Letter to the congregation that opened the conversation about closing

I sent this letter to the congregation the day after the council meeting where the council voted to approach the congregation with the options of closing or redevelopment. This was the first time that many people in the congregation even thought about this possibility and I realized that my words in the letter had to crafted carefully. This is what I sent.  

(I am jumping around a little bit - to fill in gaps)

August 16, 2011

“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it’”

Matthew 16:24-25

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

            I write to you today with a discerning heart. Last night was the monthly council meeting and I would like to share with you what was discussed at the meeting. In the Gospel text above Jesus is telling his disciples they have to take up their cross in order to follow Him and that the burden of taking up a cross is that things have to change. One must lose their old and current life in order to find new life. This is what the council discussed last night.

            Over the last month the Turnaround Team (Koinonia Team) has worked through many future possibilities for the congregation. Prayer and conversations with the synod, mentors, and consultants lead the team to present two options of future ministry to the council last night. The two options are: closing the congregation or redevelopment through the Metro Chicago Synod.

            This decision was not come to lightly nor is it one that the Turnaround Team or Council are happy about – however, we do recognize it is time to have this discussion. We discussed all the great steps forward we as a congregation have taken over the last year and a half, like expanding the food pantry, starting a Sunday School, revamping a website and a newsletter, a successful congregation retreat and many more. However, we also had to talk about the realities that are hindering spreading the good news like, our average attendance is in decline, member involvement in new ministry endeavors is low, the Revitalization Fund is dwindling with maybe a year of survival funds left and not much available for outreach.

            After much discussion and prayer last night at the Council meeting it was decided that the Council will approach the congregation with the two options. The Council would like to hear your thoughts and how you are feeling. There will be two opportunities to hear more about both options: closing or redevelopment, after church on Sunday, the 21^st, and next Sunday, the 28^th. There are details about both options that we would like to share with you and explain both of them, especially what redevelopment is and why it is an option for us. We are asking that you pray and ask God for guidance as to which option Our Lutheran Church is being lead toward.

            I am aware that this might be a shock to some people and an expected reality for others. I pray that we as a congregation can see the possibilities for new life in this situation and that we can be a place of support and comfort in the months to come as we begin discussions and eventually voting on our future. And, of course, celebrating 80 years of ministry!

            My prayer is that we, the disciples of Our Lutheran Church, be courageous, faithful people who choose to take seriously what it means to deny ourselves, to take up our cross, and to lose our lives for the sake of Jesus and the gospel. I pray that we know and trust the proclamation of Christ crucified as the power and wisdom of God that brings life out of death.

Your Pastor,

Pr. Meagan