It is true that merging two churches in this culture is not easy. There are matters of leadership, theology, finances, ministry preferences, and let’s be candid, who’s in charge, to deal with.
Therefore, humility, maturity, and common purpose are the necessary and key elements most helpful to a successful and thriving church merger.
It’s not the responsibility of every church in a city to partner with other churches in some way. That’s not practical. But when we can, it sends a strong message of unity to the whole community. And that is a positive and powerful message in today’s culture.
4. Church Mergers Create Value in the Community
Churches that are healthy and productive bring hope and help in the community. Church mergers increase this value to the community.
It’s far more than the proposition of renovating an older building that is in need of maintenance. The value is a deeper sense of progress and that something good is happening. One pastor leading a revitalization of a older, small and declining church recently told me that the community thought his church was closed.
Closed?! Yup…as in permanently closed.
But they have church every Sunday!
How does a community think even a small church could be closed? But it happens.
A merger with a church such as the one I just mentioned can signal hope where there was decline.
5. Church Mergers Bring New Life to Struggling Churches
Pastors of smaller congregations that continue to decline get discouraged. It’s understandable. They are good pastors, but when you experience years of decline, its tough to stay wholeheartedly in the game. Even with the faithful few showing up, it’s hard to imagine a thriving church again.
In short, there is no vision.
Mergers bring vision and new life to a struggling church where it was otherwise no longer dreamed possible.
Some of these smaller congregations don’t have a pastor and are floundering. They’re not sure what to do and contemplate closing the doors.
It never crosses the minds of many churches to seek a merger.
Perhaps some thriving churches need to invite a merger conversation. That could be awkward, but if the intent of the inviting church is the good of the struggling church, both can be better together.
6. Church Mergers Increase Momentum in Strong Churches
Whether a church is small, medium or large our common desire is momentum in alignment with the vision, through prayer and good leadership.
Regardless of the size, churches that have strength and momentum increase their potential for evangelistic reach and discipleship growth through merger.
Strong churches are typically characterized as growing churches with capable leadership, devotion to prayer, consistent in discipleship, and always passionate to reach people for Jesus.
It is a good idea to transfer the DNA of these churches into declining churches so they may also become strong and vibrant in their ministries. This “infusion” of life and leadership into a struggling church from a stronger church creates a huge Kingdom win.
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If you are considering a church merger, I recommend seeking the advice of a church consultant with merger experience or at least talking with a church you know that has successfully completed one.
Also, an excellent resource is the (expanded and updated) version of the book Better Together – Making Church Mergers Work by Jim Tomberlin and Warren Bird.
This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.
