Embracing Change: Grief, Growth, and New Beginnings

We find ourselves at a threshold—a liminal space—where the past is still very present in our memories, but the future remains uncertain and unsettling. This is not unique to our congregation or even our denomination; it is a reality facing much of the church today. Many of us remember a time when our sanctuary was full, the choir sang robustly, and our programs for children and youth were vibrant. We remember when our church was a hub for social service agencies that are now thriving elsewhere. But that era is gone, and it is not coming back in the same way. This realization is difficult, especially for those who have been part of this community for decades. The challenge before us is to honestly face our current reality and to discern, together, what God is calling us to become in this new season.

As we look ahead, we must recognize that change is not optional—it is already happening. We can either resist it and risk stagnation, or we can embrace it with creativity and courage. The task group that has been working diligently has called us to develop a plan that is both creative and courageous, one that is relevant to today’s spiritual and social context. But before we can move forward, we must first name and grieve our losses. The sale of our building, the decline in membership, and the changes in our ministry model are all sources of grief. It is important to acknowledge these feelings, to give ourselves permission to mourn what has been lost, and to celebrate what was good.

Scripture gives us powerful examples of this process. David grieved deeply for Saul and Jonathan, even though Saul had been his adversary. David’s lament was honest and complex, recognizing both the pain of loss and the depth of relationship. Similarly, in the story of Lazarus, Jesus does not rush past the grief of Mary, Martha, and their community. He enters into their sorrow, weeping with them, before the miracle of resurrection occurs. The true miracle is not just Lazarus’s return to life, but the way Jesus honors the reality of loss and grief.

For us, the path to new life—our own resurrection story—begins with honest grieving. Only by letting go of what was can we make space for what God wants to do next. This will not be easy or comfortable, but it is the way of discipleship. As we move forward, may we do so with prayerful discernment, honest evaluation, and a willingness to embrace the new life that God is preparing for us.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Liminal times are deeply unsettling because they force us to live between what was and what is yet to come. In these moments, we are called to acknowledge our uncertainty and resist the temptation to cling to the past, trusting that God is present even when the future is unclear. This threshold is not a place of passivity, but of active discernment and openness to transformation. [01:11]
• 2. The pain of change is often rooted in loss, and loss brings grief. Naming and honoring our grief is not a sign of weakness, but a necessary step toward healing and renewal. Only by honestly facing what we have lost—be it people, places, or cherished ways of being—can we begin to move forward with integrity and hope. [11:02]
• 3. Scripture models for us the importance of lament. David’s grief for Saul and Jonathan is a testament to the complexity of human relationships and the necessity of mourning, even when change is inevitable or relationships have been fraught. Lament is not just about sadness; it is about honoring the depth of what was and preparing our hearts for what is to come. [15:41]
• 4. The story of Lazarus reveals that resurrection is always preceded by death and grief. Jesus does not bypass the pain of loss; he enters into it, weeping with those who mourn. This teaches us that new life—whether in our personal journeys or as a church—can only emerge when we have fully acknowledged and experienced our losses. [18:16]
• 5. Embracing a creative and courageous future requires both prayerful discernment and decisive action. While prayer grounds us, we must guard against “prayer paralysis” that avoids the hard work of change. God calls us to grieve, to discern, and then to act—trusting that resurrection and new vitality are possible when we let go of what was and step faithfully into what can be. [20:20]
  ** [20:20]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:11] - Living in Liminal Times
• [02:33] - Different Perspectives in the Congregation
• [04:10] - Facing the Reality of Change
• [06:05] - The Need for a New Ministry Model
• [07:45] - The Task Group’s Work and Report
• [09:30] - The Call for Creative and Courageous Planning
• [10:50] - The Challenge of Change and Decline
• [11:02] - Grief and Loss in the Face of Change
• [13:30] - The Importance of Naming Our Grief
• [14:49] - David’s Lament for Saul and Jonathan
• [16:23] - The Complexity of Human Relationships
• [17:19] - Jesus, Lazarus, and the Miracle of Grief
• [18:16] - Resurrection Requires Death and Grief
• [19:11] - Applying Resurrection to Our Church’s Future
• [20:20] - The Discomfort of Discipleship and Closing Prayer

Bible Reading

2 Samuel 1:17-27 (ESV) — > And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and Jonathan his son... “Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!... I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant have you been to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women. How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war perished!”

John 11:32-44 (ESV) — > Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”... When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled... Jesus wept... He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out...

Observation Questions

1. In 2 Samuel 1, what emotions does David express in his lament for Saul and Jonathan? What stands out about the way he grieves both men?
2. In John 11, how does Jesus respond to the grief of Mary, Martha, and the community before raising Lazarus?
3. According to the sermon, what are some specific losses our church has experienced in recent years? ([02:33])
4. What does the sermon say is the first step before moving forward into a new season as a church? ([11:02])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why might it have been important for David to grieve Saul, even though Saul had been his adversary? What does this teach us about the complexity of grief and relationships? ([14:49])
2. The sermon says that Jesus did not rush past the grief of Lazarus’s family but entered into it. What does this reveal about how God views our pain and loss? ([18:16])
3. The sermon describes our current time as a “liminal space.” What does it mean to live in a liminal time, and why is it so unsettling for a church community? ([01:11])
4. Why is it necessary to name and honor our grief before we can move forward as a church? ([11:02])

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to honestly name and grieve our losses as a church. What is one specific loss (a person, place, or tradition) that you personally need to grieve? How might you begin to do that? ([11:02])
2. David’s lament for Saul and Jonathan was both honest and complex. Is there a relationship or situation in your life that you need to grieve honestly, even if it’s complicated? What would it look like to do that? ([15:41])
3. Jesus wept with Mary and Martha before the miracle of resurrection. When was the last time you allowed yourself to fully feel and express grief, rather than rushing to “fix” things or move on? ([18:16])
4. The sermon warns against “prayer paralysis”—praying without acting. Are there areas where you have been stuck in prayer or discussion, but have avoided taking action? What is one step you could take this month? ([20:20])
5. The idea of a “creative and courageous plan” was raised. What does a creative and courageous step forward look like for you personally, or for our church? ([07:45])
6. The sermon says that resurrection and new life only come after we let go of what was. Is there something you are holding onto from the past that is preventing you from embracing what God might want to do next? ([19:11])
7. How can we support each other as a group in both grieving our losses and stepping into new possibilities together? ([20:20])