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 Legit question about closing churches |
oldschooler |
Can someone explain the benefits of closing a church only to reopen it as a church plant other than:
1. Securing “church planting†funds for the briefly closed church?
2. Looking like a new church has been planted in a state or region?
Seems to be a practice I’ve seen a few times. |
Friendly Face
Posts: 280
2/17/18 9:47 pm
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Cojak |
Hey oldschooler (Lots of us around, LOL) Welcome aboard, I don't think I said that yet.??? (I'm just old)
It always seems like semantics to me, not sure that is the best word, but I have seen some successful 'closing and reopening under a new name', and others that was just a waste of time, effort and money.
I don't know actually what determines the success or failure, but I honestly think it is the Pastor. We used to be afraid of churches that were built around a pastor that is one reason pastors were moved every few years. in this day with transportation no problem MOST churches are formed around the pastor. Some men's personality along with a desire to teach and preach God's word draws seekers.
Anyway, I am not sure there is a good answer to the question, but it is definitely a discussion point!
Sorta like our present church, we recently changed pastors and we will loose 10-15 people who 'like the pastor across town' better than the new guy. I can't fault them for it, that is the way it seems to roll in today's world. The dedication is to a pastor, not the local church! 
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jacsher@aol.com
http://shipslog-jack.blogspot.com/ |
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Posts: 24275
2/17/18 10:08 pm
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| If a church is losing members |
brotherjames |
| Is unable to consistently pay its bills and is stuck in the fifties (which related to the first 2 items), Is unable to attract new people then it probably should be shut down. Or at the very least revitalized with new pastor, new name, new place, new vision, new style and underwritten for a couple of years as a new church plant. Think of it as "under new management like a business. I know a church isn't a business if course. |
Acts-celerater
Posts: 935
2/18/18 7:56 am
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| My opinion |
roughridercog |
There are reasons for a church closing.
If it is unable to support itself and funds have been habitally used to bail it out. Close it and perhaps do a relaunch in the area with a change indentity.
Another sad reason is if a state is cannibalizing churches to pay state expenses.
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Doctor of Bovinamodulation |
Acts Mod
Posts: 25306
2/18/18 9:48 am
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| Another reason... |
Aaron Scott |
Beyond whether it obtains church plant monies or is even noted as a new church plant, there can be value in terms of "relaunching" a church. Sometimes, a church needs to change, but unless it appears to have closed and opened up "under new management," so to speak, it cannot effect the needed transformation.
Maybe the very same people will still be there, but it can appear like something new is going on for the community. Yes, they know it's still on the same property, may even look the same (although it would be hoped to have some sort of upgraded appearance), but because there is activity going on there, they can give it a chance.
Also, if You'n Go To Hell If You'n Cutcher Hair Church of God has a certain sort of reputation in the community, a relaunch (again, regardless of whether funds are received or it is counted as a new church) under a new name, etc., might make people who are on their way to hell for cutting their hair decide to try it out.
Also, there is something about a place that seems "new," even if it has been there a while.
Just my two cents. |
Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology
Posts: 6032
2/18/18 2:34 pm
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cogvegan |
Could it be because the church can't keep a pastor? Or it's not sustaining itself?
I have to admit that I'm not too much of a fan of relaunching a church by changing the name. Especially, these new corny names. Most of the time the name is a far cry from the church. It seems like a fad more than anything. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's just the way I feel about these new names.
There seems to be a lot of closed churches in the area that I live in and nothing new starting up. Geographically, it really stinks if you live east of I-95. Most the churches are west.
Anyway, sorry I was just rambling... |
Member
Posts: 30
2/18/18 3:45 pm
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Brandon Bowers |
Fire breeds new vegetation -- life...
Sometimes, you just have to let something die before you can bring new life..
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My Facebook www.facebook.com/theB3 |
Golf Cart Mafia Capo Famiglia
Posts: 4804
2/18/18 6:54 pm
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Da Sheik |
Locations get a stigma. You can change the name of a facility but it will still carry the stigma of the past. You see the same thing with restaurants or small businesses that try to make a go of it in an old facility that has failed in the past.
There are legitimate reasons for a church to close. In my experience, re-launching said church in the same location with a different name will yield similar results as the previous church. |
Acts Enthusiast
Posts: 1860
2/18/18 10:51 pm
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Cojak |
| Brandon Bowers wrote: | Fire breeds new vegetation -- life...
Sometimes, you just have to let something die before you can bring new life.. |
True dat.
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Some facts but mostly just my opinion!
jacsher@aol.com
http://shipslog-jack.blogspot.com/ |
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2/18/18 11:23 pm
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Cojak |
| Da Sheik wrote: | Locations get a stigma. You can change the name of a facility but it will still carry the stigma of the past. You see the same thing with restaurants or small businesses that try to make a go of it in an old facility that has failed in the past.
There are legitimate reasons for a church to close. In my experience, re-launching said church in the same location with a different name will yield similar results as the previous church. |
Highlighted area is very true. 
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Some facts but mostly just my opinion!
jacsher@aol.com
http://shipslog-jack.blogspot.com/ |
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Posts: 24275
2/18/18 11:27 pm
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oldschooler |
Enjoying reading the responses. Da Shiek, I couldn’t agree with you more. A trend that I have noticed has been more than “relaunching†churches (which has a lot of merit)... but states calling a relaunch a “church plantâ€. The term “church plant†looks much more appealing to Cleveland than a “relaunchâ€. There’s monies available.... and, state offices appear to be planting new congregations, when they are merely building upon the work of others. It seems a bit self-serving. Then again.... I’m an oldschooler  |
Friendly Face
Posts: 280
2/18/18 11:30 pm
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UncleJD |
| Brandon Bowers wrote: | Fire breeds new vegetation -- life...
Sometimes, you just have to let something die before you can bring new life.. |
Is that why so many reopen with the name "New Life ....." ?  |
Golf Cart Mafia Consigliere
Posts: 3138
2/19/18 11:31 am
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diakoneo |
| UncleJD wrote: | | Brandon Bowers wrote: | Fire breeds new vegetation -- life...
Sometimes, you just have to let something die before you can bring new life.. |
Is that why so many reopen with the name "New Life ....." ? |
Would that be New Life Pointe???  |
Golf Cart Mafia Consigliere
Posts: 3382
2/19/18 11:29 pm
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wayne |
| Brandon Bowers wrote: | Fire breeds new vegetation -- life...
Sometimes, you just have to let something die before you can bring new life.. |
Churches get stuck in a rut and sometimes it's the fault of the Pastor and sometimes it's the fault of the people.
In KY, we have watched Bishop Rabon do this a couple times. An unhealthy church, one that is on deaths door is ripe for a re-plant. Merge it with a new pastor/congregation and give it a shot.
In my opinion this is a win win for the new church and the community. The new Pastor/Church needs a place to worship and the community needs a church. With that said, if the same pastor and the same congregation is trying to do a re-launch  that won't work. |
Acts Enthusiast
Posts: 1274
2/20/18 8:22 am
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