Last week I attended a conference where seminary professor Tod Bolsinger spoke. In his talk, Bolsinger recalled consulting with a domination’s leadership. When he asked them what they wanted, their reply was immediate: "We just want to make sure our churches don’t die."
"Every church the Apostle Paul planted is gone," Bolsinger replied. "But we’re here."
His point? Success doesn’t demand perpetuity. Just because a church or ministry ends, it doesn’t mean that God didn’t accomplish something through it.
It’s a lesson Yi Ning Chiu had to learn the hard way. When her church closed, along with the justice ministry she led, he was saddened and confused. In this raw and beautiful essay, she reflects on how she found hope in the life and suffering of Jesus himself. If you’re facing disappointment, you’ll benefit from "When a Church Breaks."
