Ravenwood Baptist Church held its dissolution service on September 1. About 30 members, former members, family, and friends were in attendance for the service that marked the end of one church’s presence in the community, and celebrated plans for another church to serve there moving forward. Retired CMBA Huddle Member Robert Grant coached Ravenwood through the “Dissolution with Dignity” process, and was present for the final service.
“This is about as healthy of a transition as you can imagine, and the willingness of this group to transition made it all worthwhile,” Grant says of the experience. “These members realized they could no longer carry on with Kingdom work under the name ‘Ravenwood Baptist,’ and understood that another Kingdom-minded church in our association would be able to come in and utilize the assets, both physical and financial.”
Peggy Penn has served as Ravenwood’s music director for over 24 years. As the church saw membership decrease over the years, she says it tried “many different things” until the remaining nine members who have sustained the church for the past two years realized something had to change. “We are a family, and our members were in total agreement over this decision,” Penn reports. “Today is wonderful. The pieces of the puzzle for the future are fitting together, and I am thrilled that Midtown Two Notch will be here soon.”
On July 10, 2024, Ravenwood members voted to dissolve and validate the church’s related bylaws to this action, which state that at the point of dissolution CMBA would assume ownership of Ravenwood’s building and remaining assets. Grant, along with Associational Missions Strategist Jamie Rogers and CMBA Huddle Member David Waganer, worked closely with the church for the next two months leading up to the dissolution service. During this time the agreement was solidified with Midtown Fellowship Two Notch to assume the church’s building and remaining assets.
“I can’t tell you how encouraged I’ve been working with the members of Ravenwood throughout this entire process. The decision they made was not an easy one at all, but it was a humble one that I know honored Jesus and that is the most important thing to consider in situations like this,” Rogers says. “Ravenwood is to be recognized because they acted in humility and that is what has been so encouraging to me. This may be one of the most important roles I play as the missional strategist for the association, building these kinds of relationships between local congregations.”
Ravenwood’s final service included worship, a message delivered by Pastor Larry Shull, and members sharing communion before concluding with the business session. Grant led the official voting, where nine church members unanimously agreed to dissolve Ravenwood. Following the dissolution Grant shared important bylaws details including how to request membership letters, and what the legal process is to communicate this decision to the South Carolina Secretary of State, Attorney General, and South Carolina Baptist Convention offices.
Grant affirmed Ravenwood members saying that their decisions were unselfish and generous. He praised the church family that “ministered here, grew here, and worshipped here” and that had recognized the time to transition, for being willing to say, “moving forward, God has more in store at this location than we are able to do.”
“Others will praise God for the obedience that occupies your confession of the gospel and your realization that churches aren’t buildings. They are God’s people called by His name and given the responsibility of sharing the gospel to an unsaved world,” Grant said to Ravenwood members. “You leave here today as one body handing over this same opportunity to a new church – a different body of believers – who will continue the Kingdom of God in His work here.”