Here's an idea that came up at our most recent MCBC Evangelism and Church Development Committee meeting. When there is a congregation that has lost its growth edge or is aging, and is in need of revitalisation, build a core group that is energised to both belong to the existing congregation and to take that congregation into a revitalised future.
Is this a new concept? We thought that it might be. There are a few existing concepts of revitalisation. (1) A congregation could bring in a younger pastor to bring the new growth. (2) The denomination can shut down the plateaued or aging congregation and then after a brief period of time, start a new congregation at the same location; the former members would be invited to come, but clearly this will be different. (3) A church planter could be brought in to start a completely new congregation, using the existing congregation's building as their location.
So, starting a new core group to revitalise an existing congregation involves a few serious commitments. A key understanding is that the congregation wants to be revitalised and that renewing a congregation to be a multi-generational church once again is worth it. Here are some considerations. People would have to relocate into the neighbourhood - buying or renting homes, moving from elsewhere in the city, or from an entirely different city. There would be a commitment to walk with people who have gotten tired (leaning heavy on their love and prayer support) while also walking into the neighbourhood and loving a whole new group of people. The commitment is radical...but so is the Good News!
I would love your engagement in this discussion. Throw out some more radical thoughts. Wet blankets are welcome too. If the idea is a God-thing, there is no wet blanket that can smother it!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Sunday, September 5, 2010
What's Up This Fall?
What is happening this fall in the world of Mennonite Church BC?
A big project happening from September 23rd to October 7th is IMPaCT (International Mennonite Pastors Coming Together). IMPaCT is an initiative of Mennonite Church Canada that is co-sponsored by one of its area churches (by Mennonite Church BC in 2010). We are planning to bring together 10 pastors from several countries in Asia in order that they might grapple with issues of being the church in the world today. Guest pastors will be paired with MCBC pastors from the Fraser Valley. By being hosted in the host pastor’s home, friendships will be forged, support and encouragement will be offered, challenges will be shared and extended, bread will be broken, and all will come to see Jesus more clearly through the eyes of the other.
The core group of pastors will spend two weekends involved in a local congregation, a week studying and reflecting together on the theme of "the church as a prophetic voice in our world today", and several days interacting with the broader constituency and a variety of leadership persons.
Please pray for IMPaCT 2010. We are planning a public event at the Level Ground Mennonite Church in Abbotsford on the evening of October 3rd. Come and be energised by this experience.
Dovetailing with IMPaCT will be our annual Pastor/Spouse Retreat at Camp Squeah. The last 3 days of the IMPaCT event will be at the retreat. This will give a broader opportunity for building relationships and learning about God's activity in the world, extending to all our MCBC pastors and their spouses.
OTHERWISE, at MCBC we are just doing what we do. We only exist for the congregations and their leadership. If we are able to help our congregations and our pastors to be stronger and healthier, then we have a reason to exist. That's what it's all about. So this summer, MCBC has been helping congregations find new pastors. This fall we will celebrate 70 years of ministry with Cedar Valley Mennonite Church in Mission. We will also get the monthly pastors gatherings going again. In the 3rd week of each month, don't try to book a lunch meeting with me, because I'll be hanging out with pastors - Tuesday in Vancouver, Wednesday in the Fraser Valley, and Thursday with the Youth Pastors. It's all about building a community experience where we can belong and be open with each other.
This fall the MCBC Leadership Board is taking a good look at our priorities and deciding to what we should be giving our greatest attention. This will carry into a Leadership Board Retreat in January and to our annual meeting in February. This also gives opportunity for Janette and me (the 2 MCBC staff) to sharpen our focus as to what are the things that should receive our highest priority.
We have our fingers in a lot more stuff, but I'll encourage you read the greater story in our September edition of the News 'n Notes.
A big project happening from September 23rd to October 7th is IMPaCT (International Mennonite Pastors Coming Together). IMPaCT is an initiative of Mennonite Church Canada that is co-sponsored by one of its area churches (by Mennonite Church BC in 2010). We are planning to bring together 10 pastors from several countries in Asia in order that they might grapple with issues of being the church in the world today. Guest pastors will be paired with MCBC pastors from the Fraser Valley. By being hosted in the host pastor’s home, friendships will be forged, support and encouragement will be offered, challenges will be shared and extended, bread will be broken, and all will come to see Jesus more clearly through the eyes of the other.
The core group of pastors will spend two weekends involved in a local congregation, a week studying and reflecting together on the theme of "the church as a prophetic voice in our world today", and several days interacting with the broader constituency and a variety of leadership persons.
Please pray for IMPaCT 2010. We are planning a public event at the Level Ground Mennonite Church in Abbotsford on the evening of October 3rd. Come and be energised by this experience.
Dovetailing with IMPaCT will be our annual Pastor/Spouse Retreat at Camp Squeah. The last 3 days of the IMPaCT event will be at the retreat. This will give a broader opportunity for building relationships and learning about God's activity in the world, extending to all our MCBC pastors and their spouses.
OTHERWISE, at MCBC we are just doing what we do. We only exist for the congregations and their leadership. If we are able to help our congregations and our pastors to be stronger and healthier, then we have a reason to exist. That's what it's all about. So this summer, MCBC has been helping congregations find new pastors. This fall we will celebrate 70 years of ministry with Cedar Valley Mennonite Church in Mission. We will also get the monthly pastors gatherings going again. In the 3rd week of each month, don't try to book a lunch meeting with me, because I'll be hanging out with pastors - Tuesday in Vancouver, Wednesday in the Fraser Valley, and Thursday with the Youth Pastors. It's all about building a community experience where we can belong and be open with each other.
This fall the MCBC Leadership Board is taking a good look at our priorities and deciding to what we should be giving our greatest attention. This will carry into a Leadership Board Retreat in January and to our annual meeting in February. This also gives opportunity for Janette and me (the 2 MCBC staff) to sharpen our focus as to what are the things that should receive our highest priority.
We have our fingers in a lot more stuff, but I'll encourage you read the greater story in our September edition of the News 'n Notes.
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