Proposal re. Kitchener Project as adopted by the Guelph consistory on Dec 4, 2007 

Introduction

The Kitchener Church Project arose out of a discussion about our mission calling as church which includes the spreading of the gospel and of churches.  The consistory appointed an ad hoc committee to explore this matter. 

On June 20, 2006, the consistory approved publication to the congregation of a report from the ad hoc committee, re. possible house congregation in the Cambridge-Kitchener-Waterloo area.  This report, slightly amended, was also distributed to the churches mentioned in this report and to the Canadian Reformed Churches in Ontario.  The following two proposals were adopted. 

Proposal 1: Ultimate Goal

   The committee proposes that the consistory, keeping in mind the church’s mission calling, has as its ultimate goal the establishment of a church of Christ in the North Cambridge – Kitchener – Waterloo area for the spreading and promotion of His kingdom.

Proposal 2: First Steps

Considerations:

1. the North Cambridge – Kitchener – Waterloo area could prove to be an attractive destination for many Canadian Reformed families;
2. we already have some families in that area;
3. other neighbouring Canadian Reformed churches also have some families in this area.

Recommendations:

1. the committee recommends that the consistory sends a letter to all the Canadian Reformed Churches in Ontario notifying that the consistory is pondering this matter, and therefore requests all individuals and families that would be interested in joining a Canadian Reformed house congregation in this area to contact the committee.  The letter should state that if sufficient interest is expressed then Emmanuel Canadian Reformed Church could initiate the establishment of a house congregation under its supervision, committing to supervision, pulpit supply, etc.;
2. an ad to the same effect be placed in Clarion;
3. Mr. Brad Vanderwoude be designated the contact person to which inquiries and expressions of interest be sent.

 

In response to correspondence sent out the committee was made aware of a Sudanese community in Kitchener looking for Reformed preaching and guidance.  On Mar 6, 2007, the consistory of Guelph adopted a recommendation of the committee to establish a separate “Urban Mission committee” together with the Church of Elora.  This committee received the following mandate: 

1. Immediate:
   1. Familiarize itself with the situation:
      1. Meet with the Kitchener committee;
      2. Meet with Rev. J. VanPopta;
      3. Meet with Patrick Jok (a Sudanese student at the Theological College);
   2. Establish at least some gatherings in which God’s Word is taught, and make plans for progress in this;
2. Intermediate:
   1. Consider whether the focus should be restricted to the Sudanese people only, or also incorporate urban mission more generally.
3. Final goal:
   1. Establish regular worship with long-term goal of establishing a church of Christ in that area, hopefully with the new church being planned for that area.
4. Report
   1. as a committee to Guelph
   2. via its members to keep Elora completely up to date.
5. Keep in contact with the Kitchener Project Committee, particularly with respect to the potential calling of a minister.
6. Evaluate this mission project every 6 months.

 

On April 27, 2007, the committee hosted a meeting for those interested in the Kitchener project, specifically those from other congregations.  At this meeting the work done thus far was presented, and input was sought. 

When reflecting on all the input received, the committee decided it would be prudent to consult with Dr. DeVisser about this project given his missiology expertise, who in turn suggested consulting also with Rev. DeGelder given his church political expertise.  On June 28, 2007 a very productive meeting for such consultation was held.   

On October 4, 2007, the committee hosted a meeting in order to get input on a draft proposal for consistory from all interested people.  The attendance at this meeting was not as large as at the first meeting.  On October 15, 2007 a proposal was finalized. 

Input received

1. At the beginning of 2007 approximately 55 people expressed strong interest joining a Kitchener (house) Church as their “home congregation.”  Of these, 30 would be communicant members, with 5 having previously served as office-bearers. 
2. In the judgment of the committee, feedback from public meetings, returned questionnaires, and targeted communications appears to indicate:
   1. a strong interest in establishing a church in the Kitchener area.  At the first public meeting strong interest in a very concerted mission/outreach focus for this church was expressed.  At the second public meeting this interest was confirmed but also qualified with a concurrent desire to quickly institute a Canadian Reformed Church as a “home church” for Canadian Reformed families already in the area;
   2. the desire for a location “more downtown” to facilitate potential urban outreach;
   3. support for immediate calling a minister with a strong mission/outreach conviction to work concurrently at the interconnected matters of establishing a church and urban outreach.

 

Considerations

1. It should always be kept in mind that unless the Lord decides to bless all things are done in vain (Psa 127:1).
2. Every Church of Christ ought to have a “mission orientation” (Mat 28).  Hence to speak of a special “mission oriented Church” as opposed to a “regular Church” is actually a false dilemma.  At the same time, from the beginning of this project the two matters of “establishing another congregation” and “concerted urban outreach” have come to the fore.  How to integrate these two matters requires clarity.
3. Immediate institution of a church with 55 people would mean the establishment of a very small congregation.  It appears more prudent to first establish a “house congregation” under the supervision of Guelph.  This house congregation could constitute one or two separate wards of the Guelph congregation.  A suitable number of office-bearers from the “Kitchener group” could be added to the consistory of Guelph, elected by the Kitchener Group.¹
4. The concurrent rise of the Urban Mission Committee (with Guelph as the “sending church”) and the Kitchener Committee presents a unique opportunity.  A minister could be called to a two fold task of:
   1. establishing and ministering to a new congregation in Kitchener;
   2. engaging in urban mission work in the Kitchener area.
5. Such a minister would belong to “two groups,” namely the new congregation (which could initially be a house congregation), and the churches cooperating together in urban mission.  Such sharing of a minister by two groups has happened in the past (eg. Watford and London sharing a minister in the 1970s).
6. The task division of such a minister would have to be clearly articulated.  For example, he could be charged with devoting 60% of his time and effort for work in the (house) congregation, and 40% of his time for urban outreach.  Practically speaking, this would mean that he would do 60% of the preaching, catechism instruction, etc.. in the (house) congregation.  This task division should be reevaluated periodically according to how circumstances develop.
7. Regarding his call:
   1. the minister would be called by the Church of Guelph, and thus be under the supervision of the consistory of Guelph;
   2. a clear and concise letter of call, detailing the unique aspects of this call, should be drafted;
   3. Should the church at Kitchener be blessed with growth allowing for institution, this new church could make such decisions as:
      1. continue to share this minister with the Urban Mission Committee (ie. 60% devoted to the congregation and 40% to the work of urban outreach).  In this situation the minister would remain minister of Guelph (cf. C.O. 6).
      2. immediately (or eventually), in consultation with all supporting parties, take over the leadership of the urban mission project, so that it becomes the “sending Church” in this urban mission project rather than Guelph.   The minister would then be called by the Church of Kitchener, and would continue with an agreed upon division of labour (eg. 60%/40%).
      3. take steps to pull out of the agreement to share the minister and then call this minister (or another minister) as its own minister just like in other congregations.
8. Regarding the minister’s work in the congregation, his tasks would include:
   1. all the tasks of a normal minister in a congregation.
9. Regarding the minister’s work of urban mission, his tasks would include:
   1. developing a long term mission plan.  This would be done in close consultation with the urban mission committee, as an act of stewardship, and with the awareness stated in consideration 1.;
   2. spearheading, with the support of members of the supporting churches, outreach efforts;
   3. seeking to bring people to the Church of Christ in Kitchener;
   4. assisting with the integration of these people into the communion of saints in Kitchener.
10. Regarding other assistance:
    1. the services of retired ministers could be sought, either to help out in the congregational work or in the urban mission work;
    2. regular classical pulpit supply could be sought for the house congregation.
11. Hopefully the Lord will bless the initial efforts to call a minister, allowing for the minister to begin his work at the same time that the house congregation is formed.  Should the efforts to call a minister not be blessed for some time the formation of the house congregation need not necessarily be delayed.
12. A rental property for starting would allow for more flexibility as circumstances unfold.
13. Regarding financial responsibilities:
    1. Particularly the work ratio adopted for the minister would affect the financial responsibilities of all the parties involved. 
    2. The house congregation, as a ward of the Church of Guelph, would take “special ownership” with respect to supporting the minister’s work in the congregation.
    3. The Churches of Guelph, Elora, and Kitchener would take “special ownership” with respect to supporting the minister’s urban mission work.
    4. Regarding assistance from classis, assistance should be asked via the needy church fund since the goal is to institute a new church in our classical region.  Support from classis would be contingent upon a minister accepting a call.
    5. The attached budget should prove adequate.
    6. All supporting parties should be kept fully up to date regarding the progress of the work.
14. The following general timeline appears prudent:
    1. November 2007 – January 2008: consistory approves in principle and publishes the proposal to the congregation and sends the proposal to Elora soliciting support.
    2. February 2008: input from congregation.
    3. March 2008: report given at classis notifying of upcoming request for support at the June classis.
    4. June 2008: classis approval.
    5. July 2008: initiate the calling process.
    6. January 2009: house congregation begins.

 

Recommendations.  The committee recommends that:

1. The consistory seeks the input and support for this project from
   1. the congregation of Guelph,
   2. the church of Elora (keeping in mind our common “Urban Mission committee”), and
   3. the churches in our classical district, with the financial support via the needy church fund.
2. Upon support from the congregation, Elora, and classis, the consistory:
   1. mandates the committee to: 
      1. firm up the numbers of those interested in joining a church in Kitchener, both as long term members and as members committing for some years to help get the church started;
      2. search for a suitable worship facility, consulting with the Urban Mission Committee.
   2. mandate the committee to draft an appropriate letter of call, in consultation with the urban mission committee.  This letter of call will include an appropriate task division with appropriate ratios and details;
   3. appoint the current Kitchener committee to search for suitable ministers to call, consulting closely with the Urban mission committee;
   4. decide which minister to call, in close consultation with Elora;
   5. call the minister;
   6. adopt the proposed budget (cf. consideration 13) and therefore:
      1. mandate the Kitchener committee to initate a fundraising drive for a manse;
      2. mandate the urban mission committee to solicit financial support for the urban mission work.
3. Upon acceptance of a call, the consistory:
   1. form a house congregation under its supervision;
   2. put the structures in place to:
      1. ensure that all supporting parties are kept up to date;
      2. periodically reevaluate the task division of the minister.

 
  

Footnotes: 

1) “This would fit with our Church Order and be in line with procedures followed with the initiation of other house congregations such as in Owen Sound ( Ontario ), Vernon ( British Columbia ), and Rockingham ( Australia ).”