The need to merge churches is growing ever more crucial as congregations assess how to thrive in cultural diversity and ever-changing times. Every denomination faces the urgency to shift from maintenance to mission, and from survival to renewal.Church Mergers offers churches of all sizes and traditions practical advice on how to merge successfully. Authors Thomas G. Bandy and Page M. Brooks draw on decades of experience to illustrate why and how missional mergers are possible.Church Mergersguides congregational leaders and regional planners through the process of successful mergers. It shares the stories of four churches in the merger process, explaining the steps to assess their situations, build trust, and discern vision. The book offers guidance to assess the potential for merger, explore contextual relevancy and lifestyle compatibility, overcome internal and external obstacles, define strategic priorities, create new boards, build leadership teams, combine assets, and more.Church Mergersshows that a faithful, healthy, missional merger is possible, and it illustrates that the whole can indeed be greater than the sum of its parts.

Thomas G. Bandy is an internationally recognized consultant, conference speaker, and leadership coach for Christian organizations and faith-based nonprofits. Working across denominations and cultures, he coaches a range of churches. He is the president of Thriving Church Consulting and an associate and author with www.MissionInsite.com. He has been a pastor, planter, and church transformation specialist, and has provided national leadership for the United Church of Canada.Page M. Brooks is associate professor of theology and culture at New Orleans Baptist Seminary, where he specializes in theology and Islamic studies. An ordained minister, he has served in a variety of settings and denominations, including as a military chaplain and a pastor. He has planted three churches and experienced three church mergers. Currently he is the lead pastor of Canal Street Church: A Mosaic Community in the heart of New Orleans.

Chapter 1Why Merge?Chapter 2Unexpected VisionsChapter 3Get Moving!Chapter 4Steps on the Journey: Four Churches Model the Merge ProcessChapter 5The True Cost of Discipleship: Anticipating the Real Price of SuccessStage 1: PreparationChapter 6Trust: Foundation for Candid and Faithful ConversationChapter 7Vision Team: Trusted Leadership to Discern the FutureChapter 8Facing Reality: Critical Momentum and Critical MassChapter 9Breaking Control:Surrendering PrivilegesStage 2: PrioritizationChapter 10Hope: Opening to Gods GraceChapter 11Compatibility: Demographic Research, Lifestyle Compatibility, and Mirroring the Mission FieldChapter 12Setting Priorities: Measureable OutcomesChapter 13Stress Management: Living Between Grief and PromiseStage 3: A New BeginningChapter 14New Board: Credible Leadership for Critical MassChapter 15New Identity: The Symbol of a New BeginningChapter 16Asset Management: Resourcing Teams and MinistriesChapter 17Building a Core Team: Competent Leadership for Critical MomentumChapter 18Strategic Planning: Traction and SteeringChapter 19A New Beginning: Seven Years LaterChapter 20Essential Information: Basics for a Successful MergerChapter 21Critical Momentum: Creating Synergy to Keep Moving ForwardChapter 22Critical Mass: Essentials for Congregational Indpendence and Full Time MinistryChapter 23How to Get Traction: How to Get a Grip on the Road to MissionChapter 24How to Steer in the Right Direction: How to Arrive at Your Destination on the Road to MissionChapter 25Why Many Merges Fail and Some Succeed!