29 March, 2024

Two Became One: The Story of a Florida Church Merger

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by | 5 August, 2007 | 0 comments

By John A. Meisenbach

Could two churches in south Tampa, Florida, possibly become one? That”s the question we first considered in September 2002.

I was serving as minister of Palma Ceia Christian Church (established 1947), when I called David Ingram, chairman of the elders of Westshore Christian Church (established 1958), and asked about the feasibility of merging the two churches. At that time, Westshore was between ministers, and I sensed God”s call for unity.

After much prayer and discussion, the merger attempt was aborted in January 2003. Palma Ceia went ahead with a self-evaluation process and made plans to move forward, and Westshore hired a minister.

As a result of the evaluation process, many at Palma Ceia realized we did not have adequate land and facilities to realize our potential. Westshore, meanwhile, was situated on 4-plus acres in a much newer facility.

In November 2004, Ingram informed me that Westshore was again without a minister. He asked if I thought we should revisit the possible merger.

Elders of both congregations met together several times, finally deciding to approach each congregation to vote on merging our congregations (we called it “amalgamation”). The result was overwhelmingly positive””90 percent from both congregations voted in favor of merging.

In the spring of 2005, various committees with members from both congregations were chosen to suggest ways to “amalgamate.” On October 2, 2005, our first service as New Beginnings Christian Church took place in the Westshore facilities, with 450 people in attendance. I, the senior minister at Palma Ceia for 29 years, became senior minister at New Beginnings.

Amalgamation

Of course, a few people from both Palma Ceia and Westshore questioned and openly objected to the amalgamation. After our first six months together, leadership concluded that approximately 85 percent of both congregations had accepted the merger and were now worshiping together.

We sold Palma Ceia”s property and immediately distributed 10 percent of the sale price among the missions both churches supported. We have used some of the proceeds to pay off all indebtedness and to upgrade the facilities at New Beginnings; we are allocating all continuing interest money from the savings account to outreach ministry in our community.

Besides prayer and God”s divine providence, the single greatest factor contributing to the success of this amalgamation was an excellent transition team consisting of an elder, deacon, congregational member, and minister from each church (Steve Trinkle, former 17-year minister at Westshore Christian, accepted a six-month interim ministry to help with the transition process). This team met every Monday evening for nearly eight months to receive input of all the various committees that reported regularly.

Along with these people, the tremendous harmony among the elders of both congregations has blessed the process. With humility and vision, they are leading our attempt to become a church that can minister more effectively in south Tampa.

Challenges

Some of the greatest challenges have been trusting one another and a willingness to do ministry a bit differently than either church has done in the past. Before the amalgamation, each church averaged 150-175 in attendance. Now combined, we are averaging 365-400 per week. We feel that the sum (New Beginnings) is much healthier than either of the previous two parts.

Our combined and growing staff has helped us institute changes with relative speed. We have eight elders and 14 deacons.

I continue to be amazed at the interlocking elements that have fit so well into the New Beginnings mix! Of course, we heard a lot of “we do it this way” verbiage . . . but all members were challenged to listen politely but then continue to move forward. Though we stated early on there would be no “sacred cows,” we have accommodated a few, but I don”t believe the result has been especially negative.

Current programs are regularly reviewed, and transformed (or buried!) as needed. A trust factor has developed, and leadership now has more freedom to discern needed changes, and can implement them more easily. I must commend the eldership for being so open to everyone”s ideas and suggestions before deciding if they”re viable.

Support

Leadership has supported me better than I deserve, and I am grateful for their trust. Another key factor of this successful merger is the blessing of my loving, supportive, and caring wife! When I first mentioned the possible merger, she was not in favor of it, and she did a lot of praying and soul-searching before embracing the idea. I would not suggest that anyone try what we have done if the lead pastor”s marriage isn”t strong. My wife has allowed me to put in countless hours, without getting upset or angry.

New Beginnings Christian Church hasn”t achieved all of our lofty goals, but we continue to move forward with our vision to reach south Tampa with God”s love and grace.


 

 

John Meisenbach ministers with New Beginnings Christian Church in Tampa, Florida.

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