How did this idea come about?

This idea came about because of many instances of Providential timing. As Pastor Kathleen was retiring this year, there needed to be a pastoral change for Highlands. Shepherds happens to be in a season of growth, especially among younger families. With Highlands great programming (especially with young people during the week) the connection made sense.

Who benefits from a merger?

Hopefully, the newly merged church and the Kingdom of God. Not the Conference –it does not financially benefit the District or the Conference to merge. This is a ministry decision, and it will be one made by the members of the two congregations at Church Conferences on March 24.

How is a merger different from other types of ministry partnership?

This is not a cooperative parish, and not a two-point charge. A cooperative parish is two churches linked together in some ways for mutual support. A two-point charge is two separate churches that share a pastor. This is a merger. Legally, financially, membership-wise, and in every way, the two churches become one church with two locations. One pastor, staff, bank account, budget, leadership team, etc.

Who would be the pastor, staff, and leadership of the newly merged multi-site church?

With Pastor Kathleen’s retirement, we would project Rev. Michael LeBlanc as the pastor of the new multi-site church. Pastors in The UMC are appointed in an iterant fashion, a year at a time. As the church grows, the Staff-Parish Relations Committee could request an Associate Pastor be added.

Staff will be added as a part of this merger to ensure the current mission of Shepherds isn’t slowed.

Staff

All the staff at Shepherd’s will remain. At Highlands, besides Pastor Kathleen, Luci is the only paid staff, and we would like her to continue in a role that fits with her gifts and interests.

Below, you’ll see information about a Conference grant that will allow us to expand staff to support this merger, if approved – to hire a campus director (with the ability to preach), a family ministries director, and a worship music leader.

Leadership Team

Both current leadership teams would be merged together. Shepherds uses a One Board Model of about 15 people. Highlands currently has about 6 elected leaders on various committees. All current leaders would be invited to join the merged leadership team. Then, the Fall Charge Conference process would provide an opportunity for anyone from the newly merged church to be eligible for a leadership role. This will be formalized in the resolution.

What would the worship schedule be?

At Highlands – July to October, worship would pause at the Highlands campus but be available at the Shepherds campus (9 am traditional, 10:30 am modern). This pause shouldn’t impact the people of Highlands too much because worshipping at Shepherd’s won’t be worshipping at a “different church,” just at a different location.

Mid-week ministries would be the focus at Highlands for the summer. Starting in October, launch a new worship service at Highlands. This location would have a worship leader, pastoral leader, kids director, and youth director. All of these staff would have specific roles for worship. Like most multi-site churches, worship would always be live, preaching would either be in person or from a video feed (although it would typically be live).

What ministries would be offered at each campus?

Midweek family ministries (youth and children’s ministries as well as adult bible studies) will begin at the Highlands campus starting in August. Ministries that have strong volunteer leadership (like the bread ministry) will continue as long as folks feel called to serve.

What happens to our church membership?

If the merger is approved, members of both congregations become members of the newly merged church. If they don’t want to be, can transfer, withdraw, or move membership to the general roll of UMC.

What is the proposed new church name?

The name of the church would be Shepherd’s Community UMC. This is subject to change as the two leadership groups come together and develop a renewed vision and mission.

What about the finances?

All accounts will be merged and be the assets of the newly merged church. Donor-restricted designated funds would need to be used for the purpose they were designated for. The assets will be managed by the new church led by the newly combined leadership team.

Who owns the properties?

Newly merged church owns the property, held in trust. All the assets of both churches would be utilized for the Kingdom of God and treated with the utmost respect. Any assets given in the honor of an individual or a group would either be utilized for ministry purposes, given to another church, or (as an absolute last resort) given to the Archives at Florida Southern for perpetual preservation.

What assistance will the District / Conference give toward this merger?

In anticipation of this merger, the discussion team applied for and received a grant of $50,000 which will help support the merged church’s advertisement, staff, and new worship service launch.