When Churches Merge

Manoj Raithatha shares a deeply personal and reflective account of how two churches in suburban North West London chose to come together for the sake of the kingdom.

Having been closely involved in this complex and potentially emotive journey, I am grateful for Manoj’s heartfelt insights. His deep appreciation for our Baptist heritage shines clearly throughout his narrative. If more churches – like Pinner and Hatch End – can approach mission and ministry with the same openness and generosity, I am confident we will witness remarkable developments within the UK Church.

I’m pleased that Manoj has taken the time to commit his reflections to writing, and I wholeheartedly commend his thoughts to the wider Christian community, especially to those considering similar paths.

Rooted in Baptist theology and practice, this book is a timely and Spirit-led resource for churches considering the idea of merging. With an emphasis on covenant community, congregational discernment and prayerful dependence on Christ, it offers both inspiration and practical guidance for mission-minded Baptists today.

God is on the move in a wonderful way in the UK Church, and we need new and appropriate structures to support the growth and changing landscape. With his vast expertise in business, current role in local church leadership and national vantage point chairing the Evangelical Alliance board, Manoj is uniquely placed to speak into this area with authority and experience. When Churches Merge is littered with biblical references and theological reflection. It is grounded in hard-earned wisdom, honest about the pain and pitfalls, rooted in a real-life example and masterfully blends the spiritual and practical. It is a must for any leader considering structural change, partnering with other congregations or reimagining church life.

As a member of the National Team of the Baptist Union of Scotland, this book feels so timely. Many churches are finding their resources stretched, and yet have a deep desire to see God’s kingdom come. This inspiring and hope-bringing book speaks of a prayerful, Jesus-focused journey towards a different way of being church.

It is full of authentic wisdom rooted in real life, addressing the practical, earthy details of different personalities, preferences and fears, and the challenges of charity law, legalities and finance.

This vision of establishing one church, expressed in two localities, in a way that honours Baptist ecclesiology and the faithfulness of past generations, with real energy and intention towards growth and transformation, is something which even now I long to put into the hands of some of the churches I have the privilege of serving. I feel certain it will make a difference for the kingdom.

This is a book for those who love the Church and want to see it flourish.

Manoj sets forth the key theological and practical insights that he has learnt from overseeing the merger of two churches, which resulted in sustaining and growing the witness of the gospel in an area where there was the likelihood of a local church ceasing to exist.

It is essential reading for denominational heads, pioneers, church planters and all involved in the moderation and revitalisation of declining congregations.

This concise account of how two congregations in North London merged to become one church across two sites is full of Biblical principles that can be applied by other fellowships seeking a new way forward. It could be the model for numerous churches across Baptists Together as congregations link up and pray through God’s plans for them, and mergers like this may be the answer for many of the thousand- plus smaller churches in our union. Whether you are a smaller or larger church, may this story inspire you to work interdependently for the gospel as we are stronger together.

Most of us have probably heard much more about church closures and church plants than about church mergers. In When Churches Merge, Manoj Raithatha helps fill that gap by telling us the story of two North London Baptist churches, Pinner and Hatch End, who agreed to merge, becoming one fellowship across two sites.

Lest you imagine that this is the tale of a larger church making a power grab by taking over a smaller one, it’s the story of being sensitive to God’s prompting, valuing humility and relationship and stepping out in sacrificial generosity on the basis of God’s own vision for oneness. Manoj shares personally and vulnerably about some of his leadership learning along the way; there are testimonies from people involved as well as helpful practical discussions and an insight into the prayerful approach adopted in the process.

As the UK Church finds itself in what is being termed a missional moment, this book opens up a possible pathway for churches keen to see stronger local expressions of the universal Church.