Look to the wisdom of others who have faithfully found their way, learn from all, and mimic no one.
SNEUCC Church Legacy Specialist, Charlie Kuchenbrod, posted a series of articles in late 2023 to describe five pathways for churches experiencing steady decline. Broadly speaking thei paths are as follows:
- Revitalization
- Transformation,
- Legacy building and ministry completion
- Collaboration
- Do Nothing/“road closed ahead.”
We have organized the information on this page around these paths and added links to additional resources, references, and examples of congregations pursing each path.
Which Path Are You On?
The first in a 5-part series articles describing possible paths congregations may explore as they face the shifting context and challenges of ministry today.
Charlie Kuchenbrod has served the Southern New England Conference and prior to that the historic Connecticut Conference for nearly 19 years. He offers a wealth of experience and insights and is available to churches who require support with navigating Legacy. Find more resources at www.sneucc.org/legacy
Revitalization
Which Path Are You On? Part 2 by Charlie Kuchenbrod
Transformation
Which Path Are You On? Part 3 by Charlie Kuchenbrod
United Congregational Church Bridgeport
March 2024 SNEUCC Lunch and Learn
Rev. Sara D. Smith, Esq., Senior Minister of the United Congregational Church of Bridgeport, CT., tells the story of the revitalization of the oldest church in this nitty-gritty city through creation of a food-centered, volunteer-powered and community-anchored, non-profit, nOURish BRIDGEPORT, Inc.
You can read a brief summary of key points here: Summary- Rumors of Our Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
Legacy Building & Ministry Completion
Which Path Are You On? Part 4 by Charlie Kuchenbrod
United Congregational Church Worcester
April 2024 SNEUCC Lunch and Learn
Rev. Brae Adams who currently serves as the settled pastor at United Congregational Church in Worcester discusses how United made the decision to give away their building to resurrect their church community.
You can read a brief summary of key points here: Summary – Losing our Church Finding our Soul summary
Collaboration
Which Path Are You On? Part 5 by Charlie Kuchenbrod
There are many ways that congregations may choose to collaborate, including consolidation, merger, yoking, nesting, transplanting, or adoption. Sometime collaboration that takes one form in the beginning leads to a different form over time.
a. Consolidate
Collaboration that takes the form of consolidation are typified by the following characteristics and considerations:
- 2 or more churches sell their buildings
- Change their leadership
- New location
- New sense of ministry
- New church name.
- This could be a revitalization strategy or a transformation strategy.
b. Merge or Unite
Collaboration that takes the form of merging or uniting are typified by the following characteristics and considerations:
- 2 or more (relatively equal) churches
- Move together
- Existing buildings
- Shared resources
- This can be for revitalization or transformation.
First and South Congregational Churches Granby
July 2022 SNEUCC article
“Unlike the phoenix, a mythological bird that could regenerate after it died and rise from its ashes, there was no death involved in the formation of a new church in Granby, CT. It was a mutual decision to re-unite and re-ignite.”
You can read the article here.
c. Yoke
Collaboration that takes the form of Yoking are typified by the following characteristics and considerations:
- 2 or more congregations
- Remain in their existing buildings and ministries share one pastor for both congregations.
- May lead to consolidation or merger
d. Nest
Collaboration that takes the form of Nesting are typified by the following characteristics and considerations:
- Church property is sold
- Congregation meets in the facilities of a host church.
- This is a transformation or legacy strategy.
e. Transplant
Collaboration that takes the form of Transplanting are typified by the following characteristics and considerations:
- Assets are transferred to a vital church;
- Members transfer to that church.
- This is a legacy strategy.
f. Adopt
Collaboration that takes the form of Adopting are typified by the following characteristics and considerations:
- Smaller congregation becomes a satellite or branch of a larger, healthier church.
- Maintains its building and presence in the community.
Weston and Wellsley Churches
April 2024 SNEUCC News article
The article covers creative partnerships, merger, and rethinking/repurposing facilities.”
You can read the article here, and a summary here: Summary of April 2024 SNEUCC Article – Weston and Wellesley Churches Both Swiped Right
Do Nothing, i.e., "Road Closed Ahead."
An option of course is to do nothing or to continue doing what we have been doing without addressing the changes in society and the trends within our congregation. Congregations that have waited too long have found themselves in a difficult situation with too few congregants and too few resources to address the ongoing and operational needs or to plan a fitting legacy for the resources of the community.
Pilgrim Memorial Church in Pittsfield, MA
February 2024 SNEUCC News article
The article presents the challenges of indecision, denial, and waiting too long to address changes in the community, context, and congregation.
You can read the article here.
What are local UCC churches doing?
Insights from Churches Growing Together workshop held at FCCW February 24, 2024
In October 2023, our Governing Board invited our Area Conference Minister, Rev. Carol Steinbrecher, into a conversation as we wondered about the possibilities for the future of our ministry. This conversation became the catalyst for the “Churches Growing Together” gathering, which we hosted in February of 2024.
The first part of the presentation, The Changing Landscape, can be found on our “Finding Out Why? and Why Now?” page. Here we share the second part of her presentation, related to “What are Some Churches Doing” and “Exploring Possibilities Together.”
What are small churches doing?
Read the Article here => 5 Ways Forward for Very Small Congregations
Key Points:
Attendance at 70% of U.S. churches is <100
Median attendance for UCC congregations is 30
There is hope and unique gifts of smaller congregations: Find them, Focus on them, Celebrate them!
How might we proceed?
In the paper linked below, the UCC Office for Church Life and Leadership outlines models, processes, and considerations for congregations wishing to explore various forms of cooperative ministry.
Although the article dates from 1995 and the terminology differs slightly, there are many helpful considerations to be explored.
You can read the article on the UCC’s Website here: https://www.ucc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/getting-together.pdf
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