Cooperative Parish Ministries

Consolidated Churches

A consolidated church consists of two or more smaller congregations of the same denomination that join to form one larger congregation. They have a common facility, which could be used by one of the congregations or an entirely new structure. The new congregations may use one of the former congregations' names, a combination of the former congregations' names, or an entirely new one.

Federated Churches

Federated churches are established when two or more congregations of different Protestant denominations form a single congregation and use the same facility. The members retain their own denominational identities; they maintain relations with their respective denominations; and they receive support from their denominations. Additionally, the members continue to make financial contributions to their respective denominations, which is often accomplished by a congregation's income being proportioned according to its denominational composition. Clergy are selected on an alternating basis from the participating denominations such that a minister of one parent denomination is replaced by a minister from the other parent denomination upon the expiration of his or her term.

Yoked Parishes

A yoked parish is two or more autonomous congregations, typically of different Protestant denominations, served by the same clergy person. The minister is selected by a committee comprised of representatives from each of the congregations. Each congregation maintains its own facilities, worship services, budget, and denominational affiliation, but cooperates on the clergy's salary and selected cooperative ministry programs. Each congregation's services, liturgy, and materials remain typical of its parent denomination.

Larger or Area Parishes

The larger, or area, parish is an arrangement of several congregations, usually (but not always) of the same Protestant denomination, who share clergy and staff, plan ministries, and coordinate church functions together. Each congregation maintains its own facility, which serves as a worship and ministry location for those who reside in that proximity. The larger parish typically uses a parish-wide governing board and establishes committees as needed.

Multiple-Church/Multiple Charge Parishes

A multiple-church, or multiple charge, parish consists of several congregations sharing one or more clergy that are intentionally organized as a group. This organizational structure differs from larger/area parish in that each congregation relates to its own governing board as well as to a parish-wide council.

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