When God Says 'No:' Discerning Closed Doors and New Directions

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There are lots of pitfalls of leading a church in this season of ministry. But there's a particular kind of ache that comes with letting go of a long-held vision for your church.

Whether it's a ministry that once thrived but now struggles for traction, or a dream that seems perpetually out of reach, or a direction that feels increasingly misaligned—the need to release our grip can be agonizing.

At best, it can cause grief and loss of momentum. At worst, it can fracture a ministry. And yet, sometimes, the most faithful thing we can do as a church is discern when God is saying "no" and trustingly step towards the unknown.

Discerning God's "no" often requires a posture of humble introspection and courageous honesty. Here are a few signs I’ve experienced in my Congregational Discernment workshops that may indicate a closed door within your church’s ministry:

  • Persistent Obstacles: Are you facing continual roadblocks and setbacks despite your best efforts and prayers? While challenges are part of any endeavor, consistent and insurmountable obstacles may signal that this is not the path intended for you.
  • Lack of Peace: Do you feel a nagging sense of unease or a lack of peace about the direction the church is pursuing? The Holy Spirit often speaks through our intuition and inner witness.
  • Diminishing Fruit: Is the ministry or vision bearing less fruit than it once did? If you were to discern the ministry or vision today, would it be something you would still begin in your current context? While seasons of ebb and flow are normal, a prolonged decline in impact may suggest a need for change.
  • Closed Doors and Open Windows: Is it possible that while one door is closing, God is simultaneously opening another? Pay attention to new opportunities and emerging possibilities that may be a better fit for your congregation’s gifts and vision but that are directly related to the ministry that is declining.

Letting go of a cherished vision can be painful, but it can also pave the way for new life and greater fruitfulness. Consider these steps as you navigate transitions:

  • Seek Wise Counsel: Talk to trusted mentors, spiritual leaders, and fellow believers. Their objective perspectives can offer valuable insights and help you discern God's leading. You could even consider connecting with a congregational discernment expert who might be able to have a level head in these times of hard questions.
  • Pray for Discernment: Spend time in prayer, asking God for clarity and guidance. Be open to hearing His voice and following His direction, even if it differs from your initial plans. There are plenty of reasons we hold onto visions or ministries, but God’s vision and call should be the guiding force.
  • Be Open to the Unfamiliar: Stepping into the unknown can be daunting, but it's often in those uncharted territories that we discover God's greatest blessings. Trust in His faithfulness and provision when the call is to pivot away from what your church has done into something unfamiliar.

I have worked with churches that experienced revitalization and growth after courageously embracing new directions and having hard conversations about closed doors. One congregation, facing declining attendance and a shifting neighborhood demographic, transformed their building into a community center offering after-school programs, ESL classes, and a food pantry. This shift allowed them to serve their community in relevant ways and attract new people to their faith.

Another small church in a rural area expanded its reach by launching online services and Bible studies and focusing on reaching beyond its local area. This allowed them to connect with people beyond their geographical limitations and foster a vibrant online community, even though it meant pivoting away from a local outreach focus.

Even a thriving suburban church, struggling with focus on their mission and recognizing the need for a gospel presence in a nearby urban area, planted a daughter church. This allowed the church to reach a new population and expand its Kingdom impact in place of trying to create programming for every demographic within their community.

When God says "no," it's not a rejection but a redirection. It's an invitation to trust God’s wisdom, surrender our own plans, and embrace the new thing God is doing in our community. While congregational discernment is a difficult process, and letting go can often feel impossible, listening deeply to God can be the catalyst for greater fruitfulness, deeper faith, and a more profound experience of God's faithfulness in your church’s future.

The Rev. Kellen Roggenbuck serves Stoughton UMC in Stoughton, Wisconsin, and teaches Evangelism and Discipleship at the Iowa Conference Licensing School.