For everything there is a season. Ecclesiastes 3:1 NRSV

Discerning the season of your congregation’s life is a crucial step both in regard to vitality and to sustainability. It is important to look at a wide range of options and to prayerfully discern what direction God is calling the congregation.

Each option listed below has significant benefits and challenges. As you discern, know that financial sustainability is not the same as vitality. We are praying that your congregation considers its future with vitality as your primary factor. As with all discernment, this process should be steeped in prayer and Scripture keeping us focused on God’s mission.

The 10 options are categorized in three ways:

• Choosing Transformation: making significant change to current context from within to connect with God’s mission. Options include: intentional vitality process, redevelopment, and sale of building.
• Choosing Partnership: engaging in shared ministry with another congregation(s) for the sake of the gospel. Options include yoking, merger, consolidation, and anchor church models.
• Choosing Resurrection: embracing the end with belief in the promise that God is doing a new thing. Options include closing and re-opening, word & service mission post; and holy closure.

Any of these options require wrestling with questions of finances, property, leadership, mission, worship location and times, and legacy. Reflection can result in changes like changing worship times, pursuing part-time pastoral leadership, or the creation of shared ministries. The synod staff will be accompanying as you discern and choose the option to move forward. Remember, options could include a full communion partner. ELCA full communion partners are The Episcopal Church, The United Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), United Church of Christ, Reformed Church in America, and the Moravian Church in America.