Reviewing your
article on congregational amalgamations and growth, I think you are right: amalgamations
are no guarantee of renewed growth or vitality. After working with some major
amalgamation joint ventures in Calgary Presbytery over the past three years,
I have discerned similar insights.
Amalgamation is not a simple process: blending congregational cultures needs to be done on a 'merger of equals' basis, even if the participating congregations are of radically different sizes. Otherwise, the congregation that is perceived to be the one that is joining the other(s) will simply get lost, both in terms of membership participation and overall numbers.
Presbyteries need to play an active role in requiring congregations looking at amalgamation to utilize sufficient resources for solid outside planning and development consulting. Where the dollars have been spent up front on formulating a creative joint vision and plan, the results in my experience have been a renewal of energy and direction. Where, however, congregational leaders have been allowed to 'cheap out' on the forward planning phase, the results are under-whelming and as time moves on often reflect the kind of decline you describe in your article.
Most importantly, for congregational amalgamations to work, there needs to be a prior and overarching purpose or vision of ministry renewal that motivates the participants. At Living Spirit United in Calgary, even though there is still conflict and diversity when decisions are made, the participating congregations made it clear that their goal was a renewed community outreach in the Southwest of the city. This was the purpose for coming together in the first place, and that purpose now serves as a guide for setting priorities and determining plans. This is the critical element in amalgamations, to the point where I will not even work with congregations looking at amalgamation if they haven't first worked at discerning a broader vision for ministry.
Rev. Joel S. Den Haan
Congregational Development Coordinator, Southern Region, Alberta and Northwest Conference, The United Church of Canada
Congregational Life Newsletter Vol. 9 No. 3 August 2003