The Bearer of (Good) News that’s Hard to Hear

A big part of my ministry involves sharing news that’s hard to hear. Maybe it’s good news that sounds like bad news or maybe it’s just bad news, but it’s all hard to hear:

• It sounds like this isn’t a good time for you to serve on this committee (because you are too busy/sick/overwhelmed.)
• You will have to step away from this position (because of your sexual/financial/bullying misconduct.)
• It’s not healthy for you to continue to serve all these decades (as the volunteer Treasurer/Clerk of Session/Christian Education Chairperson/Director of the Children’s Choir.) I know you love it, but it’s possible that your generous service is keeping the church stuck.

Ouch.

One of the most difficult hard news for people to hear is this: Your congregation has a rich history of caring for each other for a long time. But you’ve reached a point where your church cannot recover from its current situation. Your choices are to either 1) call a part time pastor to help discern next steps, 2) merge or partner with another church, or 3) bring your current ministry to an end.

Denial is the usual response.

• “Maybe we can call a dynamic pastor who can bring in young families.” (My immediate reaction in my head: kill me now.) This will not work because 1) you cannot afford a dynamic pastor and 2) “bring in young families” is code for “new people who will pledge money and assume all committee responsibilities whose children all look like the children who were here 50 years ago.” If young families haven’t joined you in 10+ years, why would they join now?
• “What if we paint the front door red?” This response is more prevalent than you might expect. Also: nobody joins a church because of the color of the front door.
• “We aren’t going anywhere because we still have $80k in assets. We’ll be here until the last person turns off the lights.” That’s a choice. It’s not good stewardship, but it’s a choice.
• Nobody says it out loud, but it’s understood: “We aren’t going to change a thing.” This is a decision to close.

Again, sometimes the worst news can result in the best news. Consider what Jesus said to his followers:

I must go to Jerusalem (where I’m a wanted man.)

I must suffer (at the hands of religious leaders.)

I must be killed (not just die, but be killed.)

And then since those first three statements are rather disturbing, we don’t hear the last one: be raised on the third day.

When Jesus said these words – or a variation of these words – to his disciples they responded this way:

• They were too afraid to respond (Mark 9:32) and somebody changed the subject.
• They refuted Jesus (Matthew 16:22) and it didn’t go well.

Even when a church merges or closes, there is ultimately resurrection in the form of new ministries made possible. Jesus’ legacy was not his crucifixion; it was new life, grace, forgiveness, salvation, healing, a Church that no one could have imagined. Churches hearing the hard news about their situation are understandably upset and grieving, and yet good news is possible. The legacy could be something life-giving if they are faithful.

A big part of my ministry involves sharing hard news. I’m sorry and I’m not sorry. I’ve learned over the years (my 41st ordiversary is tomorrow) that God can use everything – even death – for unexpected good.