‘Where have all the churches gone?’ redux
In 2022, The Christian Chronicle spent a year reporting on churches that were closing, merging or reinventing themselves — and on organizations that supported them…
Closing Churches
Dwindling Church of Christ seeks new future as community church campus
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Mayfair Church of Christ — at one time a flagship congregation among Churches of Christ in the Oklahoma City area —…
Rural California church sale brings $125,000 to nearby congregation
The sale of a small, rural Church of Christ in Riverdale, Calif., has provided more than $125,000 for the work of the nearby Hanford Church…
Churches embrace hope, change
ABILENE, Texas — ‘The church is in jeopardy, but the kingdom is not in question.” My friend Randy Harris, author and professor emeritus at Abilene…
Listen ‘with your mouth shut’
GREENSBORO, N.C. — I haven’t been to many elders’ meetings, but I have watched the turmoil, stress and pain of good friends who are elders…
‘One larger and stronger congregation working together for the Lord’
DETROIT — “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” This old African proverb has come to…
Not-so-simple stewardship
Dissolving a church or merging congregations can be complicated, not just emotionally or doctrinally, but financially and legally. Unlike selling a home, where the seller…
Our ministerial crisis has arrived
My dad is a minister. He has preached for congregations in Oklahoma, California and Texas. He now serves as an elder of the Gray Road…
Why faith matters to America: We talk to the author of an insightful new book
Religion reporter Bob Smietana’s “aha!” moment came a few years ago while covering a hurricane. When a tornado, flood or other disaster occurs, so-called faith-based…
Better as one: Churches merge
CINCINNATI — In some ways, in many ways, they couldn’t be more different. Greg Jasper, 51, was born and raised in Cincinnati. He looks every…
