We’re not in Kansas anymore.
We’ve all known that for a long time, of course. But presbyteries are constantly challenged to advance God’s work while, at the same time, ensuring a sense of collective accountability and faithfulness to the ministry of Christ. As always, there are various interpretations of how that looks.
In 2009, the Presbytery of Barrie commissioned a study of the rapidly growing city of Barrie and the surrounding area. One of the accepted recommendations gave our evangelism team a mandate to research, recommend and present effective resources such as materials, wisdom, programs and seminars for congregations in the areas of visioning, discipleship, program development and outreach in our changing Canadian cultural environment.
One of the helpful results of the study’s recommendations was a conference on March 26, 2011. The theme was Church and Society: Cultures in Transition. Open to everyone in our congregations, 100 attendees heard excellent presentations at Trinity Community Church from guest speakers on topics such as: Music, Worship and Cultural Transition; Culturally Connected Ministry with Children and Youth; Introduction to Natural Church Development; The Tipping Point and Church Size Dynamics; and Outside the Box Ministries. Dr. Charles Fensham, associate professor of Systematic Theology at Knox College, Toronto, was the keynote speaker. Charles gave plenary presentations titled “Called into Being: Christian Identity in a Digital Culture and a Suffering Biosphere” and “Relevance or Counter – Culture? Being Signs of God’s Reign in our Present World.” During two workshops, attendees had the unique opportunity to meet with Charles and have informal personal dialogue with him.
This conference was a follow – up to other all – day events held by the presbytery last year: Eldership as Spiritual Leadership (for ruling elders) and Church and Society: Cultures in Transition (for teaching elders). In addition to our monthly meetings and separate team meetings, these events have also strengthened one of the most important aspects of our eldership: fellowship. Each time we get together there is prayer and laughter alongside the shared stories of “have you experienced this?” or “we’re having a problem with that.” The more we get together, the more pastoral and personal our work as a presbytery becomes.
As part of this ongoing self – evaluation and planning process, we are also revising our standing orders. Why? Many elders were wondering if our existing standing orders, which have not been revised in 10 years, were becoming a burden rather than a help to ministry. Currently we meet for dinner, have a time of corporate worship, and then begin our meeting. It was felt that the structure didn’t allow for the prayerful, thoughtful and creative attention the work our court demands. Therefore, we are looking at several options including more time for team meetings, and group devotionals and prayer interchanging with months for corporate worship. It is also hoped that the update will clarify ambiguities in responsibilities and overlap, and allow enough flexibility to ensure the current needs of congregations can be met in a rapidly changing context.
Our presbytery is also interested in hearing what was learned at the Emmaus conference held in 2010, which recommended there should be more resources and efforts directed to the grassroots level of our church, namely presbyteries. Our presbytery is looking forward to seeing how and when these recommendations might be implemented.
This is a time of collectively discerning the movement of Christ’s Spirit within a very diverse context. There are frustrations and joys. There is the cross. In all things, our presbytery has been realizing there requires a prayerful openness and real desire to be practical in the help we offer each other if we are to faithfully serve God beyond red tape. It is a work in progress. And we are helped when we are reminded that we are called by Jesus to do it.
