Church Mergers

Merger Learnings 2011 Leadership Network Survey

1.The majority of church mergers are between a “lead” church (usually larger

and healthier) and a “joining” church (usually smaller) rather than between

two equal churches.

2. The majority of mergers are initiated by the joining church.

3. The majority of mergers occur within 30 minutes driving distance of one

another.

4. The majority of mergers involve a name change, usually of the joining

church.

5. The average length of merger process beginning with initial conversation

to merger completion: 7 months.

Merger Learnings 2011 Leadership Network Survey

6. The majority of church mergers retain the senior pastor of the joining

church though usually in a different role than campus pastor.

7. Successful rated mergers report full integration within one year of the

merger.

8. Half of all mergers involving two facilities become multisite, a fourth sell

the facility, and a fourth use the facility for other purposes.

9. Mergers that become multisite report higher rate of success and

satisfaction than those who become mono-site.

10. The majority of mergers take a vote at both churches with an 80-100%

“yes” response.

Merger Models

Rebirth = a struggling or dying church that gets a second life or restart

by joining a stronger, vibrant and typically larger church.

Adoption = a stable or stuck church that is integrated under the

vision of a stronger, vibrant and typically larger church.

Marriage = two churches, both strong or growing, that realign with

each other under a united vision and new leadership configuration.

ICU = two struggling or dying churches that join together in an effort to

survive.

Church Merger Process

Three Big Questions to Address

1. Is this merger possible?

Determine possibility by the two senior pastors & church

boards.

2. Is this merger feasible?

Determine compatibility through due diligence in addressing all

the issues.

3. It this merger desirable?

This will be decided by a vote or poll at the conclusion of the

communication and due diligence process.

Church Merger Roadmap

1.Exploration/Dating (1-2 months) —

between the two senior pastors or leaders, then the two senior leadership teams.

“Is this possible?”

2. Negotiation/Courtship (1-2 months) —

between two senior leadership teams (Identify Issues, Create Due Diligence

Checklist, Develop Timeline) “Is this feasible?”

3. Implementation/Engagement (1-3 months) –

begins with the announced recommendation to merge to both

congregations(Recommendation, FAQ, Town-halls, Vote)

“Is this desirable?”

4. Consolidation/Wedding (2 weekends) –

Phased integration begins of two congregations becoming one church (Final and

Inaugural Service) “We’re doing it!”

5. Integration/Marriage (3-6 months later) —

(Post-Merger Evaluation) “How are we doing?”

Church Merger Model Circles

Church Merger Roadmap

1.Exploration/Dating (1-2 months) —

between the two senior pastors or leaders, then the two senior leadership teams.

“Is this possible?”

2. Negotiation/Courtship (1-2 months) —

between two senior leadership teams (Identify Issues, Create Due Diligence

Checklist, Develop Timeline) “Is this feasible?”

3. Implementation/Engagement (1-3 months) –

begins with the announced recommendation to merge to both

congregations(Recommendation, FAQ, Town-halls, Vote)

“Is this desirable?”

4. Consolidation/Wedding (2 weekends) –

Phased integration begins of two congregations becoming one church (Final and

Inaugural Service) “We’re doing it!”

5. Integration/Marriage (3-6 months later) —

(Post-Merger Evaluation) “How are we doing?”

Church Mergers