Left: Central lit up at night
Below: chart of a congregation's life cycle
REBIRTH November 2021
The board made its recommendation to the
And yet, it continues to have new people visit
congregation to pursue a hybrid of two of the
and hosts programs despite its imminent close.
ideas and on August 22, 2021 the congregation
A member ready to rescind his membership
voted to close after one hundred and twenty-
returned instead. A couple plans to be married
eight years and give birth to a new community-
here in November. A substitute pianist loved
based nonprofit ministry to be a legacy of
the simplicity of the church. Two people ready
Central Christian Church.
to vote against proceeding with The Grow Center changed their minds and voted for it
The remnant that remains loves their church and
instead. Others still have left, and others will
is grieving the loss. It is difficult to understand
likely leave, not wanting to attend worship in
that Central Christian Church will no longer exist
something that is not called a “church.”
as an organization. The oldest member is 101 And the youngest is 12. Churches, however, have a life
Though there is grief—and some doubt and fear
cycle, and Central has been hovering in the old
—for many in the process of closing what is
age stage for years. It has stayed afloat longer
known and comfortable, it is an act of faith for
than many thought it would.
the people of Central to take the next step in their journey.
November 2021 | 24
ON THE MOVE
