The Unfinished Church
with Rev. Nancy Dolan
In this episode of The Last Service Podcast, Matt sits down with Rev. Nancy Dolan, a Presbyterian pastor with 20+ years of corporate HR/organizational development experience, to walk through the remarkable and deeply pastoral journey of helping Kirk of the Lakes—a once-thriving suburban congregation—discern its future with honesty, courage, and hope.
Nancy tells the full story: from the church’s suburban boom in the 1960s, to its relationally rich glory days in the 70s and 80s, through decades of decline, and finally to its faithful and spiritually grounded decision to close. Through it all, she models how pastoral presence, deep listening, and a relentless attentiveness to God’s activity can shepherd a congregation through some of its most tender moments.
Whether you’re a pastor, denominational leader, or lay elder navigating transition, this episode offers both practical guidance and spiritual encouragement.
3 Key Takeaways
1. The Relentless Pursuit of What God Is Doing
Nancy approached a conflicted, anxious congregation with open hands, listening deeply and consistently asking, “What is God doing here?” This posture kept discipleship at the center of every decision the Church faced, communicating that God had not abandoned this congregation even in seasons of stagnation, loss, and confusion about purpose.
2. Pastoral Skills Matter
Nancy did not enter with a plan. She entered with curiosity, presence, and relationship-building. She listened, visited homes, learned the stories, and gained trust. Instead of technical fixes, she grounded the church in prayer, Scripture, and emotional/spiritual health. Her leadership demonstrates that churches in transition need a shepherd more than a strategist.
3. Start Early
Years before they closed, the congregation began a structured process of assessment and discernment. Because they started early, they were able to explore multiple possibilities, not just closure. So when closing ultimately became the faithful choice, it felt like a wisely discerned conclusion, not a failure or collapse.
Episode Highlights
The “glory days” of Kirk of the Lakes: rich relationships, young families, deep community life—not just programs.
Why decline set in: pastoral turnover, unaddressed conflict, an outdated ministry model, and anxiety-driven decision-making.
How Nancy built trust: listening without judgment, acknowledging fears, and committing to spiritual growth regardless of the outcome.
The discernment process: case studies, asset mapping, prayer teams, and honest assessment of congregational energy.
When the high school next door offered to buy the building: how this clarified mission and stewardship.
Why the congregation chose closure despite having financial runway: they recognized they had resources but not the human energy to continue mission.
Legacy work: how the congregation’s final gifts created mental health services, sensory rooms, clothing ministries, and ongoing community impact.
Shepherding people into new church homes: “send-out Sundays” helped members join other congregations before the final service.
The last service and legacy service: grief, gospel, memory, and resurrection hope intertwined.
Why This Episode Matters
This conversation offers pastors, sessions, and church leaders a real-life picture of how gospel hope can guide even the hardest congregational decisions. It re-centers the conversation around spiritual formation, relational leadership, and discerning God’s new work, rather than simply managing decline.
If your church is navigating questions of vitality, mission, property, or legacy, this episode is a must-listen.
