Some churches are establishing franchises around their metropolitan area, and even around the country. At least one of them is engaging in hostile-takeovers of other churches that fit the demographic profile desired by the megachurch's executive team.
Excerpt:
But ECC's growth strategy has caused alarm among many churches who fear being
targeted in hostile take-over bids. After scouting a target church, ECC recruits
a slate of church members to run for election to the church board. ECC woos church
members with direct mailings, phone calls and pleasant emails. If ECC's slate
is elected the church becomes an Evergreen franchise. Oftentimes the pastor is
removed or demoted.
"They swallowed us whole," says one former pastor
whose church was Evergreen-ed last year. "We didn't even know what hit us."
Read the news report from Lark News (here).
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