Apparently church growth now includes mergers and acquisitions.

A large church in our area just spent several million dollars to acquire another church property and turn it into its newest campus. We’re talking about what happened, what it means for the local church landscape, and why the whole thing feels just a little weird.

Meanwhile, Safety Harbor suddenly has a LOT of empty space now that the preschool has moved out. And, as you might expect, everyone has an idea for what to do with it. Offices? Classrooms? Community space? New ministries? Pickleball courts? Okay, hopefully not pickleball courts. Andrew is learning that empty rooms don't stay hypothetical for very long when church people know they exist.

Over at Lakeview, it was Move Up Sunday as kids and students moved into their new classes and ministries, officially signaling that summer is basically over.

Both churches are now in full-on back-to-school mode. Calendars are filling, ministries are restarting, families are finding their routines again, and pastors everywhere are pretending they’re ready for fall.

It’s mergers, acquisitions, empty buildings, moving kids, and figuring out what to do with the space God gives you, whether you paid several million dollars for it or just unexpectedly got the keys back.