Confessions of a Church Merger Pastor

article

by Jim Tomberlin, ChurchLeaders, CO

Description

This article contains an interview of a pastor who reflects on the experience of his congregation merging with an even larger congregation.

Features

insights into planning a successful merger for large congregations

Recommended Audience

Clergy and lay leaders

Cost

Free

Practical Applications

Draw from the experience of a congregational merger to prepare for your own.

Updated: January 08, 2025

About the Contributor

Tim Shapiro

President

Tim Shapiro is the Indianapolis Center’s president. He began serving the Center in 2003 after 18 years in pastoral ministry. For 14 years, Tim served Westminster Presbyterian Church in Xenia, Ohio. Prior to his pastorate at Westminster, he was pastor of Bethlehem Presbyterian Church in Logansport, Indiana. He holds degrees from Purdue University and Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

Tim’s interest in how congregations learn to do new things is represented in his book How Your Congregation Learns. After his extensive work on the Center’s Sacred Space initiative, Tim co-authored the book Holy Places: Matching Sacred Space with Mission and Message. He has also authored several articles, including Applying Positive Deviance and The Congregation of Theological Coherence.

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