I really feel it is important that amalgamations, if that is what takes place, don't reduce staffing levels.  Rather the specialization would provide more potential. 

I fact in some cases I think staffing should increase.  Three churches come together and the staff  work together but what if there was a fourth full time staff person working in the community.  What if that person was meeting people in coffee shops and pubs?  I think we need to be willing to think outside of our boxes. ( quite literally a box)

Bill

John Millar said in the open discussion after Chris' presentation on March 7, that he has been part of amalgamations in the past.  The question always arises how many ministers or can we cut ministers?  Successful amalgamations are pooling of resources, i.e. maintain the ministry staffing level but maybe with different specialization (current ministers re-train or new ministry staff).  Correct me if I got this wrong on this John.  Amalgamation with a view to reduce resources is a recipe for failure and continued shrinkage.  The new mission (if we accept it) is abundance and vitality.

Dorothy  090309

Chrisblis  (love the name by the way)

There may indeed by benefits to specialization.   As Chris said on saturday the models were starting points and choices.  I think that we need something that allow us to make optimine use of our resources, both human and capital.  What is there was an extra  full time person with every three or four churches working in the community?  What if we were really visible community?. 

I don't think straight amalagations is the answer.  We need new models and ideas.

I think the possiblities are almost endless. BB

Here is the mission that Chris presented to us.

MISSION
To face our present and future reality and make choices that leave us thriving, vital, living and sustainable.
Thriving congregations -
    vital to the community -
        alive as followers of Jesus Christ - 
            sustainable for the future.

Comments

If the churches look to become a regional church, how many people does that bring together? How many ministers would be needed to meet the needs of these people? Would the ministers become "specialists" in certain fields? Would we meet as one church?

I tried to edit my membership and was todl "access denied", but I see Judy and I are the only others in teh converation so far, so could be I am a member.

Dorothy

Judy

Indeed the discussion needs to begin with a clear question.  I will perhaps pose one when we have a number of folks are on board.  Or you could.

BB

Dorothy

I was at the Surrey meeting and experienced first hand the format Chris used.  He uses a procedure simular to Apreciate Inquiry but asks questions that focuses the results on identifying the values and best goals for the church.  I wasn't sure that anything of significant value would come out of it however the statements were sometimes quite interesting. For instance one thing I heard was that we value our national identity.  We feel that we have a relationship and place in the United across the country. 

The values statements generated at the meeting will be associated with one of the models to gives us an idea of which model would best meet our hopes and goals.

There was some folks that were expecting to speak more directly about the models.  Perhaps this venue can be used to start a discussion on the merits and adaptation of the models.

Certianly the models as presented have little detail and will need to be filled out.

Model B is a natural transistion if our values, goals and hopes pointed us towards Model A.  Certianly the beginning conversations here in South Surrey reflects moving toward some sort of consolidation of resources.

BB

Hi, Bill:

Thanks for doing this.

It would be good if we started the discussion with a question or a comment for response...

Judy Stark

We have our Aldergrove, Mission and Abbotsford Phase Two consultation on Feb. 14. So far I hear the purpose has not been clearly stated for particpants. Can you help me on this?

The purpose does not seem on the surface to have anything to do with the 3 models in Derek Evans Oct - Nov reports to FP.

In Abbotsford we are already functioning well as the model of cooperation among area churches. Can't recall which model for sure, but think it is model B.

Dorothy.