Churches in Crisis

451 Crisis Intervention

1. Conditions

Any existing full-member congregation shall require national conference intervention whenever it becomes unhealthy or shows consistent decline, as evidenced by any combination of the following:

a. An average morning worship attendance of fewer than 50 for two consecutive years or more.

b. Fewer than ten resident member families.

c. Lack of financial stability and/or self-reliance.

d. Lack of clear and common purpose.

e. Severe and unresolved internal conflict which damages the church's reputation in the community and hurts the cause of Christ.

2. Intervention Strategies

Such congregations may initiate their own plans subject to national conference approval and supervision, or an appropriate national conference entity may intervene to explore possible renewal and revitalization strategies. These may include, but are not limited to, the following:

a. Renewal Plan. A renewal plan would help the existing congregation revitalize its ministry. Components might include an objective assessment of its spiritual health, the development of a renewed purpose, an addressing of any internal problems or obstacles, etc.

b. Restart Plan. A restart plan would close the existing congregation and use its resources to start a new church in the same community with a new ministry focus, a new location, a new name, and/or a new pastor.

c. Maintenance Plan. A maintenance plan would allow the congregation to decide to continue its present course, but without any further outside intervention and/or assistance. The church would lose its voice in the national conference after five years of no progress toward an agreed plan.

d. Closure Plan. A closure plan would close the church in accordance with the procedures below.

452 Closing a Church

1. Initiating a Closure

The process for closing a church can be initiated by:

a. The local board of administration. The board will notify the US bishop of its desire, and the local board and cluster coach begin discussing the idea.

b. Executive Leadership Team. The Executive Leadership Team may direct the cluster coach to meet with a local board about the pos-sibility of closing that church.

c. Cluster coach. The cluster coach may call a local conference to discuss the possibility of closing the church.

2. Reasons for Closing

Reasons for closing a church can be based on such factors as:

a. The church is weak in such areas as membership, attendance, finances, and purpose.

b. There is a desire to merge with another congregation.

c. The congregation is unable to carry out a meaningful ministry.

d. The congregation consists of less than ten resident families.

3. Closing the Church

The final decision will be made by the local conference. When that decision is made, the following actions will occur:

a. The local church will determine the 501.c(3) organization that will receive the property.

b. A letter will be sent to each member, outlining possible options regarding church attendance and membership in nearby churches, information on what will happen to the church property, and any other relevant information.

c. Members shall transfer their membership to the local church of their choice. If that is not done within six months, the US bishop may close the roll by removing the names from United Brethren membership.