Change and the need to adapt to change are both inevitable and necessary for survival. The Holy Scriptures are full of stories of change and adaptation. Although congregations have been exposed to and know these stories, they fight change and adaptation until they breathe their last breath. They long for life to be the way they have always perceived it to be. In their administrative meetings, we often hear the following. "If only we would do things like we did in our heyday, then things would be okay. People will start coming back to church and our budgets will be met.” But people are not coming back. Instead they are moving on. The Church, if it is to survive, must change and adapt to the new world that now surrounds its empty buildings of brick and mortar, wood and stone. This thesis is about two congregations caught in the middle of recognized and unrecognized change. These two congregations have distinct identities and differing visions of their ministry. One sees the need for adaptation to the changes around them; the other is blind to the need to adapt. However, "The Called to Common Mission" document provides an opportunity to a shared ministry through a shared pastor. This shared ministry could offer hope and renewal to both congregations. This thesis describes the tensions inherent in negotiations and highlights how the monetary budget can dictate the ministry of the church and not allow the two churches to develop a shared vision of reaching out to this new world.
