As a ruling elder who once served in the PCA and now serves in the OPC, I can say this merger was not about abandoning one denomination for another. It was about strengthening Christ’s church. We did not leave the PCA out of doctrinal disagreement or disillusionment. We left because we saw a providential opportunity to unite with a faithful congregation, share resources, and continue gospel ministry with renewed strength.

This is the third in a series of posts about being in North American Presbyterian and Reformed Churches (NAPARC) and showing an example of a successful church merger.

In late 2018, Christ Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Marietta, Georgia entered a season of transition. Our pastor accepted a call to another congregation, leaving us without a shepherd and facing the sobering reality of our financial limitations. As a ruling elder, I had the privilege—and burden—of helping guide our church through what would become a transformative year. What began as a pastoral search soon became a providential opportunity to merge with a nearby Orthodox Presbyterian Church and begin a new chapter of ministry.

A Budget and a Burden

Early in 2019, we formed a pastoral search committee and began working through our budget projections for the coming years. It quickly became clear: we could not afford to call a full-time pastor. Our building was paid off, but our giving and attendance had declined. We were not facing a doctrinal crisis, but we were facing a practical one. We needed help.

Years earlier, I had visited Geneva OPC—a thriving Orthodox Presbyterian congregation that met at Hope PCA nearby. I had asked their pastor whether Geneva and Hope had ever considered merging. He told me they had, but Hope wanted to remain PCA and Geneva wanted to remain OPC. That conversation stuck with me.

A Providential Connection

In 2019, I spoke with Dr. Will Wood, a professor at RTS Atlanta who had frequently supplied our pulpit and was seeking ordination in the OPC. I asked him about the possibility of merging with Geneva OPC and becoming part of the OPC ourselves. He connected me with Geneva’s current pastor, Ken Montgomery.

Ken and I hit it off immediately. We shared a similar philosophy of ministry, a love for confessional Reformed theology, and a desire to see Christ’s church strengthened. I brought the idea to our elders and deacons, and they were enthusiastic. We began a series of congregational meetings to explore the possibility of merging with Geneva OPC.

Transparent Conversations and Joint Worship

We notified our PCA presbytery and discussed the process from their perspective. We also brought the OPC presbytery into the conversation. Both denominations were gracious and cooperative. We held joint worship services with Geneva OPC, allowing our congregations to get to know one another and worship side by side.

Throughout the process, we encouraged open discussion. We wanted every member to feel heard. Some preferred the PCA’s form of government. A few worried the merger was driven by finances alone. One former pastor passionately urged us to persevere independently, as we had done before. Others saw the financial writing on the wall: without a merger, we might have to sell our property just to survive.

We emphasized that this was not a doctrinal departure. We remained grateful for the PCA and aligned with its theology and ministry philosophy. But we believed that merging with Geneva OPC would create a stronger, more sustainable congregation for the glory of Christ.

A Decisive Vote and a New Beginning

At a specially called congregational meeting—conducted in full accordance with the PCA Book of Church Order and our church bylaws—the congregation overwhelmingly voted to leave the PCA and merge with Geneva OPC. We became Christ Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Marietta.

Our first worship service as a merged congregation was held on December 9, 2019.

Some members chose not to join the new church. We let them go with our blessing and spoke of them only with love and respect. There was no bitterness—only gratitude for the years we had shared and hope for what lay ahead.

Reflections on the Transition

As a ruling elder who once served in the PCA and now serves in the OPC, I can say this merger was not about abandoning one denomination for another. It was about strengthening Christ’s church. We did not leave the PCA out of doctrinal disagreement or disillusionment. We left because we saw a providential opportunity to unite with a faithful congregation, share resources, and continue gospel ministry with renewed strength.

The OPC has welcomed us warmly. We remain committed to the same confessional standards, the same biblical convictions, and the same pastoral care. But now, we do so as a united body—Christ OPC—grateful for the growth we’ve seen since the merger, and eager to continue serving Christ together.

Source: Chuck Noren in Facebook