This month’s meeting began with our bi-annual pastor-elder dinner. I always look forward to this particular gathering—and not just because of the meal!—because it is a great time of fellowship with all the fantastic people that lead our church so faithfully and well! It is an opportunity for elders and pastors to get together, break bread, chat candidly about life and ministry, and finally pray for our pastors. We are so blessed to have such genuine, faithful, hardworking pastors that care and lead our church community.
As our dinner closed and we began the business part of the meeting, the elders were joined by our new elder candidates. This was time designated for the elder candidates to be introduced to the elders and for the candidates to ask questions and gain clarity about eldership. While a number of men were nominated, some of those nominated aren’t ministry partners and others did not sense that now was a time to proceed with the discernment process, and therefore we have three amazing candidates continuing through the mutual discernment process. We ask that you would lift them up in prayer as we discern their calling to take up the mantle of eldership. Again, we are so blessed that God raises up such godly men from amongst us to lead and shepherd well.
We are grateful that the Lord provides new elders as we have several current elders moving on this year. Four of us (Tyler, Eddy, Rich, and myself) will be moving on to lead Promontory as it becomes autonomous this fall, as well as Elders Gary Baars and Alf Wiebe will be stepping off as their terms are up. We thank them for their tireless service, and we ask that you would lift them up in prayer as they continue to serve our church and community in different capacities.
One of our values here at Central is “Equipped for Ministry.” One of the ways we have done this is through our Ministry Internship Program. This program has included theological training and practical ministry experience and has been very successful over the past few years. We now have the opportunity to take the next step of building robust discipleship by launching a School of Ministry. We have hired Dr. Jorge Salazar to serve as the director with classes launching on Monday and Thursday evenings this Fall. Again we ask for prayer both for Jorge and this program as we seek to further educate and equip believers for ministry.
Finally, we discussed the progress on Promontory’s move to autonomy. Promontory is on track to become autonomous this fall as Promontory Community Church. We have been able to find the needed staff and begun a youth program that is off to a great start. This August, Promontory will begin its own sermon series leading up to a September launch. Please pray as we embark on this journey. Central’s goal has always been to plant healthy churches across the eastern Fraser Valley and this is part of the culmination of that work. We are forever grateful for the support and partnership we have with Central!
This is my last elder update as a Central Elder before I move on to Promontory. Central has been such an amazing place for me to grow and learn. I am excited for the next chapter, both for Promontory and for Central, and ultimately for the Kingdom of God moving forward in the Fraser Valley!
Justin Vugteveen
- On behalf of the Elders at Central Community
Finance Update
As is our practice, the elders received a year to date report indicating Central’s financial positions as related to income and expenses. The Central budget is geared towards ensuring that our vision of seeing the entire easter Fraser Valley transformed by the Gospel is resourced accordingly. It includes income and expenses for all five campuses. While giving is received in varying degrees throughout the year, expenses tend to be more constant and measured. Year to date giving is slightly ahead of the same period last year at $800,457 to the end of April. Expenses for the same period are well within budget parameters and include final payments for the final portion of our Let There Be Light project (sanctuary lighting), a downpayment on roof repairs required this summer, and miscellaneous expenses related to winter operations. These extraordinary expenses total approximately $88,000 and make up a significant part of our year to date shortfall of $148,685.
As we head into the summer months the elders encourage the congregation to consider how you might support the ministry of the church during what is traditionally a more lean season in terms of giving. Signing up for our automated giving option is one way of supporting the church in a practical way. Ministry plans continue, especially as we embark on two new ministry initiatives. Our Care and Counselling ministry, and the School of Ministry set to begin this Fall are in the process of establishing plans for effective long-term ministry. Plans for releasing the Promontory Campus as an autonomous church continue to press ahead and they have financial implications for Central, both in terms of providing support to the congregation as they launch, and as related to the Central budget as a whole. Please join the elders in praying for wisdom to navigate the many ministry facets and opportunities that make up Central and our corporate vision.
ELDER'S PRAYER
We believe in the power of prayer. We value prayer. And we believe that God answers prayer and uses it as a means of achieving His purposes in the church and world.
Central's Elders invite you to come and receive prayer in the Chilliwack Campus Sanctuary.
Tuesday, June 17 | 6.30PM - 7.00PM
Chilliwack Campus | 46100 Chilliwack Central Road
You can also submit prayer requests using the link below.
Got questions or words of encouragement? We'd love to hear from you!
Please contact The Elders - elders@centralcommunity.ca