Dear Canadians,
There is something invigorating about being involved in something new. Especially when that something is in direct response to the command of Jesus to love one another, and when the command is followed up by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit filling passionate and wise people. All of that describes what’s been happening in Toward Canada for the past couple of years.
Worship, planning with church delegates, fine-tuning who we are and want to be in Christ and in Canada, and making bold statements about our spirit-led future. THAT’S what we’re all looking forward to doing in less than a week from now, in Ancaster, at the Mount Mary Retreat Centre.
More than 20 churches have delegated some of their members to join together to help define who and what we’ll be, what our values are, and how those values will help drive our interactions in and with Canadian society and culture. These are churches that are discerning their future and want very much to be involved in the establishment of a fellowship in which we walk with people; in which we partner with people, in which we are invitational, in which our witness is embodied, communal and local. This retreat is thus pivotal.
We come to this retreat with our joys and sorrows, but more than that, with our hopes, prayers, and beliefs that God will guide us into a new relationship that will be welcoming and enfolding, respectful and discerning. The All-Canada Summit of November was inspired to begin the good work. A group designated by the TC Board sifted through the 16 pages of wonderful thinking to begin to synthesize these ideas and wrote a report. That report, along with the original 16-pager will help to inform the retreat. As well, the lived experiences of the 20+ churches in attendance will help create rich conversations. BUT: not just conversations, but decisions that will form the core of the association of churches.
PRETTY EXCITING!!!
One of the documents that delegates have already received in preparation for the retreat, gives this overarching purpose for the retreat:
Text & Theme: 1 John 4:7-12
This retreat is designed as a spiritually grounded and highly participatory “working retreat” in which churches discerning a future alliance or association, will collaboratively shape the identity, culture, behaviours, and organizational character of the emerging fellowship.
The retreat is intended to move participants from a collection of independent churches, toward: a recognizable, invitational, and values-shaped fellowship.
The central guiding question throughout the retreat will be: “If these values truly define us, what kind of association must we become together?”
Delegates will spend much time in deep conversation around the seven value statements. Seven groups, c. 4-5 persons in each group. The four major blocks of time from Thursday evening until after worship on Sunday morning are entitled:
-Gathering, continuity, and shared direction
-From values to identity
-From identity to organizational form
-Covenant, clarity and sending
VERY EXCITING STUFF!
The values (in short) again are:
- Rooted in Scripture and the Reformational Tradition
- Courageous and Creative Mission
- Honouring Local Churches in Covenant Community
- Communities of Belonging and Hospitality
- Listening and Discerning Together
- Faithful Stewardship
- Lifelong Formation
Embedded in these value statements (that is, in the expanded form) is the articulated understanding that these values are contextualized in Canada.
It’s new day; join us in prayer for this daybreak.
Blessings,
Peter Bulthuis
