In this episode of The Last Service Podcast, Matt talks with Joshua Gordon, pastor and author of How to Close a Church: Seven Steps to a Grace-Filled and Thoughtful Closing. Josh shares his story of serving at a church that eventually closed, what he learned from later shutting down his own ministry, and how endings, while painful, can become opportunities for healing and renewal.
Together, they explore what many pastors avoid: the spiritual and pastoral side of church closure. Josh reminds us that while the technical steps of dissolving a congregation may be straightforward, the true work lies in shepherding people through grief, offering rest, and learning to trust that Jesus, not us, is building His church.
3 Key Takeaways for Declining Churches-
Closure is Pastoral, Not Just Technical – Closing a church requires more than handling property and finances. Leaders must guide people through grief and help them see closure as a spiritual decision.
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Honest Assessment is Crucial – Churches need the courage to evaluate leadership energy, congregational will, and systemic health. Without that honesty, revitalization efforts will fall flat.
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Rest is Part of Faithfulness – After a closure, leaders and members alike should resist the urge to immediately serve again. Time for healing and recovery is essential to move into future ministry in a healthy way.
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Read Josh Gordon’s article: How to Close a Church: Seven Steps to a Grace-Filled and Thoughtful Closing
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Connect with Josh Gordon: theleadpastor.com | Email: info@theleadpastor.com
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