(A recent post indicating "157 vacant churches" prompted me to submit the following)
Having spent 55+years doing pastoral ministry in the Christian Reformed Church, I’ve come to the conclusion that our denomination is in need of effective, pastoral interim church hospice pastors. Having served a wide variety of churches, I’ve also attempted to be an interested and involved “churchman.” As someone having served decades as Synodical Deputy and a frequent delegate to Synod, I also always bought the latest YEARBOOK until the CRCNA’s website “took over.” As such, I’ve come to draw some observations and conclusions.
Meandering as possible on the noted website, I’ve drawn an inevitable and now the openly-stated conclusion indicated in my heading. We need Church-Hospice Pastors. (CHP’s) The CRCNA has an over-supply of churches/worshiping bodies needing healthy closures. Simply “negotiating links” on the Yearbook website from classis to classis, church to church, I noted the frequency or number of churches that, from my experience, have fewer than ten families tithing to maintain their building and support in any honorable way a full-time pastor. I am not aware that recent attempts to approve and expand Tent-making Ministry may have blossomed. The reduced size of these churches or worshiping bodies made me uncomfortable about the disconcerting thought of “their” pastor necessarily being supported by a few “deeper” pockets with the expected and ever-undefined and possibly unhealthy relationships necessitated.
Someone may have actual figures as to how many “churches” have fewer than 30-60 at worship, but my being interested meandering concluded: Too many! If such were church plants growing healthily, I rejoice, but if/when they’re historic or seasoned congregations/groups “just holding on” that description can hardly be healthy, encouraging or inviting to those seeking a vibrant, healthy Christian fellowship. When there’s no need or any desire for a “Children’s Message,” are we healthy, reflecting our community? When members insist on sitting “where we’ve always sat” and singing becomes almost embarrassing, even with the familiar hymns, are we deluding or maybe even embarrassing ourselves? Would not their seasoned wisdom be better utilized and appreciated as part of a group of new believers learning what it means to be “church.”
Hospice pastors are a God-given gift of ministry to members whose health is declining and their journey “home” is imminent. As such, these pastors comfort and encourage, making the closing journey more meaningful, gently affirming the life lived along with the meaningful ministry and cherished memories of the patient or parishioner. “Dying” churches on what appears as life support need a similar, much-needed pastoral ministry. All pastors are not necessarily particularly gifted to be hospice pastors. There are appreciated pastors who are not gifted or even willing to help churches conclude or close their ministry pastorally and meaningfully.
As fellow followers of Jesus, we owe the members of these churches a pastoral, sensitive conclusion reflecting a meaningful celebration of their contribution to Christ’s Church, including the CRC ones we love and loved. A tears-falling and memory-filled look reflecting makes more sense than closing one’s eyes to an obvious and painful reality. An appreciative acknowledgement and an appropriate celebration of lifetimes of ministry are needed as expressions of love, and as such would be gratefully appreciated. Denial and inappropriate delay have never served anyone well. By our being loving and compassionate, we implement what our frequently-used at life’s ending doxology states, “To God Be the Glory.”
George Vink
Comments
I walked through the process of closing a church I was serving in Texas in 1986. The process was incredibly painful. This was a Home Missions congregation, and it was the regional Home Missionary that helped me understand that sometimes it is good to celebrate the ministry of a congregation and terminate the ministry. Once we voted to close, there were some members who never attended again-- it was just too painful. Congregations don't need help closing once they have made the decision. In fact, I would suggest the sooner the better once the decision is made to minimize the agony. What congregations need is assistance in deciding to close-- perhaps permission? In more established churches there are often elderly people whose hope is to be buried from "their" church. I will say the process of closing a church is incredibly painful and we need as much assistance from the denomination in closing a church as we had in starting one. I have never seen a prayer request from Home Missions (now Resonate) for a congregation that is closing.
In my experience the Christian Reformed Church has an incredible resource it rarely taps: its chaplains. A chaplain, especially a board certified chaplain, would be an ideal candidate for a church hospice pastor, as describe above by George Vink. Board certified chaplains have extensive training beyond the prescribed MDiv and ordination that most congregational pastors have; it is akin to having an additional master's degree in pastoral/spiritual care.
Chaplains have been trained to walk with people through life's difficult journeys, remaining present to the pain and struggle while providing perspective and reflective experiences. Chaplains think critically about what they experience with their care recipients, assess needs and develop next steps to promote healing, based in our faith.
Additionally, they are keenly aware of how the struggles of others may "trigger" their own selves, and they take great care to set that aside for a time. This provides a healing context where authentic ministry to the care recipient(s) is paramount. Astute chaplains tend the their own care, remaining presence to those for whom they minister.
Lastly, CRCNA chaplains are steeped in our treasured Reformed tradition and minster to glorified our God, even in the heartaches of life and church life. If your dying congregation needs a church hospice pastor for guidance, healing, encouragement, inquire about who your nearest chaplain is.
Tricia Bosma, MDiv, BCC
Thanks for your article, George. It might interest you to know about a gathering recently hosted by Thrive. We called it the "Shepherding Vulnerable Churches Pastors' Gathering", and invited pastors who had served churches that had closed within the past five years or that had experienced decline recently. We learned that being such a pastor can be very lonely, among other things. We also learned the value of being well-differentiated as a pastor-- to have a full and firm grasp of their inner convictions, shaped by the gospel, so that the decisions they make, the sermons they preach, and the guidance they provide are shaped by those inner convictions rather than by the expectations of others, the urgency of the moment, or the pressure to be the church's messiah. You can remain connected to people but differentiated from their hopes, dreams, and perspectives. Very difficult, especially in the kind of environment that Douglas Vrieland is describing. But so important! Chaplains, as Tricia Bosma notes, have special training that often includes this kind of work.
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