Warning: This post may create stress for those of you who have been living in denial.
The dirty little not-so-secret haunting a lot of nonprofit organizations - including faith-based ones - these days is that, because of the economic downturn, they're quickly moving from life on the financial edge to falling over the cliff.
All across the US and Canada, for example, there are congregations, judicatories, social service agencies, colleges and seminaries that are on life-support. For years, they have been draining their endowment funds just trying to pay salaries and keep the lights on. The whole point of their existence has become survival. Denominational leaders often just ignore the situation, unwilling to be viewed as church-closing or school-closing bullies. But, especially in light of the current recession, something has to be done.
Many nonprofits are being pressured by funders to merge with other organizations in order to reduce expenses and increase effectiveness. The current issue of the Standford Social Innovation Review includes a helpful article listing some of the pros and cons of merging. Merging is a great option for a lot of faith-based organizations, too. But it needs to be done well. Typically, by the time an organization gets to the point of being willing to consider merging, they've exhausted most (if not all) of their resources and are all out of hope.
It doesn't have to be that way. And it wouldn't be that way if the bottom line was doing what matters instead of , for example, saving our own skin or protecting our turf.
In other words, if people believe strongly enough in the purpose to which they've been called they'll be willing to do whatever it takes in order to make it happen.
That's why we think one of the keys to successful mergers (or any other risky venture!) is having somebody in the room asking purposeful questions to help people reconnect with who they are, why they exist, why they started (or joined) this work to begin with, and what really matters to them beyond their own survival. We're pretty sure one reason so many mergers end up failing is because nobody bothered to do this kind of groundwork on the front end.
Should your organization be thinking about merging for the sake of doing what matters? Don't wait until you're all so panicked you can't think straight. And, whatever you do, don't rush into working out the logistics. Give yourself time to think together with your possible partner(s) about the purpose you share and the things that really matter to you. Get to know each other. Let your love for the work you've been called to do – not fear – be the thing that pulls you together. Join hearts before you jump in the sack.
A merger can be a beautiful thing.
It really helps to have an outside facilitator asking these questions and helping people wrestle with them together. We would be happy to talk with you about how we can help your organization consider its options and/or more towards a merger.
- The difference between a good question and a purposeful one.
- How asking the right questions can transform the people in your organization.
- To lead more confidently and assertively (without being an arrogant jerk)
The workshop series includes webinar presentations, live online chats, and an invitation to join an online community of people wrestling with the same issues. You'll get study guides to help you use the recorded webinars with your own team. And you'll get a book to accompany each practice!
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