The once thriving congregation of Thesinge has disbanded.
The regional congregation, close to the city of Groningen, was getting smaller due to secularisation and population shrinkage. Young people and young families left and children's and youth work stopped. Of the remaining sixty-five members, most come from outside the village. Attempts to set up missionary work together with other believers from Thesinge itself did not get off the ground. The small, ageing congregation eventually saw no future prospects and decided at a congregational meeting this spring to close its doors for good.
In the last service, on 7 July, Rev. Jan van 't Spijker presided. He pointed to the comfort of Zechariah 4:6. 'Not by force and not by violence, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of the army powers.' It is a text about the limits of human capabilities. This is where human capabilities end. For people who do not know how to proceed, there is the encouragement that God Himself is in control of people's salvation and the church's existence. God's work goes on.
Missionary work in north-east Groningen is supported with part of the proceeds from the sale of the church building and rectory. Another part goes to good causes. Members join one of the nearby churches. The whole process of dissolution is carefully supervised by ob&a and Support for local churches.
