Summer Speaking Schedule

As promised, this is the summer speaker schedule, with the over-arching theme of 'The Power of the Psalms'.   I've included the worship leader as well, and have added a teaser of what is coming up when I return.

June 3.  Jason Fernandes on 'Why?!?!' from Psalm 42 with Simon's worship team.

Jason has been the pastor of our satellite campus, Sol Cafe, for the past 2 years.  When he preaches his pentecostal background and if your fortunate, Portuguese heritage will come out.  My respect for Jason continues to grow, as I have seen him lead and pastor with dedication and skill, all the while juggling a 'real job' and family.

June 10.  Kris Knutson, with a special Guest, on 'Redemption' from Psalm 103 with Chelsey's worship team.

Kris has been my friend for 14 years, and was part of our congregation since our inception, where he was our initial Council Chair.  He recently graduated with a Master of Divinity degree, and recently was bestowed a civic honour by CEASE in being named a 'Man of Honour' (something he reminds Gloria about frequently).  He works with the inner city community at the Mustard Seed.  Kris will be bringing a friend with him to help illustrate the power of God's redemption.

June 17.  Jeff Peters on 'Helping Others Follow Jesus: The Natural Result of Living Missionally' from Mark 1 with Rosyln's worship team.

Jeff and his family joined Next this past fall.  Jeff pastored a Mennonite Brethren Church in Saskatchewan for 10 years.  Jeff will be talking about the mission Jesus gave us and how we should live it out, condensing our Missional Living Class into one tidy, convenient sermon.  Over the past months I have gotten to know Jeff and admire his passion, love of God and theological curiosity.  Don't miss this Father's Day sermon, that won't get him in near as much trouble as I got into last year.

June 24.  Jill Burt, with guests, on 'Be Calm' from Psalm 131 with Maureen's worship team.


Jill is our Associate Pastor, joining our staff last fall.  However, Jill and I have been friends for many years, dating back to even before our time on staff together at St. Albert Alliance Church.  She will be doing a 'mini-series' this summer, preaching one sermon each in June, July and September that are related to one another.  Her first sermon will include the guys from Earth Group, Kori Chillibeck and Matt Moreau, who will have just returned from a humanitarian trip in Nigeria.

July 1.  No Service.  Enjoy Canada Day celebrations with family and friends


July 8.  Roslyn Bergen on 'Feeling Emo: Walking through Dark Places' from Psalm 88 with Harv's worship.

Roslyn is a former youth pastor, who came to Next with her family, shortly after leaving vocational ministry.  She and Jason are leaders of one of our worship teams.  Last summer Roslyn went through a difficult period of transition, which she will be sharing with you.  I got to first know Roslyn as her 'ordination mentor' (even though women can't be ordained in the Alliance.  I'm working on it!), and quickly came to respect and admire her.  Further, her husband Jason, is a fantastic painter.

July 15.  Graham English on 'My Sabbatical Experience' from Psalm 23 with Roslyn's worship team.

Graham is the Senior Pastor at Stony Plain Alliance Church, where he has served for over 10 years.  He is also my ministry BFF, in my Peer Group and working on the church planting team for Alberta (called Praxis) with me.  Most importantly, he is the smoothest and coolest pastor in the Alliance - all part of being South African.

It was Graham and his wife Wendy that really encouraged Sasha and I to request a sabbatical.  Their sabbatical 2 years ago was transformative in bringing about a new season of fruitfulness in their own lives and the life of their church.  Graham will walk you through this experience, and how it relates to Next.

July 22.  Tyler Halterman on 'Getting Noticed By God' from Psalm 13 with Simon's worship team.

Tyler and his family started attending Next nearly two years ago.  You are likely familiar with Tyler from his 'Blessings', Podcasts or New to Christianity Class.  If you have heard him once, you know the depth of the man.  As a life-coach, mentor and teacher, Tyler is a man of wisdom.  Further as I have gotten to know him, his love of God pours out of his life.

July 29.  Heather Yule on 'Don't Forget God' from Psalm 78 with Chelsey's worship team.

It's been five years since we scooped Heather out of Gateway Alliance Church.  Time certainly flies.  Once a year I ask her to preach, and she always graciously agrees.  (Consider for a moment organizing the Children's Ministry AND speaking all in one Sunday?  I wouldn't do it either).  Even though her primary ministry is to our children, Heather has a love for Jesus that we as adults should take note of.  Her message on July 29th will be reflective of the woman of faith that she is.

August 5.  Jill Burt on 'Be Strong' from Psalm 121 with Maureen's worship team.


August 12.  Jason Fernandes on 'God of Mercy' from Psalm 130 with Chelsey's worship team.


August 19.  Kyle Dube on 'The Importance of Helping Vulnerable People' with Harv's worship team.

Kyle was an usher at our wedding and went to Youth Group with Sasha 20 plus years ago.  We've known Kyle a long time.  I appreciate, as well as respect him more each passing year.  Through YOUCAN, Kyle is doing God's work, demonstrating the love of Jesus to disenfranchised youth.  His message will be filled with passion about the power of transformation.

August 26.  Landon Hildebrand on 'God, Change My Heart' with Roslyn's worship team.

Landon and Lindsey came to our church a few years ago.  It took me far too long to get to know them, but this passed year has changed that.  As well as leading our budding Youth Ministry, Landon is enrolled at Providence Theological Seminary in a Master's of Arts in Counselling Psychology.  He also was a Youth Pastor for a brief period many years ago.  An avid Chelsea soccer fan, Landon is also a man who is also deeply committed to all the right things:  his wife, his daughter, his family and his faith.

September 2.  Jill Burt on 'Be Grateful' from Psalm 138 with Harv's worship team.


September 9.  Jason Fernandes on 'Genesis Moment' from Psalm 51 with Maureen's worship team.


September 16.  Dean Kurpjuweit on 'Why We Need to Re-Write Our Story' from Acts 2 with Chelsey's worship team

My anticipation is that God will meet us in an incredible way this fall.  My hope is that through how God changes and renews me this summer, I will in-turn, be able to help lead us through a time of corporate renewing.  I believe that together, we will re-write our God story.

Sabbatical Questions You Might Have

First, I am so grateful and humbled by the response I have received from all of you regarding my upcoming sabbatical.  You have blessed me with your words of encouragement.

I figured there would be questions that you might have that I would answer via my blog.  Here it goes:

1.  What will I be doing in May? 

I am away for 10 days starting on May 11.  Some of this is pre-arranged holidays and some of it is due to my responsibilities on the National Nominating Committee for the C&MA.  We will be interviewing candidates in Toronto to become our next denominational president.  I am pleased to be able to serve on this committee, and for those of you wondering, the District and National Office are covering all my travel expenses.

The rest of May will be about setting things up for while I am gone.  Mostly, who is responsible for what, establishing some communication lines and setting up the Summer Service Schedule.  I will also prepare my last pre-sabbatical sermon on May 27^th.

And of course, there is the usual stuff!

My Sabbatical officially begins on May 28^th, after our Council meeting.

2.  Who will be the Senior Pastor while I am gone?

I am the Senior Pastor while I am on sabbatical.  That doesn’t change.  No one staff person or Council member will be the de-facto ‘Senior Pastor’.  My responsibilities will be divided out between Council and Staff for the three months.

3.  What if something comes up, who should I contact?

Start with any of the pastoral staff of Jason, Heather or Jill.  They are all extremely capable and wise.  They are good pastors.  Their contact information is on the website.  At least one of them will always be around during the time I am away.

4.  Who will be preaching?

I will release a preaching schedule in the next week or so. 

5.  Can we contact you?  Can we hang out?

I’ve been asked this a lot in the initial 24 hours.  The answer is ‘yes’ and ‘no’.  Meaning, I’m all down with hanging out on the golf course, driving range, at the movie theatre, etc….  Just don’t tell me how the church offerings have been.  Or attendance for that matter.  J

That said, I will not be using my cell phone, nor on Facebook or accessing my email.  You’ll have to find me the same way you did in 1998.

6.  What will you be doing?

I will be doing three things while on Sabbatical:  Grow, rest and re-entry. 

Grow:  I will be taking a distance education class through Regent College on Old Testament Foundations.  I’m really excited about this.

I also plan on enhancing my spiritual disciplines.  I will be going to National Assembly in Winnipeg to elect our new president and vote on the ordination of women (I’ll vote ‘yes’ in case there was any question). 

If there is one question for this time it is: “in what areas of my life do I need to grow?”.  June and some of July will be about growth.

Rest:  There are a few books that I want to read that are for the ‘soul’.  We also hope to have a vacation.   It is during this time that we plan on going for ministry counseling.

July and some of August will be rest, and the question will be ‘God, what do want to say to me?’

Re-entry:  As my return for Sabbatical becomes imminent, I will then start to read books on leadership and discipleship, while reflecting on my leadership and how I can better lead the church.  In the last part of August and the first part of September, the question I will ask is ‘God, what do you want to say to me about Next?’

The hope of any sabbatical is that there are things to achieve, but also a lot of flexibility.   I believe that my District Coach, our Church Council, and my accountability team of Graham English & Sandy Isfeld have helped me develop a plan that reflects this.

7.  Where will you go to church?

Wherever we feel like that Sunday.  Seriously, we will visit a few churches during this time.  It’ll be good for us to sit in church as a family.  We’ve never done that.  I do have to be careful about this though.  Usually when I visit another church I see everything through the lens of Next.  I need to be able to just go and receive.

8.  Is there anything we can do for you, Sasha and your family?

I’ve been asked this a few times, and the answer is ‘yes, please pray’.  We covet and need your prayers.  That I will come back refreshed, re-loaded and have a revelation or two. You can pray that both Sasha and I would be renewed and that this would be a wonderful time for our family.  You can ask God for a spiritual covering over us.

Some have offered to bring meals over and other tangible acts of kindness.  As much as your generosity is appreciated, it isn’t necessary.  We are not physically unwell – my cooking is still enjoyed by my family on most nights.  However, you are free to bring baking whenever.  Who doesn’t want baking?!?

I hope that this answers most of your questions.  If not, please feel free to contact me or anyone on Church Council.  I’ll see you all on May 27th.

Blessings,

Dean

‘Rise, Let Us Be On Our Way’

‘Rise, Let Us Be On Our Way’ is a memoir by Pope John Paul II, drawing from his experiences from the time he was first appointed a Bishop until his election as Pope.  It is a good read that I enjoyed 10 plus years ago.  It is a call to action: a pulling of the church towards mercy, strength, unity and peace. 

As you know, Easter is about a ‘rising’, namely Jesus from the dead.  This event created a cosmic shift in the relationship between God and creation.  It was and is the greatest moment in history, forever changing the past, present and future.

But it isn’t the only ‘rising’ that can should take place!

You too are to rise.  You are come up, get out, be done with, move on.  This, of course, is easier said than done.  But then again, so too was the resurrection of a man who was dead for about 3 days, Son of God or not.  And the same power, the same Spirit, that brought Jesus back to life is available to you and I.  This Divine power can bring you out of whatever circumstance you are in and give you new life.   A force that doesn’t stop at bringing you out of your pain or lethargy, but more, it’s a power that compels you to move out and beyond in mercy, love and grace.

This is the season of resurrections.  Paul wrote about it this way in his first letter to the church in Corinth:   “For as in the Adam all die, thus also in the Christ all shall be made alive.”   

The Easter Sunday, do more than celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus….make the decision to rise yourself.  And with God’s power in your life, just like Christ, you will.

The Last Blast of Winter

I write this looking outside my window onto a back yard with a lot of snow.  It is the end of February and this the first substantial snow fall of our winter.  After having only two weeks of extreme cold, one in November and one in January, it is strange to finally have a typical Edmonton Winter arrive so late.  That said, better now than May long weekend!

Spiritually speaking, there is occasion where some experience a late winter.  Many seem to go through life all easy-like.  No tragedy, nor sickness, nor financial stress.  Their kids all seem to turn out wonderful, have good careers, go to church and married fine people. 

Really, these people can be a little annoying.  Oh not them personally, just their situation.  Why should some people, seemingly, go through life with such apparent ease?

We sing a song at Next that goes ‘when all hope is lost, I’ll still call you Savior.’  Last year, we had someone leave the church, in part, because of songs like this.  He couldn’t stand ‘the self-loathing’.  He hadn’t a winter in his life, so he didn’t seem to understand the need for some to cry out to God in despair. 

Some of these people will one day get a last blast of winter.  They’ll think that spring is around the corner, that they avoided all sorts of trouble, and it’ll all be good.  They may even be right.

They also may not be right.  You never know when a snowstorm is going to hit.  Which is why I believe Lent is so important.  It helps us focus on Jesus, rely more on Him, get a firmer foundation in our spiritual life.  Lenten offers the opportunity, if taken seriously, to once a year grow a few inches deeper and few feet wider in our spiritual life.

I am not sure if an unexpected blast of winter will happen in your life or mine, but if it does, I hope that we will be spiritually ready.  Lent can help you be ready.  For Jesus, his ‘Lenten’ experience helped prepare him for ministry, and ultimately, his death (ugly winter!) and resurrection.  Luke 4 records Jesus’ temptation. 

“Now Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wild. ²For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by the Devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when the time was up he was hungry.

³The Devil, playing on his hunger, gave the first test: “Since you’re God’s Son, command this stone to turn into a loaf of bread.”

⁴Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: “It takes more than bread to really live.”

⁵For the second test he led him up and spread out all the kingdoms of the earth on display at once. ⁶Then the Devil said, “They’re yours in all their splendor to serve your pleasure. I’m in charge of them all and can turn them over to whomever I wish. ⁷Worship me and they’re yours, the whole works.”

⁸Jesus refused, again backing his refusal with Deuteronomy: “Worship the Lord your God and only the Lord your God. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness.”

⁹For the third test the Devil took him to Jerusalem and put him on top of the Temple. He said, “If you are God’s Son, jump. ¹⁰It’s written, isn’t it, that ‘he has placed you in the care of angels to protect you; ¹¹they will catch you; you won’t so much as stub your toe on a stone’?”

¹²“Yes,” said Jesus, “and it’s also written, ‘Don’t you dare tempt the Lord your God.’”

¹³That completed the testing. The Devil retreated temporarily, lying in wait for another opportunity.”

As you enter into this Lenten time, be mindful to take this seriously, in case a winter might come your way. 

Why Christians Should Have Been Supporting the Occupy Movement

I admit that politically and economically speaking, I am a fiscally conservative, social libertarian.  I also confess, that as a pastor I shouldn’t be public with this.  Typically we are to keep our politics to ourselves.  However, the Occupy Movement is bringing out my political passion.

There are two reasons for this.  The first is the judgment that is coming from certain groups within society about the people who were Occupying.  Unfortunately, I align myself with these groups. 

The first group is the Christian group.  The church has generally either ignored or scoffed at the Occupiers.  We have considered these people to be those we should show ‘pity’ towards, but not respect.

The second group is the politically conservative folk, who seem to view the Occupiers as dead beats who need to get a job. 

A few words of explanation, despite being a Libertarian (or Classical Liberal), I am not a hard and fast supply-side economics guy.  I believe that Government is good and has an important role in society.  I also believe that government should stay within that the role, and when it moves outside its parameters it usually has a negative in our lives.  I believe in the protection of civil liberties, but at times, citizens need to be protected from them selves.  I believe in paying my share of taxes.  I believe in having a strong social safety net that is equal across the country, which is why, as an Albertan, I am okay with the Transfer Payment Program.  I believe that capitalism is the best means to providing a healthy economy and more jobs for all.  I believe that Adam Smith’s ideals of economics are, in essence, correct, but need to be monitored and balanced with the common good.  I believe that nothing is more complex than a governing country that promotes prosperity while ensuring that people’s basic needs are being met.

I also hope that I have a holistic Gospel.  I am believe, rather strongly, that their needs to be both a proclamation of Truth and a demonstration of it.  These should be in perfect balance.  I grew up in a Christian tradition that was decidedly unbalanced:  we were all proclamation, all the time.  This has begun to change with the demonstration of the gospel being much more important in Evangelical circles (although generally not as important as the proclamation).  When I look at Jesus’ life and words it seems rather clear to me that He wants us both to help those in need, to demonstrate the love of God, while also telling others about the love of God.  I feel you can’t have one without the other.  I don’t believe that one is more important than the other.  We need both.

All of which made the Occupy Movement so fascinating for me.

The more I listened and watched, the more I read the emails forwarded to me as well as the comments on Twitter and Facebook, the more uncomfortable I became with what I was reading and hearing.  

The Occupiers were being called things like ‘homeless’, ‘smelly’, ‘unkept’ and ‘needing to get a real job’….all of which were true about Jesus.  They were also labeled as ‘hypocrites’, something Jesus was not.   These labels came from elected officials, media types, and church members. 

While I too was flabbergasted that these people could ‘occupy’ for so long without receiving a pay cheque (how many of us could survive a week or two without income?!?), I understood ‘why’ people are upset.  And, I would surmise, that all of us who are Christ-followers AND politically curious should be a little enraged right now.  Here is why.

The wealth gap in our country, as well as the United States, is growing.  There is a lower to middle class cash flow squeeze that is increasing.  It may become a crisis.  (Consider for a moment, if the lower to middle class completely vanishes, and North America is left with two economic groups:  wealthy and poor.  Landowner and Serf.  The trajectory is slowly moving in this direction.  The ‘middle class’ no longer live comfortably, but instead, marginally.)  Meanwhile, those with cash benefit because of a system that puts the wealthiest first.  To be clear, I have zero issue with what the wealthiest receive rather I have issue that the same opportunities don’t exist for those who live month-to-month.

Here are a few examples:

1.  Those who live month-to-month are unable to buy in bulk.  They simply cannot afford $70 on wholesale pasta sauce ‘to have enough for the next 12 months.’  Those who have more cash flow can, thereby saving money over the long haul.  Put another way, places like Costco mostly benefit the wealthy, not the lower class.

2.  There are usually two options for parents when it comes to paying extra-curricular activities.  At a discounted rate you can pay the whole cost upfront or pay month-to-month at full pop.  Again, by having more cash up front, the wealthiest save money, while those who have less margin of error, pay more.

3.  The better the credit rating, the better the credit rate.  This is century old truism.  The problem with this is that the people who need a break in their credit rate, are those who are struggling to get by. They are the ones for whom a few points can make a huge difference.

4.  To invest money in stocks, real estate or precious metals, one needs a lump sum of cash.  The larger the lump sum, the greater likelihood of gaining a positive return on the investment.  Again, who is in a better position to make a large investment?  (I recall as a 19 year old I wanted to buy some stock.  I called my banker who asked how much I had.  I told him that I could put in around $100 to $200 dollars.  I was told I needed at least a $1000.00, and he convinced me to buy a Canada Savings Bond!)

5.  The reality is, corporate bailouts, corporate handouts and tax incentives are rampant.  It seems the bigger the company the more likely they are to receive government assistance in times of trouble (hello GM!).  Part of this reason is to protect thousands of employees from losing their jobs.  This is a good thing.  But often, many employees were laid off anyway, while executives took massive salaries, bonuses and collected on stock options.  (Watch the movie ‘The Company Men’).

Occupy lost its narrative (perhaps they never had it!), they lacked leadership, they never moved from Organic to Organized.  They contradicted themselves – a lot.

But there is something as to WHY they were upset.  There is a wealth gap, an increasing one, and the longer we choose to ignore it, could very well result in our peril.

As Christians, it is time we stood up and found our Social Justice voice and speak out against this.  As Conservatives and Libertarians, it is time we found our voice and pushed our governments towards broader fiscal policy:  namely, ensuring that the same opportunities exist for the lower and middle classes to borrow, invest and purchase as the rich do.

So the next time you are in Costco buying 10 packages of bacon for $35.00, remember the family who can only afford to buy one package at Walmart for $4.00.  You, who can afford to, just saved $5.00, while those who cannot are forced to spend more.

When you go to purchase a vehicle and receive near wholesale cost because you paid cash, remember the family who is struggling to afford the payments on their mini-van.

When you buy a rental revenue property, cabin or a vacation home, consider the person who is struggling to keep a roof over the head of his family. 

When you are looking at your company’s bottom line, perhaps remember the employees that helped get you there.  Maybe consider a raise or profit sharing or incentives program, rather than just pocketing all the profits.

Although many didn’t like how the Occupiers protested, and their messengers seemed to be without a message, there is something occurring in our economics that is disconcerting.  Advantages exist for high-income people, while others are left to figure out each month.  This is anti-Christian, anti-Conservative and anti-Libertarian.  We believe in equal opportunity for all, in fairness, justice, generosity, civil liberties and rights, and freedom.

That is why they Occupied, and that is why you and I should have supported them.

Church Leadership 103: What is Next's Structure?

This is the third and last post of a series on church leadership.  Here’s hoping this trilogy is more in-line with the original “Star Wars” Series, than say, the “Back to the Future” trilogy.  (I mean, really, the first one was good, but they got real bad after that!).

Now that we have looked at the qualifications of Eldership and the biblical role that they are play, the last question to answer is how this all plays out in our local church.  What is our structure?  To lay this out in the simplest form, I want to identify and define 6 groups of people.

Congregation:  These are the people that consider Next their church home.  Everyone in the congregation is important, has value, can have a leadership role and influence in church matters. 

Members:  A Member is someone who has ‘signed on the dotted line’.  They are ‘all in’.  They have publically declared that Next is their church home.  Membership isn’t a biblical deal, but it is an important one.  First, because the government requires us to have a membership for charitable status purposes.  Second, it communicates to the church leadership who can be counted on.

Members only have a couple of privileges over and above someone in the congregation.  They can serve on our Church Council and the Nominating Committee, and only a Member can vote at a General Meeting (budget, Council, capital expenditures, etc…)

To become a Member at Next, one has to have been baptised, had a public declaration of their faith, gone through an interview with the Church Council and agreed to our Community Covenant.

Staff:  The role of the pastoral staff is to give spiritual and organizational leadership within their ministry portfolio.  In the case of our pastoral staff, Heather leads our Children’s Ministry, Jill gives leadership to our values of ‘A Caring Church’ and ‘A Friendly Church’, while Jason leads Sol Café.  The pastoral staff are to recruit and train up volunteer leaders, while giving direction, oversight and vision to their ministry. 

We also have contract staff whose scope of responsibility is more limited.  While a pastoral staff is a relationship based ministry, contract staff are more tasked based.  In our case Chelsey’s responsibility is to find renters for our facility, while Fiona ensures the church remains clean.

All staff report directly to the Senior Pastor.

Senior Pastor:  The Senior (Lead) Pastor position is most similar to an Executive Director role in a not-for-profit.  Essentially, the Senior Pastor is responsible for the overall organizational, relational and spiritual health of the church.  It is primarily the Senior Pastor that is accountable to move the church forward in a healthy and God honouring way.

In our context, the Senior Pastor reports to, and is therefore, accountable to the Church Council.  The constitution of the Christian & Missionary Alliance, allows for the Senior Pastor to be both Chair of the Elders Board (Council) and Nominating Committee.  I have always relinquished these roles, as I believe it would put me in a conflict of interest.  That said, I am an active participate on our Church Council. 

I am not sure how helpful this example is, but in many respects the Senior Pastor works ‘on’ the church (macro matters) while the staff is to work ‘in’ the church (micro matters).

Nominating Committee:  the Nominating Committee is a group of four that nominate Members who are willing to serve on our Church Council.  They are to present no less than 6 Members for 6 Council positions.  Ideally, the Nominating Committee will nominate 8 people to give an electoral choice.  The whole Membership than votes on who they would like to serve on Church Council.

The Nominating Committee is made up of one person currently on Council and three people elected from the floor at the previous years AGM.  The Senior Pastor is allowed to ‘veto’ any Members that he or she believes is not ready to serve in this capacity (I Timothy, Titus).  Short of this, the Nominating Committee is free to approach anyone on our Membership List for Church Council service.

Any Member is limited to three consecutive, one-year terms on our church Council.

Council:  The Church Council is the highest form of leadership in our church.  Their responsibilities are to set parameters, policy, direction, measurements to the Senior Pastor. The Church Council is to make decisions on behalf of the Membership as it relates to personnel, finances and overall direction.  According to Hebrews 13:17b “….they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”

The Church Council is accountable to the Membership for their actions and decisions.  Although technically not so, in a practical sense, a Membership vote against a Council recommendation is a vote of ‘non-confidence’ in the churches’ leadership.

No ‘one person’ on Church Council has authority.  Instead, it is the collective group that has constitutional and biblical authority in the church.

One of the more unique organization functions in the Alliance is the relationship between the denomination, Elder’s Board and Senior Pastor.  This plays out in a few different ways, but in the area of direct ‘accountability’, denominational leadership cannot ‘fire’ the Senior Pastor without the Boards approval.  Nor can the Board ‘fire’ the Senior Pastor without denominational consent.  This is mainly to protect the Senior Pastor.  It ensures that the denomination can’t over-step their authority within the local church, and it also ensure that the Board doesn’t fire their pastor a whim (perhaps after a bad sermon).

Denomination:  The denominations structure and role is too long and complicated to lay out in this blog, but there are a few key points that bare explanation as it relates to Next.

First, through District Offices (ours is in Calgary) the denomination holds all authority when it comes to licensing and credentials.  Our pastoral staff are all licensed by the District Office. 

Second, the denomination holds title on all property OWNED by the local church.  This is to ensure that an Alliance Church can’t simply go ‘rogue’.  Given that we presently lease, this doesn’t affect us.  But, if we are to ever build or own a church building, this will be enforced.

Third, in extreme cases, the District Office has used its authority to disband a church Elder’s Board.  This only happens when a church is so unhealthy that disbandment is the only alternative.

Fourth, the Senior Pastor has indirect accountability to the District Superintendent.  On the ‘day-to-day’ of church leadership, the Senior Pastor reports to the Council.  On the ‘year-to-year’, the Senior Pastor reports to the District Superintendent (or their appointee) AS WELL AS the Church Council. 

In the case of the Western Canadian District (Alberta and the Northwest Territories) of the Christian & Missionary Alliance, the District has taken a posture of wanting to help the local church have its greatest impact for God.  In other words, rather than being ‘top-down’ they have taken a coaching and supporting role as much as possible.

How it all works (in a nut shell):

*The Church Council is accountable to the Membership

*The Nominating Committee is accountable to the Membership

*The Senior Pastor is accountable to both the Church Council and the Denomination

*The staff are accountable to the Senior Pastor

*The Membership represents the congregation in all voting matters

I realize that this is a lot of information, but I trust it helps you understand the structure of Next.

Dean

Church Leadership 102: What do Elders do?

This is the second in a series of blogs on church leadership. In the last post I wrote about the qualifications for elders serving in the local church. Today’s blog is about the function or task of an Elder.

The word “elder” means to be an “overseer”. In our context we generally think of someone in this position as “the boss”. But what does it mean really mean to be an overseer” In a broad sense an “overseer” is someone who has been entrusted with the master’s estate. To be an “overseer” in the church means that the elders  (Church Council) have been entrusted to steward the care of the spiritual community.

Paul's first letter to Timothy is referred to as a "pastoral epistle".  This is because the purpose of the letter is to give instruction concerning the ministry for the church.   Paul writes extensively about issues of doctrine and teaching (1:3, 10; 3:2; 4:6, 13, 14, 16; 5:17; etc.). His second letter to Timothy emphasizes much of the same (1:6, 8, 13; 2:2; etc.), as does his letter to Titus (1:9; 2:1; etc.)

One of the things that Elders are suppose to do is oversee the teaching component within a church.  They are, in essence, responsible for discipleship.

According to Acts 20:20 elders are responsible for both public and private teaching. While our Church Council may not be the primary teachers, they are responsible to make sure that the sound biblical teaching occurs within the church.  Further, this refers to the spiritual maturity to teach, not the spiritual GIFT of teaching.  Simply put, elders are to have the spiritual depth to be a teacher, but are not necessarily called to be teachers within the church.

In very practical terms, the Church Council for Next is responsible for:

*defending our faith by refuting and rebuking false teachers (I Timothy 1:18; Jude 3; Titus 1:9-16). When someone in the church is promoting an errant doctrine within our community and leading others astray the elders are to protect the congregation.

*guarding people from errors and sins and dangers of all kinds, both from within and without (Acts 20:28-31; Hebrews 13:7; I Timothy 4:16). Since the Church Council are overseers they are to ensure that the congregation is well protected from things such as gossip, malicious talk, favouritism, divisiveness, impurity and other sins that would harm the health of the church.

*exhortation (Titus 1:9; II Timothy 4:2), which combines all the ideas of encouragement, comfort, persuasion, counselling, teaching, rebuking, etc. Our Church Council are to come alongside people and bring words of strong encouragement. To exhort actually means to “spur each other on”. That means that elders are to call people into spiritual growth and urge them on as they do so.

*governance (I Peter 5:1-2; I Timothy 5:17). Elders are called to lead the church. The Church Council is responsible and accountable to make decisions on behalf of the congregation.  They are to lead with the best interest of the whole body in mind.

*be spiritual pace setters.  The Church Council is to lead both by precept and example (I Timothy 4:12; I Peter 5:3). Elders live out the gospel and call people to follow Christ in the same pattern in which they live.

While all elders do not have identical duties, it is the responsibility of our Church Council to lead, exhort, govern and teach. Within this basic guideline are many other responsibilities (such as prayer, guarding, etc.). It is the inescapable duty of the Church Council to serve our church in this way. This is God's prescribed method of leadership for the church.

The role of elder is not to be taken lightly. It is a challenging role that requires great diligence, patience, wisdom and humility. It is a role so large that no one can do it in our own abilities and strength. Our Church Council needs God’s enabling, as well as the prayer support of the whole congregation! It is a massive responsibility, but it is also can be an enriching one.

Blessings,

Pastor Dean