Young on September 15, 2024 at 11:18 am
Linda Rika Testimony. No women pants.A woman is not a man. No man wearing women’s clothing. Your preacher teacher will not admit the mistake. Unless they read the Bible KJV only word for word only just his word only not his preacher. Lord is it you in the dream? Lord am I eligible for Heaven? Lord who is Lord? Matthew 22:8,11-13 no one worthy for Heaven. Clothing only keeps a man from Heaven. Ask a living God? He is your preacher teacher. 3 preachers eligible for Heaven out of 5 million people. 1 woman in Heaven for every 2000 men. A lying church. In a dream, women wearing pants begin growing mustaches as they ask me to dance. In a dream I tried to approve a lady wearing pants for unemployment benefits The Lord rejected the claim. Another dream only 1-3 souls out of the entire world go to Heaven. Read Matthew 24:36-37.
Comment by Colin Ross on September 16, 2024 at 10:38 pm
There’s nothing united about the Methodist now. Just boomers arguing about gay marriage
Comment by Kristy L Ortt on September 17, 2024 at 9:15 pm
This is happening in my church that I have gone to for 50 years. Yes the building is just as much part of My Church as the people. The people that left our church had gone there all of their life. Deeply heart broken over the whole situation. My Church has not closed yet. We are looking at options . Praying for you and so many others .
Comment by Andy Nichols on September 18, 2024 at 1:24 pm
The article was spot on, touching, and says so much about the human condition and teh loss of these community gather spaces. Yes, we are losing those places where we gathered together and learned to get along and treat each other with respect. Places of connection, belonging, understanding, and places where we mark periods of our lives, celebrations and loss of loved ones.
The UMC has been declining since its creation in 1968-69(?). And, this is happening across all denominations (and those of gen X and younger who think they are special by going to a non-denomination church – you are just 10 years behind so enjoy your extra time).
Yes, you will get bumps up in attendance with a church here or there – but it only works for that generation at that church, but boy it can sure make you feel smug!! “We have the answer!!”. 10 years from now that church will be declining as the cult of personality built up around a specific popular pastor fades upon their retirement, or life changes whittles down the number of attendees in your house church until it loses cohesion.
Its all about birthrates and attendance. The recent changes at the UMC sped up the death of some churches as the congregation splits and in the process loses critical mass as some scurry to their “shopping mall” rental space church, but the data has been clear for years, even in the southern part of the USA, those churches were failing – this just sped it up.
And, the South has more emphasis placed on church attendance – which gives it more time than the North, but with everybody moving all over – that cultural hallmark is withering. I know plenty of people down south (Texas) who consider themselves Jesus-y people in the South, but they no longer attend church. Maybe an online bible study once a week, but that is not enough to keep churches going. And to those who wring their hands about “preserving church buildings” – Europe is filled with plenty of cathedrals to tour – your church is only special to you – and if you are not coughing up the money to keep it going – expecting others to is misplaced. When my church faced the sad reality that our building was too expensive to continue – we had lots of community members fretting about the loss of the unique building, but they hadn’t ever stepped inside to participate or give money, they just complain.
If your church doesn’t have 100 kids in its programs, you are slowly going extinct (as maybe 5 of those children will continue in that denomination as adults). We are in the middle of the great die-off (last of the greatest Generation and the beginning death of early Boomers) that will end the Episcopalians, the Presbyterians are right behind, then the Lutherans, and causing the bureaucracy that is the UMC to be forced to re-structure as it looses critical mass, it will be dead in the north in 10 years (maybe 5, I have been truly stunned at the acceleration of not attending church COVID efforts caused – I think people realized that if it couldn’t help during that time period – why come back? ), maybe 20 in the South. People will say, “no, we will have a “presence” still” – but it will be empty rooms supported by what remains of property value sell offs. For years the UMC (and all denoms) have stopped counting baptisms, “saving” people/conversations, and butts in pews as the only valid show of health – because they knew it would show the unstoppable decline – but that IS the only way to determine longevity.
The Evangelicals are just beginning their self-exploration of systemic poor behavior the mainlines did the last 30 years, and they are behind in their decline because they got the bulk of the GenX age group – but their younger generations are demanding accountability of their leaders as they leave, so their decline, while starting later than the mainlines, is accelerating .
So you can say you have the “real truth” by going orthodox or going “Jews for Jesus” flavors, or quoting scripture or old words like its a magic a spell (all found in comments above) but it is all fading long-term – so sure, find your group of people to support one another, but your kids aren’t staying in that church into adulthood at a high enough rate.
Congregations hire “church planters” and “worship revitalizers” but youtube and online church is the great magnifying glass into most churches now – the results are not there and can easily be tracked. I just watch the service that month that has communion and count the real in-person attendance. All attendance figures are hugely inflated in reporting. And, online communities may give you the feeling of participating, but you are not really part of the community – its fake – like all social media and how many “friends” you have – it doesn’t create an in-person sustainable community. Most online participants don’t tithe or donate at the rate of in-person.
I researched the utter rapid and quick decline of the UMC the last 10 years in the northwest – almost ALL church plants fail within a year of the original planter leaving, and I mean 99% fail. There is one – and it is being kept alive by the sale of other UMC church building and land in Seattle. Yet those pastors “experienced in church planting” are woo-ed for their experience church planting but no one ever looks back at their earlier results. The same with all the people selling “revitalization” tools for congregation. Look at the results – any bumps up in attendance – they are short lived in every case.
If you have a church, GO to the church and participate. Take advantage of that blessed community and support it with more than your money (but that is needed too). Because they will all be gone in a few more generations. I’m the youngest in just about any church I go and I’m 55. There are often a few younger families, but not enough to maintain cohesiveness after the great die-off we are currently in (most people volunteering and running committees in churches are over 65, but now we have not enough people to replace those old people to be able to run the church. And, that was not the case in the 1980s. In my large church then, all those positions were held by parents of working age, not retirees. Those parents in the 80s are now the ones dying off as they are the ones still running those committees.
Younger generations are more stressed out and unhappy, our behavior with one another is frightening, just watch ANY political rally. I always thought those 80’s sci fi movies about the decline of civilization were fiction but we seems bent on making them a reality. I look forward to Skynet, if only so I can say “Told you so” lol
Comment by Randy on September 18, 2024 at 3:03 pm
Losing a community to church closure is more emotionally devastating than people who haven’t gone through it realize.
Our small, inner-city UM church in Nashville was closed by the conference in 2017. It had been in that spot for 130 years and still provided vital ministries to the homeless and hungry. It had been our church home for 30 years. My children were baptized there.
What made it especially hard was that, in the 7 months between the time we received the news and the congregation formally ended, we had no home. They shut the building and asked us to worship at another church 2 miles away, where our pastor also was appointed. They just assumed everyone would migrate down there and join. The district superintendent would not entertain our ideas to take sale proceeds from our building and let us replant the congregation in a rented space, such as a school. So we had no opportunity as our own community to grieve together or even worship together in our building until a closing service months later. We got no guidance from the conference about how to wind down our affairs or assistance in finding new church homes. We felt like we didn’t matter. All that mattered was the value of our property, which fetched $1.6 million (and might get 50% more today). At least the new owner saved and restored the historic building, which is now a wedding venue and a restaurant.
I took a break from church for the next year and a half. The pain of being treated as we were kept me away, and I despaired of ever finding another church so committed to urban ministry. Finally, I found a wonderful community at a historic UM church downtown, where one of my fellow parishioners from the old church had settled. My wife joined about 6 months later. We are grateful for this congregation, but the painful feelings return every time I think about how we were shut down do gracelessly.
Comment by MikeB on September 21, 2024 at 5:48 pm
Andy Nichols
Wow, fantastic data and summary.
Appreciate the well written insight