A while back I came across a story about a church in New York that was closing its doors after decades of services. I was expecting to hear about the decline of the church in general but was surprised by what I read. Rather than just shut the doors and walk away in defeat, the board decided to have a funeral. They sent out a call to all the former attendees and those that the church had touched to come for a weekend celebration. They had already decided to divide up the church’s assets among eleven other churches in the neighbourhood and wanted to have one final outreach into the community. 20,000 people showed up for the weekend funeral.This church started up many churches, brought many into the kingdom of God, and impacted many communities for Jesus. God started to speak to me about the influence rather than the demise of this church. There are seasons in all our lives even in the life of a church. The church age had a beginning and it will have an end; likewise every church congregation. It is the Kingdom that has no end. Like individuals, churches have destinies and purpose. Those purposes, when fulfilled, may shift or they may die but the seeds sown will continue to grow. Death, because of the fall, is a part of life. In fact death is necessary for life to continue. John 12:24 – Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. Though this church died, its influence did not. It was no longer relevant to the community due to its location. Are you dying to a season in your life? Though you may morn the loss, rejoice at the new season that is coming. Have friends and situations disappeared? Let God bring new life and hope into your heart. We are all part of God’s family but – 1Cor 6:19,20 -“you are not your own, for you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” If God calls your friends to another field, even if it is just next door, don’t just morn the loss, rejoice in their rebirth and the expectation of the same in your life. God allowed persecution to come to the church in the early days – Acts 8:1 – “At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria” . They were sent to evangelize the world though at the time I don’t think they felt very happy about the assignment. When we are in an army and we may be deployed to many different fronts to do battle. Don’t feel abandoned. When the war is over, we will all rejoice at the victory party. Its not about being in one place; its about being in one body and serving one Lord, no matter where we are called. Our responsibility is to hear that call for ourselves. Love Ken & Jeanne
