Should Your Church Merge?
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Mon, November 03, 2008
- Viewed 192
- (9) comments so far
1) Two struggling churches that combine don’t make a strong church. If both churches are unhealthy, trying to combine them will just make two unhealthy churches into one really unhealthy church.
2) “Merging” is a polite term, but probably not accurate. Craig prefers the term “adoption” because that’s really what it is. One church needs to willingly submit to the leadership of the other.
3) A drawn-out investigation process rarely works. Craig’s thought: If both leaders feel that God is in this, do it sooner rather than later. He suggests 30 days. Longer processes cause both churches to struggle with distractions, and the chance of disagreements increases.
Craig shares a few more merger tips here.
Has your church merged with another church? Tell us your story in the comments section!
Craig Groeschel has started a really interesting conversation over at the Swerve blog about merging two churches. As senior pastor at LifeChurch.tv, Craig has been involved over the years in mergers with five different churches.
I believe as Craig does that we will see more and more church mergers in the future. Let's face it -- many churches are dying, seeing lower and lower numbers of attendees every week. These same churches are also "facility blessed." They have facilities that are kingdom owned (bought and paid for) that should be put back into circulation. I think many of these dying churches will, in one way or another, partner with healthy churches in their areas to bring viability and life to their dying facilities.
In other cases, like-minded churches will merge, not out of desperation or certain death, but because of common goals and mission. These churches will find that they can multiply their impact by working together. Working together, they will reach many more people than they are currently able to reach individually.
Craig gives some great insight into church mergers. With apologies to Craig, here are some of his thoughts:
Comments
if you want a Globally Recognized Avatar (the images next to your profile) get them here. Once you sign up, they will displayed on any website that supports them.
Rick White on Mon, November 03, 2008
Yeah…I like the general idea of redeploying these dying churches…but I’d rather see them deployed to a new church plant rather than merged to a larger property-blessed church.
Of course, I’m speaking of denominational churches mostly…an independent church will need to make their own choice as to merge, sell or give away to a church plant. I’d always rather a church plant, but ultimately it’s the property owners’ choice.
Kyle McClure on Mon, November 03, 2008
What I love about this topic is that it shows that churches are more willing than ever to work together for the purpose of advancing God’s kingdom. It seems that we are in a new season within the church and we are feeling less and less like we are in competition with each other.
On halloween night our church joined with 8 other churches in our town to host a fall festival for the entire community at the city park. The response was tremendous and I know it tore down walls in people’s hearts. We believe that this is just the beginning of something great. God is about to pour out his spirit in our town. I know he must be doing the same in other places as well.
Ron Edmondson on Mon, November 03, 2008
I love the concept. It was discussed in a leadership training I went to 15 years ago and seen then as so very radical, yet today it seems almost a necessity (or something like this) in order to advance the Kingdom. My great concern these days is for the church that simply will not grow because it is steeped in tradition. I love the heart of church such as New Life in Chicago. Their video from the multi-site conference “rocked my world” in a thought process. The link is here: http://sundaytown.com/media/restart/
Will Marotti on Mon, November 03, 2008
We merged a little over two years ago. We were growing but land/space poor, they were stalled but had great property. We called it a merger but as the Wall Street Journal says, “All mergers are really acquisitions”. Everyone was on board the first few months, but when the reality of change set it we saw a mass exodus of 125 families in 18 mos. We have since recovered and are moving forward again. My word for anyone thinking about a church merger is pray more, move slowly and get all the advice you can!
Scott Holder on Mon, November 03, 2008
In 1997 I took over a “new” church formed from the combination of two older churches that refused to minister in a changing environment. One church had power-hungry people running the show; the other had great people with weak leadership. After the merger, the weak leader was forced out by the power-hungry individuals. Not long afterward, the power-hungry people found out that the pastor that stayed had been having an affair with his secretary. So, he was let go. This was not a good beginning for the new church - with a huge debt after relocating.
I came in and immediately found myself being confronted by that power group. They fought me for seven of the longest years of my life. I came to the conclusion that this was not a God-thing for them to merge and relocate. They should have agreed to stay and minister in the changing neighborhood. (Race relations are not good in our area, so that was out.)
After seven years, I resigned to take time to heal and get healthy again. During that time God showed me that the dream I had of a vibrant church without all the power-hungry people and rituals could not happen at the church I had left. Now that I was free of that tyranny, God could work through me to build what has become CrossPoint.
I can say that I agree that mergers don’t exist; in my experience it was an acquisition - one church acquiring the assets (human) of another church. Had they remained in either of the original churches’ locations, they could have greatly impacted a community. However, as a result of their actions, the new church no longer exists. It folded up shop about 1 year after I left. The hard-working members had left the power-hungry with the building and property and debt. The main leader of the power group that wanted to run it ended up being the one that killed it all. In the end, I can say it was a learning process, but one that I would never want to go through again or wish upon anyone else.
I think if a church is dwindling, it needs to find a way to become relevant once again. Change the methods and see what happens; just don’t change the message!
Larry D. Maddox on Tue, November 04, 2008
Last summer a small church in our town that was a part of our denomination merged with us. The merger enhanced our possibilities to move from our present facilities and consider building on a new site which is in a growing area of the city.
An article in the local newspaper caught the attention of a church that was about ready to close because of finances. They had property in a prime area of the city. They believed so much that a church needed to be built on that property that they made an overture to us about joining our congregati0on and making the property available to us. That took place and not only did they make the prime property available but they came into our congregation with a great love for the Kingdom and Kingdom building.
The story isn’t over….Another congregation of similar beliefs and goals began to meet with us. They at one time had been a strong church in the city but the years have taken a toll on them and their ministry. They have begun a partnership with our congregation and merger looks very probable.
Two years ago…we could have never thought of doing the things we are about to do. But that one step of faith has launched many opportunities.
This is work and we have traveled many unchartered waters God has been so faithful.
Larry D. Maddox
Senior Pastor
Three Rivers Wesleyan Church
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Ron Keener, Editor, Church Executive on Mon, November 10, 2008
The January 2009 issue of Church Executive magazine will carry an article on the merger of Word of Grace, Mesa, AZ and CitiChurch, Scottsdale, AZ, into a two-campus church now called City of Grace at Mesa and Scottsdale. You will find it an interesting addition to the discussion of mergers.
On the Web site only content there will be an interview with multi-site consultant Jim Tomberlin of Scottsdale, AZ, who assisted in the City of Grace merger.
The Web site material will be up about Dec. 17, 2008.
Ron Keener
wholesale jewelry on Mon, April 20, 2009
Should Your Church Merge?——Yes
Angel Blue Eyes on Sun, July 12, 2009
very nice post thanks!!!
Natural Menopause
Page 1 of 1 pages
Post a Comment