“One Church in Two Locations”Examining the merger between

First Baptist Fountain City and

First Baptist Powell Knoxville, Tennessee

By Lori A. Wright

Organizations, Innovation, and Change Educ. 6105-5Instructor: Dr. Weaver

Walden University

First Baptist Church Fountain City began struggling and saw a steady decline in members and budgetary needs.

In November 2006 First Baptist Fountain City formed a partnership with First Baptist Powell

First Baptist Powell provided funds and staffing for new programs at First Baptist Fountain City

“In the early stages the partnership was only an outreach program and we had no idea where it would eventually lead us” (M..Powell, personal communication, March 19,2010)

“The church was within three weeks of closing the doors unless something changed” (J. Smith, personal communications, March 19. 2010)

Treasurer Jim Smith and the Deacon board of First Baptist Fountain City, approached First Baptist Powell and asked if they would be willing to buy the failing facility and absorb it into a new location.

Banners display the Purpose Statement

Choir Robes

The church bulletin and additional information about the church activities

Business Casual Dress Code for office hours.

Mission Project Information

New Logo

Images used with permission from URL http://www.fbcpowell.org

New Website

Images used with permission from URL http://www.fbcpowell.org

New Website

Images used with permission from URL http://www.fbcpowell.org

“To fulfill the Great Commission by expanding a community of developers reaching the world around and Seeking God and seeing souls won to the Kingdom, Hold surrendered disciples and reaching the world with the message of the gospel”

(M. Powell, personal communication, March 19, 2010)

Connect First Baptist Church exists to glorify God by developing disciples that are connecting with God, growing together, serving others, and sharing the Gospel.

First Baptist Church exists to glorify God by developing disciples that are connecting with God, growing together, serving others, and sharing the Gospel.

First Baptist Church exists to glorify God by developing disciples that are connecting with God, growing together, serving others, and sharing the Gospel.

First Baptist Church exists to glorify God by developing disciples that are connecting with God, growing together, serving others, and sharing the Gospel.

The Elders ask for feedback from all departments and managers within the church as well along with personal communication with church members.

Leadership involves the members by using

verbal and written communication along with updates and business meetings.

“We sustain the change by continual self-evaluation, asking What are the problems? I’m in constant evaluation mode” (M.Powell, personal communication. March 19.2010)

Puzzle Piece.2010 Fbcpowell.org Retrieved April 18, 2010 from: URL

http://www.fbcpowell.org

Fbcpowell.org. (2010) Purpose Statement. Retrieved from URL

http://www.fbcpowell.org/connect/

Harshman, C.PhD. & Associates. (2000) A Summary of Leading Change: Why

Transformation Efforts Fail by John P. Kotter Retrieved from URL http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:vYlj5phLQLAJ:www.harshman.com/assets/uploads/files/Resources/Leading

%20Change%20Why%20Transformation%20Efforts%20Fail-

Kotter.pdf+failing+changes+in+business&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESg6wmbmfM8re0z8W2sjhuPA8mA_lslT9Q_X5du

nbGr858g9mVFXD1cU_uDtsH0zbAgdFf5-

rFU75Q_3XOAAf0lgMk_5tPbLZb_ea19IUvTpEwhdwHqVfNzTCIDuMbk9mjkf8J6Y&sig=AHIEtbS1SgfgPbzveErkDpd30w1ev9_6Eg

Beach, L. R. (2006). Leadership and the Art of Change: A practical

guide to organizational transformation. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage

Publications, Inc.

Laureate Education, Inc. (2009) Bligh, M. “Sustaining Change”

Retrieved from URLhttp//sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?

CourseID=3994750&Survey=1&47=6945817&ClientNodeID=984650&

coursenav=1&bhcp=1