Dear United & Sanctuary,
On Sunday, Dec 1, 2024, Ralph and I stood together and read the attached letter of intent-which is a more official statement that we as two elder boards intend to continue to move forward in the process of becoming one church. The letter outlines the next step in that process which is to determine the feasibility of merging through the use of the resources provided by the book Better Together. We have also attached the list of the topics we will be discussing. Please let us know if you are interested in joining the steering committee in diving deeper into some of the areas addressed on this list by January 11th. As always, please continue to join us in prayer as we discern the path ahead.
Blessings,
Amy & Ralph
Council Presidents
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Having considered and discussed the possibility of joining our two congregations, the governing boards of Sanctuary CRC and United EFC state our intention to proceed towards a merger of the two churches. Feeling led by the Holy Spirit, we propose to take this action after multiple years of prayer and thoughtful meetings, believing that the combination will strengthen all of the ministries that we both hold dear.
The first step will be to examine the attached list of issues drawn from the book, Better Together, and any other issues that may arise. The examination will seek both to identify our differences and also propose measures to resolve them. The process will be led by a joint committee composed of Amy Mitchell, Bob Kunde, Ralph Graves, and Frank Troth. Members of either congregation who have interest in the process can volunteer to help and will, at the discretion of the committee, be invited to join the work. We do not anticipate that every detail will be resolved, but we shall try at least to identify a path to eventual resolution of each issue item.
Provided the examination results support proceeding with the merger, the second step will be to draw up a Memorandum of Understanding describing the merger in sufficient detail for the two congregations to vote in accordance with their respective governance documents.
While the decision regarding joining our two congregations will not be final until the two bodies vote, the two boards support moving forward and believe we have the concurrence of a majority of the members of our two churches. We are encouraged by the experience of worshipping together over more than two years, and we believe that we, our neighbors, and God will be better served if we become one church.
As leaders, we will continue to seek your prayers in support of this task. We ask the Lord to steer and bless the combination of our congregations.
Amy Mitchell
Ralph Graves
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25 Issues to Determine Feasibility and Proceed Towards Church Merger. From Better Together.
1. Theological beliefs. How can we resolve any issues of belief or practice over which we disagree, if any?
2. Governance. How similar or different are the two churches when it comes to local church governance? What should governance in the merged church look like? How should we develop joint governance documents?
3. Affiliations. What changes will be made to the existing CRC and EFCA affiliations?
4. Mission. How does each church answer the question, “Why do we exist?” What should be our joint answer?
5. Vision. Are there differences between how the two churches answer the question, “If we succeed in fulfilling our mission as a church, what would our church look like ten years from now?” What should be the vision of a merged church?
6. Values. How similar or divergent are our respective values? What set of values might a merged church adopt?
7. Discipleship Strategy. How similar or divergent is our discipleship pathway?
8. Worship Style. How similar or divergent were worship styles when we were separate? What style should we adopt going forward?
9. Preaching. Who will bring the Sunday messages to the congregation?
10. Membership. What are existing requirements for membership in each church? What should they be in a merged church? Will membership transfer automatically?
11. Programs. What church programs and ministries are untouchable? How can the menu of programs be integrated?
12. Budget. What priorities do the two budgets reflect? What process can merge our budgeting and financial activities?
13. Expectations. How does each congregation understand the merger relationship? What definitions or clarifications are needed?
14. Pastors. Who would be pastors in the merged church? What would be their roles?
15. Boards and Committees. Will existing boards and committees be integrated? How?
16. Staff. Would any changes be needed to existing job descriptions, pay levels, benefits, contracts, and supervisory relationships?
17. Missionaries. How will funding support and relations with missionaries and outside organizations carry forward?
18. Lawyer. Do we have legal counsel for the merger?
19. Church Name. What might we be called? How should the name be decided?
20. Voting. How will the decision to merge be decided? What do existing bylaws require?
21. Dissolution. Will one or both churches dissolve? What do state laws dictate?
22. Property/Facility. Will there be any changes to currently owned property? What are legal requirements for transfer?
23. Assets and Liabilities. What tangible assets do the two churches bring? Are there inventories? What liabilities exist and how should they be treated?
24. Debt Management. Does either church bring debt?
25. Timeline. What events need to happen towards a merger? When can milestones be met?
