Letting Go to Let God Lead: The Story of Ballast Point Baptist’s Merger

When churches are faced with difficulties like declining attendance or pastoral turnover, thoughts of closing or merging often come up. For Ballast Point Baptist Church in Tampa, Florida, the vision for a greater Gospel impact through merger is what ultimately led them to join with another congregation, Davis Islands Baptist Church.

In the lastest episode of The Last Service Podcast, we heard from Tom Sander, who served for over 30 years at Ballast Point and the church formed through the merger, South Tampa Fellowship. Tom shared the remarkable story of how Ballast Point made the bold decision to merge despite not being in desperate circumstances.

A Clear Calling Amidst Challenges

When Tom joined as music director in 1994, Ballast Point had an attendance between 150-300. However, over the next few years, a string of pastoral departures - including legal troubles for one pastor - led to significant instability. Still, Tom sensed a calling to remain and revitalize the ministry.

"I felt there was so much more to do there. I knew it wasn't the end of the church," Tom says. With patience and steady leadership during the turnover, he cast a vision for how merging with a larger church could breathe new life into Ballast Point's location and reach the surrounding community more effectively.

The Merger Process Just a couple miles away, Davis Islands Baptist - an extension campus of a megachurch - was bursting at the seams with over 1,500 people attending multiple services each Sunday. When Tom learned this, he boldly initiated conversations about merging the two congregations.

While a few families at Ballast Point struggled to "give up their church," most of the congregation embraced the move after seeing Tom's heart and vision. The merger allowed Davis Islands to renovate and move into Ballast Point's larger building, while Ballast Point entered a revitalized ministry as part of the newly renamed South Tampa Fellowship.

A Legacy of Letting Go

Tom acknowledged the difficulty of a smaller church giving up its identity and autonomy in a merger. However, he advises churches to make decisions like this out of vision and calling rather than desperation. Seeing new life and families come in at South Tampa Fellowship helped Ballast Point's members let go of personal preferences.

The merger's impact became even more poignant for Tom when, around his retirement after 30 years of ministry, his grandson was baptized at the renovated Ballast Point campus. Tom's willingness to let go of what was familiar allowed for new beginnings and an enduring Gospel legacy.

"I'm just grateful for God's calling...and where He led me," Tom reflects. His story exemplifies how sometimes embracing an end can preserve and multiply ministry for generations to come.

Merging Churches: A Story of Humility and New Beginnings

Pastor Ernie Wagoner, planter and leader of Sojourn Church outside Atlanta, recently came on The Last Service Podcast to share an inspirational story of his young church merging with a 170-year old congregation, Paper Mill Road Baptist Church. 

The merger was born out of both churches facing pivotal and emotional transitions. Sojourn Church had been renting space from a small Lutheran church for Sunday services. But in 2018, the Lutheran church told Sojourn they would need to move out in early 2019. Ernie describes calling his fledgling congregation of 80-90 together in early 2019 to break the difficult news. “We have nothing on the table,” he told them. At almost the same time, Paper Mill Road Baptist Church found itself at a crossroads when their pastor of 17 years resigned. 

A Mutually Beneficial Kingdom Partnership

In God-ordained timing, a mutual friend connected Ernie with Paper Mill Road's leadership team. As they began exploring a potential merger, they found more and more missional alignment and relational chemistry. Paper Mill Road Baptist Church saw Sojourn, with its young, vibrant leadership and visionary spirit as a way to carry on gospel ministry on their property for decades to come. In turn, Sojourn Church joined their contemporary church plant with the rich 174-year legacy of Paper Mill Road, connecting their congregation to something much bigger than themselves.

Key Insights on Church Mergers

In my conversation with Ernie, several key insights on church mergers emerged:

1. Posture of Humility Critical: Ernie frequently mentioned the posture of humility from both congregations as crucial to a godly, kingdom-building merger taking place, rather than one simply trying to preserve their own institution. Paper Mill Road Baptist Church was remarkably self-aware of their declining capacity and need for fresh vision and leadership. Sojourn Church approached them not looking to take over, but to continue the beautiful ministry Paper Mill had maintained for nearly two centuries.  

2. Balance Organizational Leadership with Pastoral Care: Ernie described needing to lead firmly on issues of vision, governance, facilities and other organizational aspects critical to merging two entities. However, he also emphasized going slowly, listening intently to grieving hearts unsure of change, and honoring Paper Mill Road's stories and history. His ultimate goal was that they would feel fully embraced as part of Sojourn's family.

3. Merge to Something Bigger than Ourselves: A key takeaway was how the merger connected both churches more fully to Christ's global, eternal Church. For Sojourn's young congregation, they embraced the gift of being joined to a rich legacy much bigger than their own current story. For Paper Mill Road, entrusting their property and history to Sojourn's leadership represented a passing of the baton that gives them hope. More than maintaining buildings, their passion is to see the gospel continue advancing in their community.

A Conversation with Mark Elsdon on Church Property Transition

The decline of the American Christian church does not mean anything about God, says Mark Elsdon, editor of the book "Gone For Good? Negotiating the Coming Wave of Church Property Transition." While the number of churches in the U.S. will likely be far fewer in 20 years, and over 100,000 church properties may change hands in the next decade, this is not the end. 

"I think there's a lot of hope. I think there's a lot of potential for new expressions of what it means to be the church, for new ways for God to show up in our lives and in our communities," Elsdon said in a recent conversation on The Last Service Podcast.

Elsdon, an ordained Presbyterian minister and co-founder of the organization Rooted Good, brought together diverse voices for the book "Gone For Good" to examine the massive scale of church closures and property transitions coming in the near future. 

Yet this trend is catching many denominations by surprise. Elsdon said there's likely an element of denial at play, as well as decentralized national structures that leave middle governing bodies unequipped. Many react by simply putting up a for sale sign rather than thinking strategically about their property from a theological framework.

"...what I hope the book is doing is calling us to think a little bit more forwardly and a bit more intentionally about these decisions," Elsdon said.

The book also examines the "halo effect" of churches in communities. One study found the average church contributes $4 million of value to the local economy each year through hosting voting, AA groups, scout troops, food pantries, and more. Yet as churches decline, they often lose touch with their surrounding neighborhood. 

Elsdon pointed to one powerful example of a Louisville, Kentucky, church located in an under-resourced area. Though the church building itself was falling apart, the pastor was deeply involved in ministering to people's lives. They partnered with the city and others to redevelop an entire city block into an incubator for new businesses, retail space, and more, choosing to prioritize community development over fixing their own building first.

"Rather than prioritize fixing their own building, they first said, let's make a contribution to our neighborhood here," Elsdon said. 

In the midst of the pain and grief churches will face over closures in the years ahead, Elsdon finds hope in reimagining what it means to be the gathered community of Christ in a given place. "It is much more than simply getting together for worship to sing songs and hear a sermon on Sunday," he said. He believes listening to and understanding context is key for churches to faithfully steward the property they've been entrusted with in this season.

You can find Elsdon's book "Gone For Good? Negotiating the Coming Wave of Church Property Transitions" wherever books are sold online. Learn more about his organization Rooted Good at rootedgood.org.

A Church’s Final Act of Faith

In the small town of Elberta, Alabama, First Baptist Church had been in decline for decades. Despite having a beautiful building that could hold 200 people, attendance had dwindled to around 23 active members. As Pastor Mike Woods came on board, he performed an assessment that showed the church was nearing the point of no return.

Meanwhile, Pastor Mike kept noticing banners around town for The Point Church, a vibrant Southern Baptist mission church launched from a mother church in Pensacola. Pastor Mike reached out and soon realized that while First Baptist was dying, The Point represented new life and an opportunity to preserve the gospel witness in Elberta.

After fellowship services together, the congregations began to bond as long-lost cousins, rather than strangers. In early 2020, right before COVID-19 hit, First Baptist held a vote and decided to fully give their building and assets to The Point Church. This not only enabled gospel ministry to continue on the property for decades to come, but gave The Point a permanent home after having set up and torn down equipment each week.

The transition meant First Baptist Church would soon cease to exist. Pastor Mike had to help grieving members understand that this sacrifice enabled the light of Christ to keep shining in their town. Just as Jesus died so others could live, First Baptist was dying so The Point Church could thrive.

This Christ-like act took courage and vision on the part of First Baptist's leaders and congregation. As up to 5,000 churches close each year in America, stories like this reveal creative ways to pass the baton to new generations, even when it means the final service for a beloved spiritual home.

Navigating Church Closings With Compassion and Inspiration

The closing of a beloved church can be deeply emotional for long-time congregants. Often accompanied by feelings of grief, failure, and letting loyal members down.

However, church closures are increasingly common. And with the right guidance, these endings can be reframed as opportunities - to honor fruitful legacies, empower the community, and courageously start new chapters.

I spoke with Claire Bamberg, an expert consultant in church transitions, about how leaders can shepherd their congregations through this sensitive process with care, wisdom and inspiration for the future.

Destigmatizing Church Closures

There is often stigma around a church closing shop. After decades of baptisms, weddings and holiday services, it can feel as if “we’re failing our ancestors,” Claire explains.

In reality, church closures are rarely about shortcomings of the current congregation. More often, they reflect wider cultural shifts. The needs of surrounding communities transform. Younger generations engage differently. And for many mainstream denominations, the golden era of the 1950s will likely never return.

Yet the shame persists. “Anytime you need help, you must have done something wrong,” Claire observes. Churches feel they should heroically soldier on independently.

However, she strives to reframe closures as “an act of faith” - an opportunity to distribute resources to partners doing essential community work.

The key is legacy. “What do you want your grandchildren to say you were part of? How will our resources matter in the world?” This future-focused perspective can powerfully shift the narrative.

Knowing When to Have the Talk

With no judgement yet curiosity, leaders can start paying attention to certain indicators, like:

• Becoming more insular. Discussions revolve around solving internal problems rather than outward mission.

• Prioritizing the wishes of longtime faithful members over community needs and outreach.

• Struggling to find volunteers for key roles over extended periods.

An outside consultant can be invaluable for an objective assessment. They help surface all options in a non-threatening way, not forcing specific outcomes. Timing is also critical - acting before options narrow, but not jumping in prematurely.

Shepherding the Flock

For pastors guiding a congregation through major transition, Claire stresses, “humility, patience, listening and did I mention patience?”

Rather than championing their own vision, leaders must studiosly hear people’s grieving and attachment to beloved elements like the building, liturgy, pews where generations sat. Allowing emotional processing space before addressing logistics opens more possibilities.

Clergy also can’t get ahead of the congregation, Claire warns. “You cannot know before they do where they are going...You’ll be ostracized and resented.” Collectively discerning the best path forward may be slower, but garners more buy-in and unity.

Creative Paths Forward

Rather than a binary - stay open or close shop - there are creative middle paths. Churches Claire consulted with pursued partnerships, joint/shared ministries, multiple campuses, fully online models, and community service focus areas matched to specialized needs.

Letting go of the physical building, while painful, often liberates resources to meet more needs. One declining church sold their property, invested to sustain online worship, and gained more reach in that digital space - with added funds flowing to global missions.

Honoring the Legacy

Much care goes into planning a final closing service, if that path is chosen. This meticulously crafted ceremony strives to:

• Thank generations of members for their sacrifice and service.

• Uplift and celebrate the accomplishments, memories and gifts congregants gave to the wider community.

• Inspire people to carry values, relationships and partnerships forward into new forms of collective faith in action.

• Reassure everyone this is not an ending - rather a bold step through a threshold into fresh expressions of living tradition.

The mood is poignant yet hopeful. Former clergy return to participate. And long-time members mingle with newer participants and families to reminisce. The church leaves a powerful legacy for scattered descendants to feed future ministries and healing initiatives across the broader community.

In closing, Claire reminds leaders facing wrenching decisions, “Never place a period where God has placed a comma. There are always new beginnings.”

Legacy Churches: Embracing New Beginnings in Church Closures

I interviewed Stephen Gray, author of "Legacy Churches," to discuss the often-difficult topic of church closures and transitions. Gray brings decades of experience in church planting and consulting to shed light on how congregations can approach endings with grace, dignity, and an eye toward future impact.

The State of Churches in America

Gray notes that church closures are increasing, with an estimated 5,000-5,500 churches closing annually in the U.S. post-COVID. While this may sound disheartening, Gray emphasizes that closure doesn't equate to failure:

"Closing the doors of a building is not failing God. Things have closed that have represented Christ for millennia... It just means that we need to understand, like Christ, there is limited time that we have to do the work that God has given us."

Rethinking "Sacred Spaces"

One stumbling block for many congregations is the idea of their building as a sacred space. Gray challenges this notion:

"What makes a space sacred is God's presence with these people. Where two or three are gathered, there I am in the midst of them. A sacred space is where two or three are gathered in the name of God."

He encourages churches to see their legacy not in bricks and mortar, but in the lives touched and the ongoing kingdom work that can be supported through responsible stewardship of resources.

Planning for a Good Ending

Gray outlines several key steps for churches considering closure:

1. Honest assessment of vitality and mission fulfillment

2. Exploration of alternatives (revitalization, merger, etc.)

3. Understanding legal and financial obligations

4. Casting a vision for legacy impact

5. Planning a meaningful final service

The Final Service: A Celebration of Legacy

Rather than a somber affair, Gray advocates for final services that are true celebrations. He shares an example:

"We stopped and asked people in the congregation to share something that was valuable or important to you about what happened or how this church impacted your life spiritually. So the entire evening was all about celebrating what God had done, not the fact that we're not going to be able to walk back in the doors again."

Looking to the Future

Gray's message is ultimately one of hope and continued mission. He challenges church leaders to ask:

"What is the greatest stewardship of the resources God has given us? Is it to fight to keep the doors open at any cost and waste those resources, or is it to use the resources that God has given us in a very profound way to start something new or to give to somebody that's doing something new?"

By embracing the idea of legacy – supporting new ministries, funding church plants, or blessing other congregations – closing churches can ensure their impact continues long after their final service.

Conclusion

While church closures are never easy, Stephen Gray's insights offer a path forward that honors the past while investing in the future of God's kingdom work. By reframing closure as an opportunity for legacy, congregations can find hope and purpose in their final chapter.

Keywords: church closure, legacy churches, Stephen Gray, church transitions, final church service, sacred spaces, church resources, kingdom impact