When Churches Merge - 'a coming together of God’s people'

Following the merger of two Baptist churches in 2023, minister Manoj Raithatha has now written a book reflecting on all aspects of the process, including the covenant theology that underpinned it, as well as the practical realities.

It’s not a book  for those seeking to replicate our model, he writes - rather, it’s written with the aim of ‘inspiring churches to talk to one another and to see what might be possible when we are prepared to pray, envision and work together’

The idea of merging with another church came suddenly and unexpectedly in 2023.

As a church in North West London, we had been growing steadily in numbers over recent years, and had even given thought to the idea of having a second service. But in my view, we clearly remained some years away from that. After all, by ‘Baptist definition’ we were a medium sized church with a number of empty chairs that still needed to be filled. This being the case, the idea of dramatically expanding our fellowship was not at the forefront of our minds, let alone the idea of ‘merging’ with another church!

Yet when the nudge came to do it, there was no question that God was in it.

To tell the truth, looking back, the ‘sign’ that the Lord might do something like this, leading two churches to become one across two sites, had been there to see many years prior. Around 15 years ago a couple from Hatch End Baptist Church (HEBC) visited my church of worship one Sunday morning, which back then was a large charismatic Anglican fellowship.

Over coffee, I listened intently as the couple from HEBC shared their desire to see their fellowship grow numerically. While they had a faithful congregation of approximately 15 members, their numbers continued to remain steady with little sign of change. As we discussed and prayed together, we came away with a strong sense that God might have connected us together. But what did it all mean?

Over the ensuing months, I connected with HEBC and linked them with another church who came and did a training day. My connection to HEBC diminished, though not without the recurring question, what had this all been about. Some years later, when I became the minister of Pinner Baptist Church (PBC) which was on HEBC’s doorstep, the same questions returned. And then it happened.

In March 2023, I woke up in the early hours with the word ‘revive’ coming out of my mouth. Believing this to be of God, I got out of bed to kneel and pray.

Things would become clearer a few days later when I found myself in conversation with Phil Barnard from London Baptists who informed me that HEBC faced the real prospect of closure as their trustees were looking to step down. With this came a persistent challenge: As a Christian, who is part of the body of Christ, and therefore joined to one’s brothers and sisters worshipping elsewhere, what was I prepared to do?

If I chose to ignore HEBC’s plight, focus on my church’s needs, then a visible, tangible Christian presence that had been ministering in that locality would disappear. But if I truly believed that the local church was an expression of the universal, I had to do something.

Over the following months, the two churches prayed individually and collectively. Regularly meeting together in small gatherings as well as church meetings, the matter was properly discussed before a vote confirmed that we were on the same page. By God’s grace we subsequently worked through the practical arrangements of becoming one church across two sites, something we would go on to celebrate at a merger service in October 2024.

When Churches Merge recounts our shared journey. The heart of the book centres on how ‘covenant theology’ informed our thinking. This merger was not a take-over, but rather a coming together of God’s people who continue to choose to walk together under the Lordship of Christ. I cannot emphasise how important this element was to our thinking because it gave us the maturity to move beyond a protectionist view of church to a more kingdom-minded perspective.

The book is in two parts. The first is ‘Our Merger Journey’, which I hope will inspire other churches to catch God’s vision for their locality through earnest prayer, and will encourage them to give careful consideration to how mission unfolds through community and covenant.

The second part is ‘Church Merger Reflections’, where I highlight the lessons learnt during the process we have been on.

Coming from a business background, I am very aware of how important the practical elements of any new initiative like this can be. Getting these right is just as important as the other, ostensibly more ‘spiritual’ elements, and when we don’t, people get hurt. So serious consideration must be given to administrative and legal factors when a church is thinking about stepping out into something new, be it a church plant, merger or holding a second service. When Churches Merge seeks to cover all these areas as well as the more obviously personal and relational.

But When Churches Merge is not merely a book for those seeking to replicate our model. Rather, it’s written with the aim of inspiring churches to talk to one another and to see what might be possible when we are prepared to pray, envision and work together.

We at Pinner Baptist Church didn’t think we were ready for such a step as we took – but the Lord had other ideas. Might He have something similar in store for you and your church?
 

Manoj Raithatha is the minister of Pinner Baptist Church, Chair of the Board of the Evangelical Alliance and part of London Baptists Small Church Connexion team.

He is the author of When Churches Merge: A Vision for Mission Which Puts Relationships First (Instant Apostle), which publishes on 21 November, and is available to pre-order from the usual places

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