Kristy works with New Campus Development for The Chapel, a multisite church in greater Chicago area. Since joining The Chapel in 2009 she has helped them grow from four to eight campuses mostly through mergers. Today's episode is full of insights from her on how church mergers work. Kristy is a bonafide expert in her field and provides a wealth of insights for churches considering working closely together. Make sure you have a way to take notes during this episode ... it's packed from the first minute with practical help for every church leader!

Interview Highlights

01:50 // 1-4 Campuses overnight!

02:05 // Struggling churches came to The Chapel for help

02:30 // Kristy's Role is to be proactive before a church closes down

02:36 // 1% of America's churches close every year

04:30 // First Question: Could we be better together?

04:50 // Both parties need to put the Kingdom ahead of their own desires

05:35 // Merge numbers aren't the whole story, but they look exciting!

06:00 // Rich shares about Liquids recent merger

07:15 // Kristy explains how to avoid being an 'ambulance chaser'

10:20 // Rich highlights Kristy and The Chapel's desire to help other churches

11:05 // Kristy shares other practical ways to support neighboring churches

11:30 // "It takes the whole church to present the whole Gospel to the whole world."

13:20 // Kristy has helped more churches merge with other churches than with The Chapel

14:15 // Jim Tomberlin and Warren Bird's book called "Better Together"

14:29 // Old merger math compared with new merger math.

16: 35 // Rich recalls an emotional story of an Elder from a dying church at the launch of a merged church

18:30 // Proactive approach to mergers isn't always initially received as positive

19:05 // Resistance is a great way to build a relationship

20:40 // No partnership ever happens without a move of God