Growth in the Presbyterian Church is largely handled by Canada Ministries, which oversees and approves new church developments, discusses growth ideas with presbyteries and hands out grants to get new congregations started. It's not an easy endeavour, and can sometimes be a bit of a game of hit-and-miss. Still, success somehow manages to eventually triumph. "It doesn't always happen, but of course we hope all new developments will become flourishing congregations," said Mathew Goslinski, administrator at Canada Ministries.
The road to starting a new congregation — not including building a new physical structure — is a long one. Although circumstances vary, it takes about two years to go from the "light bulb" phase to putting a minister in place. The initiative to try something new usually comes from presbyteries, although Canada Ministries will sometimes plant a seed in a presbytery where community growth is occurring. The two parties then discuss the feasibility of the endeavour, and the presbytery is sent off to conduct research on the area's existing demographics, presence of other churches and community development. Purchasing property for a church is generally not a factor at this point, as the funds simply are not available. "You have to picture the situation," said Goslinski. "There's nothing in place at this stage. There's no congregation to even pay for a minister."
That's why Canada Ministries will give a five-year grant to new congregations to pay for a minister, cover rental costs where services will be held, advertising and other incidental expenses. Other than stipend and benefits for the minister, Canada Ministries does not stipulate what the congregation can use the grant for. Grants usually range from $65,000 to $75,000 a year and can be extended if a congregation wants to buy property for a building.
The Presbyterian Church Building Corporation does not have a direct influence on church growth, but they do help facilitate this process by arranging loans. Congregations wishing to expand, revamp or remodel existing facilities can apply for financial assistance, as can a congregation hoping for a new building since outgrowing its old one . Young congregations that have decided to stop renting and create a place of their own can also apply. “We’re like a service station that provides the lubricant,” said James Seidler, PCBC’s general manager. “We’re there to facilitate the life and perhaps growth of the church when people determine they want to build but don’t have all the money they need to do so.”
Although many factors are considered when granting a loan, assistance from PCBC is not dependent upon grants and loans from Canada Ministries, which is the main body responsible for guiding new congregations through development. The corporation caps its loans at $1 million, and granting loans is dependent on a good credit rating.
Only recently have congregations started to buy land at the beginning of the process — and this is only done where it makes good economic sense to scoop up land while it's cheap. In Alberta, for instance, some land has been bought in anticipation of starting new congregations in the Edmonton and/or Calgary areas, even though nothing has been finalized. "They have plans to start," said Golsinski. "It won't lay empty long. Still, a new building could be a long time in coming. They have to find the people first."
Vancouver and the Greater Toronto Area pose a greater challenge to starting new congregations because of the cost involved. Edmonton, Halifax and Winnipeg (traditionally not huge growth areas for Presbyterians), are all trying to get new things going.
One of the greatest challenges in establishing new congregations is finding a minister. "Finding a good, experienced minister for a new church is tough," said Goslinski. "You can't parachute anyone in. They need a certain skill set."
According to Gordon Haynes, associate secretary at Canada Ministries, a good self-image, a self-starting personality, a willingness to take risks, extensive knowledge and understanding of the church and an ability to move from having a vision to realizing it are essential.
Further constraints are placed on growth when the department can only do so much because of finances. "We handle all we can, so even if there was more presbytery concern, it would be hard to meet their needs," said Goslinski. "We have to work within our budget, so we only start a couple a year," noting that no new developments were planned for 2005.
"There's no scientific formula for developing churches," he continued. "You can look at the communities that are expanding and go to the presbytery to discuss it. But the presbytery has to do the leg work. They're on the ground. It just makes sense." – AM
