Page 2 - Presbyterian Connection Newspaper, Summer 2017

2 SUMMER 2017
PRESBYTERIAN
By the Rev. Dr. Lonnie Atkinson, WellSpring Presbyterian Church, PEI
Who are we? Why do we exist? What difference do we make in our community and the world?
WellSpring was faced with prob- lems common to many congrega- tions across the nation: declin- ing numbers, reduced financial resources, an aging facility, lost identity in the community, underly- ing conflicts, poor communication, and more, challenged its future.
Now 3.5 years later, WellSpring gathers and serves in a new, ac- cessible, flexible worship and com- munity centre. Worship attendance, stewardship and mission engage- ment have measurably increased. A spirit of hospitality informs all aspects of the congregation’s life.
Congregations struggling to find a future frequently ask, “How can we get more members?” “Who will pay the bills?” “Where are the young people?” There was nothing new or ear th-shattering in the ques- tions posed to the WellSpring faith- ful. However, the congregation’s ownership of the church’s ministry and mission was transformational. In the initial meetings, members re- flected on what it meant to be the church, to be Presbyterian, to be WellSpring.
They affirmed that we are called to be the Body of Christ, a com- munity of believers. We long to embody the Great Commission, to live as the Acts 2 church, informed by Romans 12 discipleship code. If this was our vocation, how could we best engage in our mission? This meant facing the barriers Well- Spring experienced and prayer fully seeking a way forward.
Identity
There was no clear spiritual or practi- cal identity for the congregation—the four uniting churches had not yet be- come one congregation. It became evident that the best way forward would be to find a common purpose, a clear mission, one that the commu- nity could own.
Reconnecting to the wider church was also crucial. The resources and support of the presbytery and the national church assisted WellSpring in confirming its place within the ex- tended family.
Worship
Rapid change in the form and con- tent of worship had left folks feeling disconnected. Challenges experi- enced across the national church in the past decades were mirrored at WellSpring, which had seen an exo- dus of some and a disheartening of many. There was no instant solution to the pain, but by applying a blended style of worship and focusing on the teaching ministry, with more frequent celebrations of the Lord’s Supper in a welcoming environment, we began to break down the walls.
Community Profile
WellSpring had no name recognition in the community. People were aware Presbyterian churches had closed and been sold but did not realize a new one existed.
We invited the community to share in special events with us—for in- stance, we held a First Responders Sunday on the anniversary of 9/11. We also partnered with the local con- solidated school. An active social media presence helped broaden our reach. Ultimately it was the building of the new church at a highly visible
The new church exterior of WellSpring Presbyterian Church, PEI.
palliative care clients, and our Compassion Team’s outreach broadening.
3. Personalized Information Shar- ing: Weekly ambassadors highlight ministry and mission news during Sunday services. The information is personal and shared by committed friends and neighbours.
4. Reconnecting with the Discon- nected: Concer ted effor ts have gone into reconnection with former members and friends of the founding par tner congrega- tions. A Reunion Weekend in 2016 highlighted the desire to reach out and encourage rebuild- ing of ties, pushing past spiritual brokenness and moving forward. Mailing and personal invitations have cast the net wider.
5. Celebrating: All oppor tunities and occasions for celebration are highlighted and marked with the outpouring of hospitality and joyful praise.
WellSpring’s renewal and revitali- zation has taken work and commit- ment. One could look at the num- bers and give thanks: seven children baptized, PWS&D and Presbyterians Sharing goals exceeded, the Filled- to-Overflowing Well overflowing with $125,000 raised, a $200,000 Pres- byterian Church Building Corporation mor tgage nearly repaid, worship at- tendance up from 40 to 85 on an av- erage Sunday morning, and more.
But the core truth as declared by Clerk of Session, Malcolm MacPher- son, is WellSpring “Believing in the Mission!” With faith informed by love and filled with hope, the WellSpring congregation has experienced a blessing we long to share.
you will need to put your idea on pa- per, develop a budget and a timeline and present it to session. Do not be disappointed if your proposal is not accepted outright. They may sug- gest alternatives or modifications. In our case, they liked the concept but didn’t like the location. I had suggest- ed building the annex off the west side at basement level. On the “wet coast,” drainage is often a problem and session felt that building off the east side at ground level would be more appropriate. So we followed their advice.
Once you have the session’s nod of assent, it is most important that you get the congregation’s suppor t. It’s best to delegate this to your pas- tor and a few trusted elders. You can, in turn, support them by having an
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Believing in
the Mission
Recipe for Revitalizing a Church
location that confirmed to the wider community that the church existed and was committed to the future of the community.
This commitment to community is important in rural Canada, where infrastructure is eroding and resi- dents feel abandoned. The same is surely true in inner cities, suburban and small towns across the country. WellSpring’s experience has con- firmed the importance of the ministry of presence.
Congregational Planning
WellSpring’s planning model could have been described as ad hoc and uncoordinated. Proper ty sales were not fully disclosed. The receiving of property for a future building site was not discussed by the congregation. Many churches fall into the cycle of endless planning, never implement- ing. When coupled with failure to share decision making with the con- gregation, ownership diminishes.
By early 2015, following the min- istry and mission study stage, a
Stewards by Design Conference fo- cused on Kennon Callahan’s Twelve Keys to an Effective Church, which took place in Orillia, Ontario, and was sponsored by The Presbyterian Church in Canada. Your vision might come to you at work, during leisure time or in the middle of the night. Mine was twofold: #1, to build an annex on our church to accommo- date a new office for both our pastor and our office administrator, eliminat- ing serious overcrowding; and #2, to repair, scrape, sand and repaint the entire exterior of the church, which sadly had fallen into disrepair.
This recipe is all about how we did it. It is not a difficult recipe, but you must be well prepared and have most of the ingredients before you begin. You will need to be able to visualize the end product, have a forward- thinking, suppor tive session plus a
congregational meeting established a Mission Statement Writing Team and a Facilities Planning Team, each with timelines to report. Both met the deadlines and by July 2015 a Project Management Team was appointed to coordinate the building of a new church and a Filled-to-Overflow- ing Capital Fundraising group was formed. Eleven months later, the new facility was dedicated. Planning with intent and shared ownership can bring results.
Five other ministry priorities em- phasized in the last three years in- clude:
1. Leadership Development: Well- Spring has expanded its active shared leadership team from ten elders to over for ty team mem- bers serving on ministry teams.
2. Building on Strengths: The con- gregation’s history of study and prayer ministries has been em- phasized and developed with additional studies beginning, prayer shawl ministries reach- ing out to suppor t the provincial
generous congregation... and you will end up with a wonderful, warm, welcoming, functional church like St. Andrew’s in Duncan, British Colum- bia.
PREPARATION: 2 months BUILDING: 4 months READY IN: 6–7 months
INGREDIENTS:
1 generous congregation
1 empowering session
1 all-purpose pastor
3–4 team members
a dozen sage subcontractors
a bunch of building materials
a bushel of money
a sprinkle of furniture
a pinch of good weather
a sprig of greenery
a dash of luck
With a vision firmly in your mind,
By Hylton McAlister, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Duncan, BC
Out on the west coast, our little church has recently seen an addition. Here is the story and recipe of how we came to have a more comfortable
place for our pastor and administra- tor, a space more welcoming and in- viting, a space where tears flow and laughter rings out, and the life of faith in community is fostered.
It is best to start with a vision. Mine came to me while attending the