1. Pray – Pray-Pray – Be open and trusting in God. Don’t be limited to your ideas and agendas but really listen and look to where God is leading you.
  2. Don’t wait until you are burned out. It’s hard to feel energized in the name of the Lord, when you’re doing all the work. The theme “better together” can bring new life when you join others working for the same goal.
  3. Don’t get caught up in the past. Recognize the signs of decline in your church. Your church building, as beautiful and comforting as it may be, could be holding you back from seeking growth in today’s community involvement.
  4. It is okay to disagree – Disagreement can be healthy; talk and listen in a kind and respectful manner, get outside help and pray together. Don’t force the issues but allow time for members to understand and adjust to changes that are being discussed. Take the time needed but continue to move forward, it feels good to be accomplishing new pathways to God.
  5. Be honest about your thoughts and feelings – Don’t feel your church has “failed” but has seen the “light” in forging into a new direction. Grief is part of the process; work through it together as a “family” in Christ.
  6. Be “resourceful” – check out what other churches have already done in ways of combining churches, denominations, pastoral coverage and the processes they have worked through. Contacting these churches can be a big help in finding your direction and encourage you to believe that there are solutions that can really work.
  7. Be open and communicative with the congregation – remember you as the consistory have an obligation to them but you can’t please everyone.
  8. Pray – Pray-Pray – Be open and trusting in God. Don’t be limited to your ideas and agendas but really listen and look to where God is leading you.

Rev. William Worley
February 2017