Every church merger should affect the Dynamic Natural Acculturation (D.N.A.) of each congregation that merges and generates some form of new identity. The ministry challenge of the denomination is how to bring new life and wholeness to the churches while fulfilling the mission of the denomination-to make disciples of Jesus Christ. The United Methodist and other mainline churches are experiencing a decline in many oftheir urban and rural churches. The culture of the local church is pivotal to the life of the denomination; however, human behavior does order the direction of its future. God enters into covenant with humanity seeking to be in partnership and relationship with us. Declining churches that merge together seek to live out that covenant with hopes of developing a new identity in Christ while living the Great Commission. For the past four years I have facilitated the merger of three United Methodist congregations in East St. Louis, Illinois. Writing this thesis has helped me to accomplish the merger task through research and congregation development resources. Evaluation will continue through surveys and interviews of the congregation, groups, and individuals as the church grows. Other norms and ideas may die, but in death there is life through Christ Jesus.
