Better Together: Making Church Merges Work

The seminal text """"Better Together"""" by Tomberlin and Bird (2012) is about churches merging in the North American context. Considerable emphasis is placed on the theological rationale for merging as a foundation to the range of practical strategies and case studies. Relevant to the rural context they address 'Long established churches facing dim prospects about their future, that are delighted to discover that a merger can translate their considerable heritage into a terrific foundation for a new or next generation' (p. 4). Tomberlin and Bird are realistic about the transformation process sometimes requiring a 'level of death, burial and resurrection, for the joining church to grow into the identity of the lead church (p5). This volume's consideration of the range of mergers features the struggling to survive amalgamation and benefits to mission. However they have not looked at isolated rural communities. The principles and appeal to Biblical analogy are helpful. Referring to a merger in Atlanta they report, 'The word partnership has changed the life of our church' as illustrated by the two boats combining for the miraculous catch of so many fish that they were about to sink (Luke 5:7). There is direct caution for congregations that would enter into partnerships with a stronger church to survive and preserve what they have without embracing change with a new vision or even 'rebirth' (p26). Tomberlin and Bird assert that the least likely to survive partnership is where…