Reflections:
By Larry Hovis CBFNC Executive Coordinator
The Seasons of a Church W
hile on a summer bike ride, I took a route I hadn’t ridden in many months. I was surprised to come upon a church whose main sign was covered by black plastic. There was a “For Sale” sign on the lawn. Curious, I rode around the building. Sure enough, the church was vacant.
We often speak of the “church year” and its seasons— Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter and Pentecost. These seasons transcend any particular local church, though they may shape a church. My summer encounters with the old and new churches in my community made me realize that individual churches have seasons, as do ministers, marriages and most aspects of life.
For a church to die well and leave a legacy for future generations is an act of courage and faithfulness.
What characterizes the seasons of a church?
Church property for sale in the Winston-Salem area.
Only a few weeks before, an article in the WinstonSalem Journal featured two new churches that had outgrown their current meeting space and were acquiring property near the CBFNC office. One had bought a movie theater. The other had purchased a strip mall right across the street from the theater. Obviously, the church that closed and the churches acquiring non-traditional property were in different seasons of their life cycle. In the 80s, John Killinger wrote two books about “seasons.” Christ in the Seasons of Ministry was published in 1983. Christ in the Seasons of Marriage was published in 1987. In both books, he describes how one’s relationship with Christ grows and changes throughout the four seasons (spring, summer, fall, winter) of the life of a minister and of a marriage.
Spring is the season of birth. Vision is clear and energy is strong. There may be struggles with money, property and other challenges of youth, but excitement seems to overcome any difficulties encountered. Summer is the season of success. Organizational matters (leadership, property, finances, programs and ministries) are solidified and energy is still high. People are engaged, though some who were involved at the beginning may have drifted away. Still, it seems that the summer church has unlimited possibilities. Fall is the season of maturity—individual and organizational. Congregants themselves, and the congregation as a whole, may be aging. Growth is limited but relationships are strong, resources are secure, missions and ministries are active and most people are satisfied. Fall may last a long time but at some point, to use the late Bob Dale’s language, churches in this stage need to “dream again.” Winter is the season of legacy. Churches are organic. We call them the “body” of Christ. Bodies don’t last forever. As far as I know, no church mentioned in the New Testament still exists today. Eventually all churches will close. The question is, what kind of legacy will they leave? Churches in the winter season would do well to engage in legacy planning. Otherwise, they will be poor stewards See “The Seasons of a Church” on page 4. Fall 2021 | 3
