Page 9 - pc_Issue7_Fall2018

presbyterian.ca
FALL 2018
Connection
PRESBYTERIAN
9
EVANGELISM
Cyclical PCC: A Church Planting Initiative
By Jen de Combe, Associate Secretary of Canadian Ministries
The PCC is faithful to a vision of the church where ministries thrive, dis- ciples are called and God is adding to our number every day. This is a bold vision, but God is already calling leaders to plant new and innovative churches.
The Presbyterian Church in Canada has par tnered with Cyclical Inc, a church planting network connected with the PC (USA), to launch a na- tionwide initiative designed to encour- age leaders to take first steps toward church planting. This initiative moves leaders through a three-step process of discernment, call and vision, that could lead to establishing with a pres- bytery a sustainable new ministry.
Step 1 – Discerners: Par ticipants will join others from presbyteries that are also considering planting a new worshipping community and will be matched with a coach to help refine a vision for this new ministry. The activities involved in this phase of the process include developing a vision, identifying partners and gathering a church planting team.
Step 2 – Starters: This phase will be- gin the work of starting a new wor- shipping community. Starters meet with others who are also beginning new worshipping communities and will continue to work with a coach
to help them take steps toward living out the vision God has placed in their hear ts. In this phase, par ticipants will finalize the vision with the presbytery, continue gathering a church plant- ing team, develop an initial vision for administrative structure and personal health of the leadership team, move toward sustainability and begin public worship.
Step 3 – Churches: In this phase, leaders stabilize the vision and work to establish administration and finan- cial sustainability. They begin to think about next steps into the future.
Are you being called?
God calls diverse people to be involved in church planting: young and old, lay and ordained, experienced and just starting out. You may have the gifts and skills to answer this call. Are you ready to find out? If yes, then we invite you to go online to fill out a registra- tion form at presbyterian.ca/cyclical- pcc or contact Canadian Ministries at canadianministries@presbyterian.ca.
Church planting is a ministry of the whole church. Alongside those who are called to lead new worshipping communities, we need people who will pray for the leaders, champion the emerging ministries and encour- age leaders in their communities to explore this exciting call. If this is an initiative that you find exciting and would like to support but aren’t feeling called to lead, we would also love to
hear from you.
How do I get involved?
Step 1: You communicate your inter- est by filling in a basic information form online at presbyterian.ca/cycli- calpcc. This will be the beginning of a longer application process.
Step 2: A group of up to 40 potential new worshipping church commu- nity leaders will attend a discernment event designed to help them deter- mine how they might better sustain or prepare for this important ministry.
These events will happen in early 2019 in two locations:
Vancouver: January 23–25, 2019
Toronto: February 27–March 1, 2019
Step 3: Par ticipants with identified gifts will gather at a spring event to begin building a network of church planters and be trained in the prin- ciples of star ting new worshipping communities.
Step 4: Par ticipants will be grouped into teams of approximately 10 par- ticipants and assigned a coach. These teams will meet online monthly and will support each other as they move through the cyclical process.
FAQs
What is a new worshipping commu- nity?
• A community that focuses on
gathering new disciples of Jesus
Christ
• A community that explores forms
of gathering disciples in ways that
fit our changing cultural context
• A community gathered by the Spirit to meet Jesus Christ in Word
and Sacrament
• A community that seeks to join
God’s mission in the world
• A community that develops sus- tainability in leadership and fi-
nances
I have no experience in church plant- ing. Can I be considered to be a par- ticipate in this process?
Yes! God calls a wide range of people to serve. This process will help you discern if God has gifted you for this type of ministry.
I am not ordained, but I feel I have the gifts and passion to become in- volved. Can I take part?
Cyclical PCC welcomes par ticipants from all backgrounds to participate.
I’m currently serving as a minister of a congregation. Can I take part? Yes! The hope of this initiative is to gather many different types of lead- ers and to start different forms of worshipping communities. We imag- ine that God will encourage leaders to start parallel appropriate ministries and we believe that God will call our established churches to start new churches.
I’m already involved in a new wor- shipping community. Can I still get involved?
Yes! This initiative is designed to encourage and support those who sense a calling to start new worship- ping communities as well as those who are already involved.
Special LGBTQI Listening Committee of The Presbyterian Church in Canada
Rainbow Communion
SHARE YOUR STORIES. WE ARE LISTENING.
All people (LGBTQI, allies and others) are invited to tell stories of harm done due to homophobia, hypocrisy, heterosexism and/or transphobia within
and by the church, and to share their stories of God’s grace experienced
in Christian ministry in spite of those challenges. With permission, these stories will form the basis of a report making recommendations to the PCC to strengthen the church so that all are welcomed as Jesus Christ welcomes us all.
Details about the confidential, safe and respectful process
presbyterian.ca/listening
HOW TO SHARE?*
rainbowcommunion@gmail.com
1.800.619.7301 ext. 300
Rainbow Communion | P.O. Box 40113 Waterloo Square, Waterloo, ON N2J 4V1
› Obtain a copy of the Welcome and Consent brochure
› Share your story in person, in writing or orally, by phone or teleconference
› Listening Spaces will only be available until June 15, 2019
*For those who either serve with Rainbow Communion or those who share their stories, who might otherwise
be subject to discipline with respect to the PCC’s stance on same-sex relationships, censure has been suspended indefinitely in order to allow them to participate freely and honestly. (A letter verifying participation will be provided.)
presbyterian.ca/listening
Memorial Windows Restoration Protective Storm Glazing Custom Woodworking
97 Wharncliffe Rd. S. London, Ontario N6J 2K2 519-432-9624
Toll Free 1-877-575-2321
www.sunrisestainedglass.com
For all your moving needs
1-855-222-3315
information@medland.ca • www.medland.ca
MENTION THIS AD FOR SPECIAL PRESBYTERIAN PRICING