This past Tuesday, we once again met as Elders, starting as we usually do on our knees in a time of prayer for our church. We brought before the Lord many items of praise and the many burdens that people in our congregation are carrying. We started our meeting by reviewing a chapter on church government in the book Systematic Theology (Wayne Grudem) and the article A Job Description for Lay Elders (9Marks). We then had a robust discussion on what it means to lead as a plurality of elders. It is beautiful to learn and grow together in grace as church leaders, and we are thankful for the unity and respect we have for one another as elders.
As we head into summer, many exciting things are happening throughout. Youth will be carrying on with some intentional events, and each of our campuses will also be a week of summer day camps for kids, where our prayer is for children from the community who do not know Jesus, to join our kids, come have fun, learn about Him, and be cared for well by our church community. We are extremely grateful for all those who have signed up to volunteer for that and all the other ministries, like Central Kids, which carries on every Sunday throughout the summer. Our prayer is that this summer staff can have meaningful holidays and times of rest as we gear up for another busy ministry season in the fall.
This fall, Dr. Salazar will be offering two classes. One called “Why The Bible?” and the other “Giants of the Faith”. These can be taken for college but will also be offered very reasonably for those in our congregation and community who would love to spend more time in the Word, deepening their faith with good teaching. Along with regular men’s and women’s ministries, we will also host Freedom Session again, which will be held at Sardis Fellowship Baptist Church. Last year, we had close to 50 participants graduate, and we would invite anyone who feels God prompting them to join us on that healing and discipleship journey.
Another wonderful blessing is all the people who are becoming ministry partners and getting baptized this summer at Harrison Lake. We could have over 30 people being baptized on August 28. We elders each take a handful of people and meet with everyone who is becoming a ministry partner and getting baptized. It is one of the highlights of being an elder to hear the stories of faith from those in our congregation, taking that next step in their walk with God.
As our church continues to grow in many different ways, we are very pressed for space on Sunday mornings. We are planning to do a small renovation of the main sanctuary to add another row of chairs in the front, as well as a few along the sides where the stairs are. This should happen in the next month or so, when attendance is typically down a bit with people being gone on summer holidays. We are looking to add seats in the most economical way possible and are blessed with people helping in very practical ways in this little renovation project.
As this is my last elder update as Alf Wiebe and I are stepping aside as elders, I would like to take the opportunity to thank those who pray for us as elders, and for the grace that many have given to me. I have never felt qualified or worthy of the role, but God has been gracious, and I felt He has used the role to build my character healthily. Serving alongside Pastor Matt, Ron, and all the other elders has been an honour. My prayer is that we can continue as a church to fulfil our vision of reaching the entire Eastern Fraser Valley with the gospel.
Gary Baars
- On behalf of the Elders at Central Community
Finance Update
The elders celebrate God’s faithfulness through his people. Donations to the mission of the church continue to faithfully provided by Central as a whole with year to date giving slightly ahead of the year to date giving of the previous year. Across the campuses we have received $1,021,651 in donations. These funds are invested in our various endeavours to reach the Eastern Fraser Valley including two more recent ministry initiatives, our Care and Counselling ministry, and the recently commissioned School of Ministry slated to start this Fall. Overall revenue is lower that the previous year due in large part to our Let There Be Light campaign last year. It was noted that overall expenses are well under budget parameters with the exception of an investment in technology to support these two burgeoning ministries and provide new equipment for the Promontory campus that will soon become autonomous. Maintenance and repair across the campuses continues to prove challenging to manage with the Slesse room in Chilliwack requiring a new roof after 25+ years of use. The overall shortfall of income to expenses to the end of May sits at $183,509 slightly higher that the previous month. 
Summer traditionally tends to be a lean season in terms of consistent giving to the mission of the church even as regular ministry continues and events like Day Camp and youth missions to Camp Bob continue. The elders encourage the congregation to consider how they might continue their support of our determination to reach the Eastern Fraser Valley throughout the summer months. Over the summer we anticipate some renovations to the Chilliwack sanctuary as we increase seating capacity. While costs will be kept to a minimum, the elders have determined that this is an import practical investment in response to our continued growth and space limitations. Recently, Central experienced a fire set by an arsonist that was caught in the beginning stages. Even so, smoke and equipment damage will require us to call on our insurance to repair and replace equipment. We are grateful that the fire did not spread significantly and thankful for the Chilliwack Fire Department who attended and put it out quickly. The elders ask that you join them in prayer asking God to provide for the many and varied ministries Central embraces as we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
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, September 16 | 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