One of the largest charitable foundations in the world announced that it will end its operations in 2045. The Gates Foundation says that it will have distributed all of its funds by that date, and then will close its doors for the last time.
The National Council of Churches estimates that, in the U.S. alone, 100,000 churches will be closed over the next several years — an estimated one-quarter of those in operation. In Canada, an estimated 9,000 churches will close in the next decase, according to a report from the the National Trust of Canada. (Note: The CRCNA is not a member of the NCC)
We don't like talking about the end, but what if we consider "what's next" instead?
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"After 8 years in operation we're closing our doors."
"J" the executive director explained to me that the organization would be ending its work in the community and that she needed to figure out what they were going to do with the building they owned and the cars that the organization used.
It was 2004 and the community organization I volunteered with was in the end-stages of it's operational life. It was a difficult time as the organization held a particularly important role in our community. It was especially tough as this was the only organization of this type in the USA.
As the organization was dissolved, the vans were given away to another local charity and the property was sold. The money was given to another local organization that worked with a similar population. The impact of this organization continued long after it was gone.
In 2012, I witnessed another dissolution- this time much messier. A church that I attended was falling apart after some leadership challenges. Because the church had not put an estate plan together - the fate of a particular piece of valuable real estate was left to an elder who had caused the conflict in the church. The funds from that sale could have been used to fund other ministries and causes the congregation cared about- instead, the funds were used in a way that was not in alignment with the beliefs and passions of the congregation.
Recently I've heard of a church that, upon dissolving gave it's building to a younger congregation for the nominal amount of $1 - very benevolent but maybe not the perfect scenario.
Here's a few things to consider:
- What causes do we care about?
- What debts do we have?
- Who should oversee any transitions in the life of our organization?
- What are the needs in our community?
- What DONT we want to happen?
- What will be our legacy?
There are 2 churches I know near me that need estate plans immediately, and 2 other young churches that could be transformed and take on the legacy of the first 2.
Will the legacy of your church live on long after it's gone?
Comments
Beyond property and financial assets, how can churches intentionally pass on less tangible aspects of their legacy, like their theological distinctives, community relationships, and cultural identity, to future ministries or organizations?
Slope Game
That's a good question Anna, Maybe someone else can chip in here, but it seems like that takes effort and intentionality. Though an organization may sunset, most of the time, the people from that organization are still in their communities. I think that the legacy lives on with them in that way.
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