How to Navigate Church Acquisitions

How do you handle another church approaching about acquiring them and coming under your leadership? What questions do you ask or need to think about before allowing?

We don’t use the word “merger” we use the word acquisition. Because merging means to take their doctrine, culture, and staff. But you don’t want all those things and have to be careful that in the negotiation process, you navigate all those things. You may not want their staff, their senior pastor, etc. So you need to be very careful in deciding what you want to bring. 

Make sure to ask them about their debt, income, budgets, and all finances. Make sure to set clear expectations and guidelines as you navigate the process. Find out how (if) you can use the original staff/leadership in the acquisition. Communicate to the congregation your passion and heart for them, but don’t compromise values, systems, and theology.