And knowing when to let go of that ministry.

I was called to the Yukon over 4 years ago. At that time, one of my key areas of responsibility was to oversee the revitalization of our church’s camp ministry. I knew there would be some challenges, but with years of youth and camp experience under my belt, I believed that the camp could be revitalized.

It didn’t happen.

Oh, we tried though! There were structural upgrades completed, our philosophy of ministry was updated to re-focus on camper safety, training staff members, and presenting the Gospel every week.

It wasn’t enough to save the camp.

Exasperated, the Camp Committee decided to call in outside support. In November 2016 a full assessment of the camp ministry was completed with sobering results.

One question from that assessment still echos in my mind:

“Who is limiting whom? The camp limiting the church, or the church limiting the camp?”

Confidential Source

Our outside support was speaking into the heart for the problem. The church had been trying to jumpstart the camp for the past decade. Sure, ministry was happening but the season of super-charged camp ministry was over. Realistically, it was over before I ever stepped foot on the property.

We were facing some difficult discussions that would lead to even more difficult decisions.

Over two years later…

A couple of weeks ago our congregation voted to sell the camp property.

My mentor and I were reflecting on this vote, and the over 80% in favour result. It had taken over 2 years of discussions since receiving the assessment results that the camp ministry was no longer viable.

In reflection of this journey, I’ve learned something important.

The longer a ministry runs, the longer it takes to end.

For many church leaders, there’s a skill set (or perhaps a mindset) that helps us to see past ministry nostalgia and toward ministry opportunities. The end of a ministry doesn’t often have sorrow attached to it because we’re so excited about future ministry.

But we can’t assume everyone feels the same way we do.

For our camp ministry, it took two years to allow people to ask questions and discuss potential outcomes. In a way, we took two years to allow people to grieve the loss of a camp that ran for decades. In light of that comparison, I can see why it took that long.

We still have a journey ahead of us.

There are still a lot of loose ends that need to be tide up. We don’t how the property will be sold, who will purchase the property or when the sale of the camp will actually go through? Never mind working through selling or distributing the other camp assets on the property.

That being said, there’s a peace in our congregation that wasn’t there before. Discussions were had. Votes were cast. And it was time to let go. As difficult as it was, a long season of ministry had come to an end.