Creating a Legacy

When a congregation closes its physical ministry, it can still bless other ministries and provide its own lasting, faithful legacy.

First Christian Church of South Bend, Indiana, began its northern Indiana ministry in 1850. By 2008, the once thriving congregation saw its membership dwindled in size. The congregation’s leadership contacted the Christian Church Foundation to aid the congregation’s discernment of its ongoing ministry and likely sale of the church building.  After prayerful consideration, the congregation made the difficult decision to sell their 35,000-square-foot facility. The congregation received more than $600,000 from the property sale.

The congregation wanted to make both immediate and long-term impacts on Disciples ministries. Shortly after the property sale, initial gifts were made to various Disciples charities. To ensure its long-term legacy, the congregation worked with the Christian Church Foundation to establish The Legacy Fund of First Christian Church, South Bend, Indiana, a permanent fund. In creating their permanent fund, the congregation declared, “we celebrate the ministry of saints who have gone before and honor their legacy to us by dedicating a portion of the remaining assets of the First Christian Church to the glory of God, and to expand the witness and mission of Jesus Christ in the world…”

The gift of $257,000 to their permanent fund is supporting Disciples ministries in perpetuity, allowing the legacy of First Christian South Bend to remain a vital presence in the mission and ministry of the Church.

If your congregation has recognized challenges with sustaining its visible ministry, plan to reduce or close your physical ministry, or has decided to sell your church property, the Christian Church Foundation may be able to support or guide you during this journey. As you prayerfully consider your congregation’s next steps, it would be our privilege to listen, share resources, and offer practical guidance to help you envision your ministry’s legacy, even if your visible ministry, at a physical location, comes to a close.