Yesterday, Mike Berry and I had the opportunity to meet with two leaders from the Chicago area Reformed Churches of America (RCA). These men are responsible for determining what to do with churches within the denomination that are struggling to remain open.
Our hope in the meeting was to build a relational bridge to the denominational leaders. As regular readers know, I've written often about dechurchification on this blog--the closing down and selling of church property to non-church entities. We'd like to talk with leaders before they make decisions about church property to help provide options for them other than selling to a real estate developer.
The best case scenario would be that the denomination can restart their struggling churches. If that can't happen, our hope is to be a resource for keeping that property in the hands of a gospel-preaching church. Buildings are a stewardship and a resource.
Here are some thoughts from Tim Keller, one of my pastor heroes, on the value of a building...
Oh, good, you're familiar with him. The first time I listened to one of his talks and then looked at their website, I was ready to pack my bags and head for NY.
Posted by: Mo | April 23, 2008 at 09:03 AM
Tim Keller is the guy everyone (including me) wishes was their pastor. He's old enough to be my grandpa yet totally plugged in to what is happening today, he loves cities, is scary smart, passionate for God and an incredible and humble teacher. I hope I can be a little bit like him when I grow up.
Posted by: Kevin | April 23, 2008 at 09:11 AM