The word “merger” often evokes fear among pastors and congregants. Many worry that merging will mean the end of their church’s identity and traditions. However, many churches could benefit from a well-planned, healthy merger.

Most merger discussions stem from fear: fear of closure, financial instability, or a dwindling congregation unable to sustain church operations. I recently spoke with a church that expressed a desire to grow but admitted that no one was willing to take on the extra work necessary to make that growth happen.

Yet, when approached strategically and proactively, mergers can revitalize congregations, bringing renewed purpose and stability. There are four primary models of church mergers: Traditional Mergers (including a Hybrid Traditional Merger variation), Vital Mergers, Partnership Mergers, and Adoption Mergers.

Traditional Merger

A traditional merger typically occurs when two struggling churches join forces out of necessity. Both congregations hope that by combining their membership and financial resources while reducing facility costs, they can regain vitality.

The merged church usually selects the best facility—based on structural condition, HVAC efficiency, parking availability, and location. They then attempt to blend their identities, often by adopting a hybrid name that reflects the merger. In Better Together, Warren Bird and Jim Tomberlin refer to this type of merger as an “ICU merger.”

However, research suggests that traditional mergers rarely lead to long-term vitality. Many revert to their previous struggles within a few years. A common misconception is that attendance will equal the sum of both congregations pre-merger. In reality, attendance often settles around the size of the larger pre-merger church within a year.

Traditional mergers tend to resist significant changes needed to attract new members, often becoming “family chapels” that primarily serve their existing congregations. Consequently, they are not typically considered new church starts.

Hybrid Traditional Merger

A healthier alternative is a Hybrid Traditional Merger, which introduces key strategic changes to enhance the merger’s effectiveness.

 Reset the Congregation

The merger period creates a unique opportunity to reset the church’s direction. This begins with a deep dive into community demographics, often using tools like MissionInsite. Many congregants are unaware of shifting local demographics and trends, making this research crucial.

Develop a New Vision

Following the demographic study, the church should engage in a visioning process, ideally facilitated by an external leader. This ensures a fresh perspective and allows the newly merged church to reimagine its ministry focus and outreach.

Appoint New Leadership

Church leadership should also undergo renewal. Many churches retain the same leaders for years, making this an opportune moment to introduce fresh perspectives and energy.

Adopt a New Name

A new name signals transformation. Retaining the name of the host building can reinforce the status quo rather than fostering a fresh start. Avoid combining previous church names (e.g., merging “First Church” and “Grace Church” into “First Grace”). Instead, choose a name that reflects the congregation’s renewed mission and vision.

Manage Building Transitions

When vacating a building, consider repurposing it as a ministry center for community outreach, such as a food pantry or youth center. If sold, proceeds can be invested in renovating the new facility, fostering a sense of shared ownership.

By implementing these steps, a traditional merger transforms into a Hybrid Traditional Merger, increasing the likelihood of a thriving, healthy church.

Vital Merger

A Vital Merger is characterized by intentional planning and strategic realignment. Churches in a Vital Merger commit to the following key characteristics:

• Sell all existing buildings and relocate.
• Worship in a neutral location from day one.
• Refocus on mission-driven outreach.
• Receive a pastor assessed and trained as a church planter.
• Choose a completely new name.

Vital Mergers function as new church starts, often attracting previously unchurched individuals. They are more adaptable, as leadership roles are not entrenched, and traditions do not dictate their trajectory.

An example of a successful Vital Merger is New Leaf United Methodist Church in Conneaut, Ohio. Formed by three merging congregations with a combined pre-merger attendance of fewer than 200, the church grew to over 400 attendees within two years. Relocating near the local high school, New Leaf became a hub for community engagement.

An effective resource to use is Vital Merger: A New Church Start Approach that Joins Church Families Together.

Partnership Merger

A Partnership Merger occurs when two relatively healthy churches merge as equals to create a new congregation. Often, these churches operate as a multi-site entity, retaining separate locations while functioning under a unified mission and leadership structure.

This model frequently emerges when two churches share a common vision or when a long-time pastor’s retirement presents an opportunity for change. In some cases, an established church merges with a new church plant to combine stability with fresh energy and innovation.

In a successful Partnership Merger:

• Churches integrate leadership teams equally.
• Pastors often serve as co-pastors, leveraging complementary strengths.
• Overhead costs decrease while ministry capacity expands.

However, a key challenge is ensuring alignment in values and vision. If differences are greater than initially perceived, resistance to change can undermine the merger’s success.

Adoption Merger

An Adoption Merger involves a healthy parent church absorbing a smaller, struggling congregation. The parent church assumes responsibility for finances, ministries, facilities, and staffing, while the joining church relinquishes its autonomy and adopts the parent church’s name and identity.

As Tomberlin and Bird emphasize in Better Together, “Mergers have the best chance of success when they are unified around a clear, biblically-based mission and share a common theology and faith practice.”

Successful adoption mergers create mutual benefits:

• Parent churches expand their reach into new communities.
• Joining churches gain stability and access to broader ministry resources.
• The merger extends the legacy of the smaller church while revitalizing its mission.

Read Churches Adopting Churches: New Life for Healthy and Struggling Churches for a practical, how-to handbook for churches considering adoption. 

Conclusion

Mergers, when strategically planned, can lead to revitalized, thriving congregations. While traditional mergers often struggle, Hybrid Traditional, Vital, Partnership, and Adoption Mergers offer pathways to sustainable growth and effective ministry. By embracing change and focusing on mission-driven transformation, churches can ensure their long-term health and mission in their communities.