Please join us April 3rd, 7:00 PM in the meeting room
for an opportunity to explore amalgamation.
We will hear a personal experience of Amalgamation
and have an opportunity to ask questions.
Please read through the background material below
to prepare for our time together.
Paper copies are available at church
or by contacting Rev. Tara Ann.
This event is being organized by our
Long Range Planning Committee.
What is Amalgamation?
Amalgamation is when two or more congregations choose to join together to make one congregation. All financial resources are combined, church governance is combined, and a new congregational name is chosen to reflect the new church they are becoming. Essentially “2 become one” in all ways.
What leads a congregation to consider amalgamation?
There are a variety of reasons for this:
1) a congregation may be faced with dwindling attendance
2) Financial concerns may make it difficult or no longer possible for a congregation to continue as they are.
3) A congregation may have a vision for a new ministry that is better lived out together with another congregation(s). This is where combined resources allow for more ministry to happen than when each are on their own.
4) Amalgamation is an alternative to closure, where the ministry lives on in a new way.
What is the process for Amalgamation?
Below is a summary of the steps involved, which includes: each congregation voting for amalgamation, having Regional Council involved, and having Regional Council approve the amalgamation. They would help guide us through these steps, especially with regards to finances and property.
But, we don’t need to begin with a vote, we can take our time through this process:
- Explore Amalgamation:
-allows for questions to be asked about the amalgamation process
-allows congregation members to think about how this impacts their ministry (pros and cons)
-allows time to consider what the needs are and all the options that could meet those needs (which can include amalgamation or other options).
-allows congregational members to share their concerns, and expectations for what could come from this kind of journey. - Negotiate Amalgamation
-If there is a desire to move towards amalgamation, we enter into a negotiation phase (vote happens to agree to negotiate)
-This allows for each congregation to think about and name what is important to them if they choose amalgamation
-allows for members of each congregation to discuss what to do about finances, properties, other important items etc.
-allows for congregations to consider what governance would be best for a new congregation
-allows time to consider a new name, vision and mission
-Allows for decisions about what they hope will be achieved from amalgamation
-there would be a negotiation committee, but reps would consult and with the individual points to be sure they are expressing the concerns/needs of their congregation - Vote on Amalgamation and terms Presented
-After negotiations a final report with recommendations are presented to each congregations to vote on.
-Recommendations would include but are not limited to: whether or not to amalgamate, what to do with properties, what to do with finances, governance and any other matters considered important to each congregation.
-Each congregation meets separately with a Regional Council representative to vote and decide either to amalgamate or not. - If Amalgamation is supported:
-A request is made to Regional Council for approval to amalgamate, along with all terms agreed upon.
-Regional Council reviews the request, and if all is in order, approves it.
-A date is set for when the amalgamation is official, and work is done to combine all resources. - If Amalgamation is not supported:
-the pastoral charge’s ministry returns to as it was.
-If needed, each congregation might return to assessing their needs and other options for meeting those needs.
Bideford Pastoral Charge 