November 20, 2011

CENTRAL HEIGHTS CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

November 20, 2011

Transitional Lead Pastor Update

 

It has been a blessing for Denise and me to be along side of you at Central Heights. We knew that the role was to invest in you as a church; we never anticipated how much you would invest in us. For that, we say a sincere thank you.

There are four key success factors for the TLP role which I was given when I came in April; these come directly from what was given to me by the Elder Council as an addendum to my agreement...

1)      Relational rifts among staff, and between elders and staff and congregation, need to be addressed in such a way as to restore harmony and trust.

2)      The re-visioning process must be completed so that staff and congregation are clear on who God has called as Lead Pastor to the church. (I sense there is a growing excitement about the open door that God has set before you).

3)      The operating documents have to be finalized, approved and implemented. This implementation is to be nurtured and evaluated.

4)      To foster within the congregation the virtues of prayer, confession, humility and patience.

I want to provide a brief update on these and will address under four  headings; Staff, Vision  & Search, Congregation, and Elder Processes  & Documents.

Staff:

I have made your staff the key priority. I have wanted to invest in them by spending time listening, helping them to understand how God has uniquely gifted them, working to develop a team culture and becoming a safe place, where they know I am available and they have my support and that they know I care about them.  I am so proud of them; they have us. (Denise is also available to meet as needed).

I especially want to thank Cam for the load that he carries; he is always willing to take what I ask of him.

I know that you have been concerned about the staff and how they’ve been doing over this past year. At a recent Ministry Leadership Team meeting, they asked to speak to you. (Rushia, Lesley, Tyson and Megan shared at the Congregational Meeting).

Vision & Search:

I have talked much about the unique ministry vision for Central Heights. Good work has been done through the re-focusing process. We are building off of it. It is not about what you want, the elders want or I want. It is what God wants and this is based on the ministry of grace; to genuinely love others as we have been loved by God.  When that happens at CHC, the Holy Spirit’s Power is released unlike anything that has ever been experienced before. The Ministry Leadership Team has been meeting to discuss what

CHC should look like three years from now. We can plan and strategize and goals are important; that being said, I received an email which stated that our authority is based directly proportional to our willingness to love you and each other, as God loves us. The vision based on loving relationships will then go to the Elder Council in preparation for a joint Elders/Pastoral staff retreat to be held on January 13 & 14.

 

Out of this, we want to draft what the Call of God is for CHC. This then leads directly into providing clarity on what we need in the new leader/leadership structure to see this vision accomplished.

Following the January retreat, we will come to you the Congregation, through various venues, such as small group forums and congregation meetings for input. It needs to be owned by all, for you are the church.  Once this occurs, we will begin the Search Process and I anticipate this being in late February or early March.

Congregation:

a)      Clear Communication:

I have been seeking to do this through my regular updates and being available to meet when I receive requests to do so. At times, it has taken a bit longer to get appointments scheduled, and thank you for bearing with me. As I have listened and there have been tears shed for CHC, I have gained much and you have allowed me to view the past through your lens. This has been invaluable and also taken lots of time; it has been a great investment.

 

Denise and I have also joined various groups to speak at and to play; I have given up trying to compete with Jim Hemmons on carpet bowling.

 

Also, many have sent emails, which I read and take seriously.

 

b)      Sunday Morning Ministry:

Preaching the Word has been another high priority. The team (Tim Klassen, Cam Broad, Dave Klassen, John Balzer and me) has been one I thank God for; each has taken the themes I have suggested, and God has used them.

 

I know you are asking, “What about one service?”  We will address this coming out of the vision process.

 

I have also wanted to feature our ministries and so far that has included Cheryl (Children’s Ministry) and Dick Hiebert (Caring Ministry); eventually we will get to all of them. As I mentioned last week in my message, when the early church heard about how God was working in their midst, it brought them joy and hope. We are doing the same. We need to tell the stories of changed lives and are working to regularly build these into our services.

Elder Processes & Documents:

This area has been one which so far has not had my full priority, though it does need help.  I am now starting to look at the processes and documents. At times, wading through policy documents can be tedious.

 

The Elders have completed a survey to provide informative data on their effectiveness. We are now collating this and will combine it with the Birkman process as we look at strengths, styles and blind spots, so that their effectiveness is maximized.

 

We have established a Discernment Committee to review how you bring on elders.  (More was shared during the Elders Update at the Congregational Meeting).

 

We circulated the Bylaws and Constitution with the intent to see them approved. In this process, we have heard from some of you, that there are some things missing. We want to do this right and also to be inclusive. There are people in our congregation whom God has gifted in this area with specific ability for policy governance. We need them and so we are not asking for ratification, rather, we will be seeking input from some in the congregation. Following this additional good work, we will come back to you, by the latest at the AGM, for final approval. This is a practice which perhaps has not been the strongest in the past; that is to seek input from you the church. We need to see this developed further and this could be a great beginning.

 

The elders have spent many hours on your behalf. I am seeing an excitement and even new energy as they think about vision and what God has for CHC; this was expressed quite strongly at the Elder Council meeting this past Thursday evening.

 

In closing, as I look back on my life, I have lived my life in the future-when I get this position, when I have this income, when the kids get older. The regret is that I did not live in the moment. Oh, that does not mean not planning; rather, it is enjoying God and each other today.

My prayer for CHC, is that you would live for today; yes, address what needs to be addressed and watch and see what God is doing today as we work together and love God, empower each other and grow in His love.

 

Pastor Bruce Gordon

November 20, 2011