Small Church

The Role of the Legacy Church Pastor

Becoming a Legacy Church – pursuing closure and dissolution – is a courageous act of faithful stewardship, following an intentional process to conclude the active ministry life of a congregation. Pastoring a church through that process calls upon a wide variety of skills ranging from grief counseling to project management — all while continuing your usual pastoral responsibilities. It’s a specialized role with particular practical, ethical, vocational, and theological challenges. It can carry some stigma, even shame. And it can feel lonely. Yet, you are far from alone.

Watch the Webinar

About the Webinar

Join Rev. Chris Mereschuk to hear about the skills, perspectives, tips, and tricks to help you serve faithfully as a Legacy Pastor. We’ll talk about the blessings as well as the challenges in this unique role of honoring the end of “What Was” while helping to birth the promise of “What Will Be.” Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions, and will be invited to consider continuing the conversation and seek colleague/peer support following the webinar.

About the Presenter

Rev. Chris Mereschuk is the Director for Legacy & Church Redevelopment for the Legacy Corporation of the Southern New England Conference, United Church of Christ. Chris has served in settled and transitional local church clergy positions in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Orleans. When he unexpectedly found himself serving a Legacy Church in 2018, Chris discovered a calling to work with congregations facing closure and dissolution, later founding RevCJM, LLC Consulting & Coaching.

Chris is the author of two chapters in the 2025 edition of “Living Legacy: Church Legacy & Closure Resource” from the United Church Building & Loan Fund, including a chapter on the role of the Legacy Pastor. He is an accredited coach through the International Coaching Federation, and a regular contributor to the United Church of Christ’s StillSpeaking Daily Devotionals.