mgpcpastor's blog

Thom Rainer proposes a pastoral response for situations where church members respond with hurt and anger over a proposed change to the physical facilities of a church property.
Even in a property that’s only fifteen years old (like mgpc’s) changing fixtures and structures can be tricky.
But because ministry and mission is a fluid practice of biblical principles preparedness to change is a necessity.
Over the last nine years pretty much all the contents of our chapel (worship area) have been replaced.
Changes have been made around the rest of the property as well.
If we’re talking sometime ask me about my ‘to do’ list.
We’re careful not to allow these changes to be a diversion from carrying out our mission and the overall support for gospel outcomes to outweigh personal preferences is one of the blessings of life serving mgpc.

I don’t remember this subject getting a lot of time during pastoral training.
Rainer packs a fair bit of wisdom into a short post.

Rainer:

I wish to address […] the broad category of physical facilities. Some or several church members have deep emotional ties to, for example, a certain building, a Sunday school classroom, a parlor, stained glass windows, or pews. When the pastor attempts to suggest any changes related to these items of great fondness, he might meet a wave of unexpected criticism.
I spend a lot of time conversing with pastors. Almost every month I hear from a pastor who has been wounded by critics after he attempted to make some change that affected the church’s facilities. Many pastors are caught off guard by the depth of emotions they encounter. Others lament that they feel like they are curators of a museum, protecting physical items when they should be sharing the gospel in the community.

Understanding the Hurt Behind the Criticisms
When I served as a pastor of four churches, I was too insensitive to these critics. I often perceived them as unreasonable people with a misplaced focus. As I have aged (and hopefully matured), I now see that there were real reasons for the hurt.
Some of the congregants saw their loved ones married in a worship center, and the thought of abandoning that space for a newer and bigger facility can be deeply painful. Others recall their grandparents sacrificing hard-earned dollars to acquire those stained-glass windows. Those windows have a much deeper meaning that just some beautiful pieces of colored glass.
The bottom line is that many of these congregants have deep attachment to these items. There is a deep and real hurt when significant change takes place that affects those things that stir deep emotions in their hearts.

Responding Pastorally to the Criticisms
So what is a pastor to do when he receives intense criticism for removing the big, bulky pulpit in favor of a more contemporary lectern? How does he respond when he is shocked by the negative feedback when he suggests that the bridal parlor could also be used for Bible study space? May I suggest a fourfold plan of action?

• Respond to the criticisms pastorally. The critics often are hurt. Even though they lash out at their pastor, he needs to respond in love and deal with the hurt they are feeling.
• Keep the congregation focused on the missional objective of the church. Local congregations are to be taking the gospel to the community and to the world. As that mandate is repeatedly emphasized before the congregation, more and more members will grasp that they cannot focus on the “things” of the church when they have been called to a much greater purpose.
• Use great discernment to know if the change is really necessary. Are there other alternatives that could engender less pain? Conflicts and fights over physical facilities and items in the church can drain the congregation emotionally and spiritually, and cause the church to lose her focus.
• Do not take the criticisms personally. I know. It’s easier said than done when you’re the target getting the arrows. But if you can hear the hurt objectively, you can respond with a greater pastoral heart.

Many pastors express surprise that their call to ministry includes being the curator of a museum. But the critics who hurt us the most are in the same group we find ourselves: sinners saved by the grace of God. God loves them and us unconditionally. We should do likewise.