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    Tiny Church Fights Closure With Denomination

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    Tiny Church Fights Closure With Denomination

    From the San Francisco Chronicle:

    Facing the threatened closure of their small church near Twin Peaks, a small group of Calvinists vowed Sunday to continue fighting for survival despite a recent court ruling that barred them from breaking away from their denomination.

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    1. David Buckham on Wed, September 30, 2009

      Maybe it’s my own personal bent (I am in a minister at an independent Christian Church), but I seem to always side with the church over the denomination.  While there are some good things that come with denominations, there are also some bad things.  I have to side with the church in this instance. 

      The same thing happened/is happening with a small church, about the same size, in our town.  The denomination is taking/trying to take a church building from a group that financially supports the denomination (AME) yet has never taken a dime from the denomination for anything, not even their building.  The denomination has only ever sent them bi-vocational ministers (whom the church pays financially).  Their battle was/is in court now.  Appeals make everything so “fun.”

      It makes me ask the question “Jesus who?”

      all about Christ,
      David Buckham

    2. Peter Hamm on Wed, September 30, 2009

      In my experience, however, small churches such as this are often “dying”. There are no new people, no culture that welcomes new people, and no evangelistic efforts whatsoever.

      If this were the case, I’d be on the side of the denom.

    3. Jamie on Wed, September 30, 2009

      I hope the denominational officials evaluated over a long period of time the congregations willingness and ability to fulfill the Great Commission. If the church was busy trying to be a club for insiders instead of the Body of Christ committed to making more and better disciples of Jesus Christ, then the denomination had a legitimate reason, even a responsibility, to use the resource of the property to start new congregations in other locations with the $3-4 million that could be generated from such a sale. Maybe they were quite willing, but unable to figure out new ways to fulfill the Great Commission? Other questions that are important: How long has the church been in decline and what were they doing about it? Could they actually afford the ministry they were offering? Was the denomination helping them out financially for any period of time? Are other churches in the area growing or are they all floundering and in the process of dying? I do suspect the denominational officials explored many other options with the congregation (if this was not done it was wrong!) before it came to this.

    4. David Buckham on Wed, September 30, 2009

      Pete,

      You would think the denom would try a new pastor maybe?  I am not sure how the Reformed Church of America operates though.

      Is this a recognizable case of churcinasia…a mercy killing?  Or is this churchicide…for the money?

      As far as what the article says, I am still leaning towards the church, however Peter, your points would definitely validate the Denom’s decision with me…not that my opinion really matters to them.

      all about Christ,
      David Buckham

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