By Jim Tomberlin, Church Solutions Magazine, Oct. 2008

One of the significant developments in the multisite church movement is the growing number of church mergers occurring across the country. Increasingly, church mergers are becoming a viable option for yielding healthy multisite churches.

Unlike church mergers of the past that typically were the “last gasp” efforts of two struggling congregations, these mergers have a different look and feel. They are not hostile, forced or desperate. They typically involve one, if not two, healthy congregations. They emerge out of a shared vision, strategic planning and common geography. They are less about win-lose and more about win-win relationships, and their synergy is greater than the sum total of the separate congregations. Most importantly, they are vision-driven and motivated by a desire to leverage resources for maximum Kingdom impact. The recent merger of two prominent churches in the Phoenix Metro area – Word of Grace in Mesa and CitiChurch of Scottsdale – into City of Grace Church is a good example of two streams coming together to form a rushing river that will transform the landscape of the Valley for good.

According to church experts, the majority of churches in America have plateaued or are dying. Hundreds of congregations close their doors every year. The majority of Americans are essentially unchurched. Imagine the results if thousands of struggling congregations in desperate need of vibrant ministry could join the small number of energetic congregations in desperate need of space. Imagine if local congregations decided they could reach more people and serve their communities better by uniting as one church in multiple locations. We could see a revitalized Church that could have a profound impact upon the social landscape across the nation.

In the fall of 2006, The Chapel of Lake County, Ill., became a multisite church in four new locations. Three of those locations were pre-existing churches, but each one had a different merger story. One was a church building for sale without a congregation. A second was a struggling congregation of 50 without a pastor. The third was a solid congregation of 800 whose founding senior pastor was ready to make a ministry transition. Each one had a different journey, but all three transitioned into successful, strong local congregations who are healthier than before their merger.

Five of the 12 campuses of LifeChurch.tv are the result of churches of different sizes and in different locations taking the step to become a part of what God is doing through LifeChurch.

Similarly, Living Hope Church in the Vancouver-Portland area has grown to 15 campuses. Six of their locations (including their original campus) had declining congregations and wanted to come under their banner. Today, all are flourishing Living Hope congregations.

If you are feeling an urge to merge your congregation, consider the following:

1. Begin with vision.
Vision is the starting point of any successful merger. Does it make Kingdom sense to join forces? Could both congregations be stronger by teaming up under one name and vision? Could they accomplish more for the Kingdom together?

2. Define the relationship.
Each merger has a unique footprint. There is no “one size fits all” formula. Some are like a marriage, others like an adoption; some are more of an absorption. A simple diagram can be helpful in defining the relationship early in the merger conversation. It sets the right expectations up front and reduces misunderstanding from occurring later in the journey. Which of these three circles best describes your understanding of the potential merger?

3. Build on common DNA.
Like any new marriage, the more that two congregations share in common, the less difficult the adjustment. The closer the DNA of two congregations, the less traumatic the transition. The less of a match, the more dramatic the outcome. What common beliefs, values and culture do the two congregations share? How much of the DNA is a match?

4. Integrate unique strengths.
What does each congregation uniquely bring to the table? What are the assets to leverage – teaching, best practices, staff, money, facilities, location, reputation, history? What are the individual strengths that can complement the union? What can be affirmed from the past history? What can be celebrated and incorporated into a future together?

5. Identify the differences.
Building on the common DNA and unique strengths is the right foundation, but ultimately, the differences between the two congregations will cause the most tension and demand the greater degree of attention. Most mergers underestimate the difficulties in navigating the small degree of differences, especially cultural ones. What are the differences that could derail this merger?

6. Know the financial realities.
What is the financial condition of both congregations? Are there cash-flow problems, debt or salary incongruities? How much will it cost to renovate and upgrade? Can the churches afford this merger? Is the return worth the investment?

7. Leave no stone unturned.
Besides the issues already mentioned, don’t forget to address denominational ties, governance, titles, staff and ministry programs. Will you integrate, reassign, replace, redefine, eliminate – or a combination of all – when it comes to elders, deacons, staff, programs and affiliations?

8. Establish a timeline.
When two congregations conclude that the potential benefits of merging outweigh the drawbacks of staying separate, then the merger process can begin. Some happen quickly and are done within a year, others take longer. There are a lot of moving parts, but the basic stages are:

• Exploration – between the two senior leaders
• Negotiation – between the two senior leadership teams
• Implementation – phased integration of the two congregations
• Consolidation – one church in two locations

9. Do a God check.
Finally, but most importantly, is there a profound sense that God is in this? In spite of the bumps along the way (and there will be bumps!), is there a clear, compelling awareness that this is something the Holy Spirit has orchestrated? Does this feel like a God-thing? Is there a strong feeling that “if we don’t do this, we are being disobedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit”? Don’t move forward with a merger if you don’t see God’s fingerprints all over it.

Video technology has fueled the multisite church movement by allowing transformational teaching to go to rural and urban environments that historically could not sustain dynamic teaching and high-quality ministry programs. Vision-driven, stewardship-motivated, resource-leveraged church mergers are a logical next step. Many different models of multisite churces will become common in the next several years and will bring revitalization to thousands of churches across the country.

Solomon wrote, “Two are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.” Is your congregation feeling the urge to merge?

Jim Tomberlin is a pioneer and strategist in the multisite church movement. He’s pastored a church in Germany, grown a megachurch in Colorado Springs, Colo., and pioneered the multisite strategy at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Ill. With a Master of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary, he has three decades of pastoral experience to help churches fulfill their destinies.