Sacred Places Winter 2013 | Page 18

STRATEGIC INVESTMENT (continued) affect this value. One congregation runs a daycare program in its building, which meets building code requirements; the other building isn’t certified for daycare. If the merged congregation decides to move to the building that doesn’t meet childcare requirements, it will have to decide whether to end the program or spend money to bring the building up to code. This choice has financial impacts on the congregation and social impacts on the community. Partners recently presented its initial findings to both congregations. The aim of its research was to present a variety of factors that can inform good decision making. As Reverend Greg Holston, pastor at Mt. Carmel and Tioga says, “Partners is very good at giving us a holistic understanding of both church and community.” Partners also expects to work with the EPCUMC and congregations to raise funds to provide the following: • capacity-building training to strengthen congregational leadership, program development, and fundraising • in-depth planning for shared or adaptive use, including hands-on support for the long-term use of space for arts organizations and social servic