Arrangement aims to keep faiths going as attendance wanes

Changing times in terms of faith and finance are bringing two churches of different Christian traditions together. A Lutheran church and an Episcopal parish in Raytown share some common beliefs. They’re also about to share a minister. The Rev. Orrin Cummings, a Lutheran pastor at Blue Ridge Trinity Church, will start serving a second congregation this weekend after his initiation at St. Matthews Episcopal Church. “You know, we’re just about a mile away from each other,” Cummings said. The churches’ plans to share a single minister is a sign of the times that’s one part financial and two parts theology. “We’ll live into this and figure it out as we go along,” said Cummings. “This is not all money-driven, but it’s a reality that churches are struggling,” said the Rev. Martin Field of the Diocese of West Missouri. “We can exchange one another’s clergy,” said the Rev. Roger Gustafson of the Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. “A Lutheran pastor can function as leader in an Episcopal parish and vice versa.” The plan is part of a way to keep two faiths growing when church attendance is not. Cummings said his message to serve the Lord won’t differ. “I’m a Christian,” he said.

Changing times in terms of faith and finance are bringing two churches of different Christian traditions together.

A Lutheran church and an Episcopal parish in Raytown share some common beliefs. They’re also about to share a minister.


The Rev. Orrin Cummings, a Lutheran pastor at Blue Ridge Trinity Church, will start serving a second congregation this weekend after his initiation at St. Matthews Episcopal Church.

“You know, we’re just about a mile away from each other,” Cummings said.

The churches’ plans to share a single minister is a sign of the times that’s one part financial and two parts theology.

“We’ll live into this and figure it out as we go along,” said Cummings.

“This is not all money-driven, but it’s a reality that churches are struggling,” said the Rev. Martin Field of the Diocese of West Missouri.

“We can exchange one another’s clergy,” said the Rev. Roger Gustafson of the Central States Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. “A Lutheran pastor can function as leader in an Episcopal parish and vice versa.”

The plan is part of a way to keep two faiths growing when church attendance is not.

Cummings said his message to serve the Lord won’t differ.

“I’m a Christian,” he said.