The Relationship between Church Health and a Merged Congregation in the Kentucky Conferenc

Mosaic United Methodist Church was the result of five congregations merged by the Kentucky Conference through New Church and Congregational Development in June 2002. One congregation was African American and the other four were predominately Caucasian. The majority of the merged congregations within the Kentucky conference of the United Methodist Churches have struggled to survive. Nonetheless, the conference continues to merge congregations as they decline in numbers and resources.;This study provided both an understanding of the factors, influences and variables that allowed a merged congregation to become a healthy church. As a result, this study sought to provide an understanding of the factors, influences, and variables that allowed a merged congregation to become a healthy church. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to enhance church health in a merged congregation in the areas of evangelism, discipleship, mobilized laity, empowered leadership, and authentic community. The study analyzed the connection between church health and these five areas in one merged congregation called Mosaic. The findings demonstrate a positive relationship between church health and church merger. The study covered the remaining five healthy characteristics.