Unless a Seed Dies

In the week before his death, Jesus said to his disciples:

The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life (John 12:23-25).

Within days, the metaphor of a germinating grain of wheat was enacted in Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. In a broader application, Jesus indicated that this same dynamic would be characteristic of the life and mission of his followers.

We normally and appropriately apply this truth to individuals.

Could this also be true for churches? Year after year, according to reliable statistics, church closures outnumber new church starts in the United States. Dare we hope that the closure of one church could germinate into new and multiple faith communities?

In one recent instance, at least, this may be happening. In September 2024, New Life Church of Hershey (PA) held a final worship service and closed. Attenders were understandably distressed and grieved. Yet to their credit, they moved past their sadness and dispersed in transformative ways.

One cluster of households migrated to a multi-cultural, urban church in the same church family, not far away. They are now investing in the mission of this church: to be a thriving diverse urban church sharing Christ’s love and serving the needs of local and global communities.

Another cluster of households coalesced into a new faith community, naming themselves Hope Connection. Led by lay leaders, drawing on the preaching of a retired pastor, and given free access to a local building, the group, with a resurgent sense of mission, is reaching new people.

Some households shifted to a thriving church of 1,000, seven miles away. This church, which is rapidly running out of space, is actively exploring the potential of revitalizing the vacated site as a satellite location. With an infusion of new people, the hope is to replicate the life and vitality of the “sending" church.

Already, in this instance, the demise of one church is resulting in strengthening, expanding, and launching other communities of faith. Just as Jesus said: “unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”