stephen R Harrison

This morning, while running in downtown Hot Springs (on our church’s pastor retreat), I came across this building, which used to be First Presbyterian Church. Now it’s an event center or perhaps a bed and breakfast. I’m pleased to know the church it used to contain moved across the street.

So many church buildings have become other things, as hopefully those churches have outgrown the spaces. Some transform into breweries, Airbnbs, community theaters, office space, and even coffee shops. Sadly, most of the time, they just close their doors for good. 

A recent study indicated that over 55,000 churches will close their doors over the next seven years in America. Staggering. Grievous. This is among the many reasons why we need to start and revitalize churches. There is room for another church in your city. There is room for the ones that already exist. There is space in our current churches for people who are still in need of Christ.

Jesus said he would build his church and not even the gates of hell would prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). I ask myself, am I on mission being the church alongside my local church, and how are we advancing the Kingdom through multiplying ourselves into new churches? Or are we loosening our grip and slowly giving up gospel ground one generation at a time? It’s not the devil that stops us most of the time. It’s congregational drift and losing our gospel fervor. Have we lost our first love of Jesus? We must strengthen what remains!

What will inhabit our current church building five years from now? 100 years? Will it be a stagnant museum with a faint history of a relic church or continue to be a vibrant body pursuing a multiplying ministry and seeking the welfare of its city and beyond with the hope-filled gospel of Jesus? Will we be seeking to close our doors or open new ones in various places because the Word of God is spreading and people are coming to the Faith?

We don’t need any more museums, coffee, shops, or Airbnbs offering temporary pleasantries. We need more gospel centered churches proclaiming Christ and serving a broken world by offering eternal hope that satisfies our weary souls.

Jesus, help us be faithful to the mission of your church for your glory.