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Church fusion

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A  vision  to  move  forward:
KCC  and  LVCC  Together  On  Mission


Looking outward to our world and our community, we recognize that things are not
They are as they should be. God's heart breaks as His people continue
dividing, and the reconciling power of the Gospel is not being lived in its fullness. There is a
need in Kerman for a church that reflects our multicultural community,
multigenerational and promote the Kingdom of God.
As the Body of Christ, it is our call and desire to make disciples of Jesus. We believe that
best way to carry out this mission in Kerman and in the world is to unite as one
body, with LVCC adopting 1 to KCC in its family structure. LVCC as leader and KCC as
church that unites with it, we seek to advance more effectively together in the mission to reflect and
reaching out to our multicultural and multigenerational community for the Kingdom of God.
Why are we better together?
We believe that we are better together because:
1. We will leverage the resources and manage the time, talent and treasures of the
body more effectively, strengthening our church ministries.
2. We will uniquely position and prepare ourselves to be missionaries within
our growing city and neighboring communities.
3. We will effectively meet the needs of multilingual families and create new
connection routes for the whole family.
4. We will create more clarity and less confusion when communicating who we are and what we do
as a church on the corner of 180 and Del Norte.
5. We will enrich the body of believers by creating a loving place of belonging to
everybody.
How do we feel that God is leading us?
More than fifty years ago, KCC was planted to be a church for this community, to
provide "fellowship and further development of the Gospel." God gave KCC the vision of
plant LVCC, a Spanish-speaking congregation, as there was a need and a
opportunity to promote the Gospel in a larger part of the community. Both churches
They thought the vision could be achieved separately, but God continued to draw us closer on mission!
and ministry! The unifying work of the Holy Spirit began to fuse hearts and ministries.
Let's see the proofs for this:
• Combined efforts to facilitate Easter in the Park's reach.
• Teamwork among women to raise money and attend the Women's Triannual
2013.

1 Adoption mergers are usually stable or stagnant churches that are integrated under the vision of a church
louder, more vibrant and typically larger. Tomberlin, Jim; Bird, Warren. Better together: Make the
Church Mergers Work (Jossey-Bass Leadership Network Series). Wiley. Kindle Edition.
• The hiring of Pastor Paul DePledge, who brought an open stance to the
 
Connection.
 
• LVCC members who play key roles on the KCC staff.
• Relationships forged in the creation of the “Gift of Blessings” ministry
• KCC women participating in the LVCC ladies' meetings every month.
• The fusion of Sunday Bible studies for all ages.
• The merger of both youth ministries.
• Potlucks each month bringing together all paid and volunteer staff.
• Collaborative efforts to raise funds and resources to send to students
to CHIC.
• LVCC's generous contribution to resurfacing the parking lot.
• VBS's growing collaboration with the community.
• Together reaching out to our community to meet known needs.
•  The Mrs. Knowles teaching and both congregations participating in the English class.
• Collaboration in the midst of the pandemic to make the connection accessible to both
congregations as well as those of our community.
• LVCC's desire and challenge to launch an English-speaking service, with
both congregations identifying that alone they were not successfully reaching the entire
community.
It has been this evidence and this history that has attracted both Leadership Teams ago.
many months to corporate conversation and prayer. Both Leadership Teams, to
Through the discernment and understanding of the Holy Spirit, they have been brought to this vision,
to unite as one church. God has brought us together and continues to bring us together, confirming His
leadership every step of the way. Together we reflect the community we reach and the
Gospel we preach.

We are better together in mission.

Because Christ is our peace: of the two peoples he has made one, overthrowing by means of his
sacrifice [a] the wall of enmity that separated us, 15 for it annulled the law with its commandments and
requirements. This he did to create in himself from the two peoples a new humanity by doing
peace, 16 to reconcile both to God in one body through the cross, for which he gave
death to enmity. 17 He came and proclaimed peace to you who were far away and peace to those who
they were close. 18 For through him we have access to the Father by the same Spirit.

Ephesians 2: 14-18

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ADOPTION

"FAQ"

THE FUSION

How do the two churches "merge"?

There are a few different models of church mergers, but we have chosen the “adoption” model.
because we think it fits our context better. An adoption model is when a
stable or stagnant church is integrated “under the vision of a stronger, more vibrant and
typically larger. As an adopted child, they take on a new name and relationship, but
they also add a dimension to his new father that makes the whole family better. ”Although Kerman
Covenant Church will be the “adopted” church, as we move forward, together we will become
a healthy, missional church.

DOCTRINAL BELIEFS, GOVERNANCE / AFFILIATION / PHILOSOPHY / VISION / VALUES /

DISCIPLESHIP STRATEGY.

Kerman Covenant and La Vina Covenant are members of the Evangelical Covenant Church
(ECC) and the merged congregation will also be a member of the ECC.
As a denomination, the ECC draws its doctrine from the Scriptures and Covenant Affirmations.
La Vina Covenant Church is a missional, multicultural and multigenerational church in
movement with God on mission. This vision, values and philosophy that have guided La Viña Covenant
for sixteen years they will continue to lead the merged congregation.
Both La Vina Covenant and Kerman Covenant have followed the government model of the
leadership team and will continue to do so in the merged congregation. The Constitution of the
Iglesia del Pacto de La Viña will be the constitution of the merged congregation.
The Discipleship Strategy used by La Viña Covenant will continue to be the strategy of
the merged congregation. Membership and discipleship are discussed below.

2

WORSHIP / PREACHING


What will the worship culture be on Sunday morning?
We will have two services, one in English and one in Spanish. Both will reflect and encourage
multicultural and multigenerational community that we want to be and we want to reach.
Who is going to preach?
The responsibility to preach for both services will be shared between a preaching team
composed of pastoral staff and lay preachers. Mainly Pastor Michael Jordan
will preach at both services. We anticipate presenting the same topic in each service.

MEMBERSHIP / MISSION and MINISTRY

What are the requirements to be a member of LVCC?
The membership requirements for LVCC are similar to the KCC requirements:
• Be a believer.
• Get baptized.
• Take the LVCC Membership Conversation class.
• Fill out a membership application.
• Sign the membership agreement.
• The LVCC leadership team will then process the membership application and approve it.
• The names of the new members are then published in the church bulletin for two weeks.
before the official public announcement of membership.
• Public announcement - Official reception by the membership
How will current KCC memberships transfer?
KCC members will be required to participate in the LVCC Membership Conversation class. This
It will allow KCC to better understand who LVCC is, what is its mission, vision and discipleship process. To the
end of class, participants will be asked to sign the LVCC membership agreement
to complete the transfer process.
Which KCC missionary supports and ministries will be transferred to LVCC and which ones will be eliminated?
gradually?
• LVCC will continue with all mission support for one year after the completion of the
fusion. After one year, the LVCC leadership team will review and reevaluate whether
continue with additional support.
• All ministries will be reviewed and evaluated to determine effectiveness in moving forward
the mission and vision of LVCC.
Current KCC Mission Support List:
• Kerman Christian School
• Nate Smith - InterVarsity
• Ben and Emily Mooney - Bethel Ministries International Guatemala
• Ken and Adrienne Satterberg - ECC France
• Kerman Care Center
• Kerman Food Bank

3

STAFF, LEADERSHIP AND NAME

Who will be our pastors?
Pastor Michael Jordan, as senior pastor of LVCC, will be the senior pastor of the church
merged. As we prepare to merge the two congregations, Pastor Paul DePledge
continue to preach as needed, provide pastoral care, and work with leadership
to successfully navigate the transition plan. With prayerful consideration, Pastor Paul has
determined that when the transition is near completion, his ministry in Kerman will come
to an end, and he and Grace will seek a new ministry call.
Who will be on the staff of the "merged" church?
• Chelsea Weber will remain part of the paid staff and will continue to work time
complete as a pastor of children and youth.
• Reyna Valencia will assume a full-time paid position as an administrative assistant.
• Sheryl Betancourt will continue to serve in the Worship Ministry as part of a growing
volunteer staff.
• Paul Betancourt and Sandra Mendoza will be part of the Pastoral Staff as interns.
• Current custodians will continue in current positions.
Who will be on our leadership team?
Our Leadership Team (Elders) will consist of four of the five current members
of the LVCC Leadership Team and two of the current members of the KCC Leadership Team:
Will Nord and Doug Clayton. Those members of the current KCC Leadership Team will assume other
important roles as we move forward.
What will be the name of the "merged" Church?
The name of the new church will continue to be La Vina Covenant Church. The merged church
will present something extraordinary and new to the community, so a lot of thought was put into the
possibility to rename the new merged body. However, consciousness and
Community interest in the growing ministry of La Viña CC led to the decision to
take advantage of that "name recognition". Continuing with the "name recognition" of
Kerman Covenant Church through our long presence here and the involvement
continuation of our members in this remarkable new church. Our hope is that all
body identifies with joy and pride with the church of the multicultural and multigenerational Covenant
called La Viña Covenant Church.

4

FINANCE AND PROPERTY

How will the finances of the church be managed?
We recommend continuing to use Aplos as your accounting software.
(We also recommend that the new leadership team determine which fiscal year we will use.)
What will happen to the property title?
The property is ours (not mine and theirs). KCC and LVCC will bring all the properties,
facilities and equipment to fusion. As a property of the church joining KCC, the facilities
and the team will become part of LVCC on the merger. Our PSWC can help us register
any title issues with the state of California.
What about the Christian school?
Bob Cain will meet with the La Viña Leadership Team and explain the history and relationship with the
Christian School. The lease agreement with Kerman Christian School will be honored and
revised at the end of the first year. We intend to strengthen our relationship with Kerman
Christian and we look forward to continuing the ministry together.
How will the buildings and grounds be maintained?
Juan Cantú will share with the members of La Viña about the care and maintenance of the
property.

ADOPTION PROCESS

How will the merger be decided?
• The idea of a merger will be presented in April 2021.
• The discussion will take place within and between the two churches. Voting will follow the rules
established by the statute of each church with its rules of quorum and required majorities.
A majority vote is required for each congregation.
• Each church will take a vote on June 6.
• If both churches agree, we will begin the joint service in November 2021.
• If both churches do not agree, we will continue as we are.

THE GENERAL TIMELINE
Of Adoption


Phase 1 Exploration: Fall 2020- The KCC Leadership Teams and
LVCC determine the possibility of a church merger

Phase 2 Negotiations: January-February 2021-The Leadership Teams
They address 25 questions to determine the practicality of a merger.

Phase 3 Declaration: April / May 2021-Announcement of Merger and Voting /
Survey to Determine Convenience

o Launch of The Vision: April 11, 2021
o Dialogue and Prayer about the vision
o Tuesday, April 20, 2021 - 6:30 p.m. with The Leaders
by CGs
o Wednesday, April 28, 2021 - 6:30 p.m. Meeting
Congregational
o Friday, May 21 and 28, 2021 - 6:30 p.m.
Congregational Worship and Prayer
o Sunday, June 6, 2021- Voting
o Sunday, June 13, 2020- Voting Result

Phase 4 Consolidation: November / December 2021- The Final Service
Celebrate the Past and the Inaugural Service Begins a New Chapter.

Phase 5 Integration: as of December 2021, the Team of
Execution of the Adoption supervises the implementation of the mergers