Women in Ministry Leadership Dialogue

Preamble and Overview

As an elders team, we are committed this spring  to lead JRCC through the constructive tension of analyzing our biblical interpretation and our present context with respect to questions of calling, giftedness, and the roles of men and women in the life of a local church. We invite all views, questions, and concerns to be expressed in healthy and respectful ways; driven not by emotion or experience, but by theological conviction.   

Rationale—We are engaged in this discussion because...

  • We have a unique opportunity to intentionally and prayerfully choose our governance model instead of relying on models inherited by default. 
  • Clear leadership polity (organizational structure) can inform and strengthen our communal mission. By engaging in the conversation, we have the opportunity to explore what leadership structures and practices will best honour God and reach people in our community. 
  • We want to affirm and release our church family in the discovery and practice of their gifts and calling. 
  • It will clarify some of the defining characteristics, responsibilities, and accountability that all church leaders must possess. 
  • It will help us understand and appreciate the ways in which both genders add unique value and diversity to specific roles within the church.  
  • It will equip us to recognize and appropriately manage the influence of emotions and personal histories on our spiritual lives, our interpretation of the Bible, and our corporate discussions. 
  • We will learn how to reason together and argue amicably. In the process, we will mature as a congregation. Afterward, we will be well equipped to engage in other complex issues of faith, mission, and practice. 
  • We will learn more about God's intent for the church - how it is to be led and the high standards to which all those engaged in ministry leadership must aspire together.

Process—We will engage in this dialogue through...

PRAYER – We will spend concerted time praying together asking  for biblical wisdom and discernment, healthy discussions, and church unity.
FORUMS – We will host four church-wide events for teaching, dialogue and interaction with key themes and elements of the discussion.
DIALOGUE – We are creating eight weekly discussion groups at various times and locations to process this vibrant conversation together.
DECISION – After listening and discerning, the elders will conclude this process by formulating and distributing a position paper that will outline our policy and practice. The goal is for this to occur in January of 2010 so that a policy is in place before future candidates are considered for eldership in mid-2010.  

Teaching FORUMS
Description:  The forums are the “content’” aspect of our dialogue… they are large-group presentations on various core topics by both internal and external presenters.   
Location: North Langley Community Church's Upper Room (21015—96th Ave).
Notes: Free childcare, coffee and desserts will be provided

Sunday, April 26, 6-8 PM
Church Family: Understanding our Polity (structure), Process, and our Playbook for the WIML dialogue 

Tuesday, May 12, 7:30-9:30 PM    
Missional Context: Understanding our denominational history and how our setting and culture influence decisions. 

Sunday, May 24, 4-8 PM (dinner provided)
Biblical Understanding: Exploring the main texts in the Bible and arguments from both sides of the spectrum.

Sunday, June 14, 6-8 PM
Listening to Each Other: Presentations from Discussion Groups and discerning readiness to make a decision. 

Discussion Groups**
We’re re-purposing our LIFE Groups for this seven week period and opening up several new venues and times for you to jump in. Dialogue on what you are learning personally, express your opinion, and listen together. Select and invest in one of these groups for the duration of the dialogue—you’ll develop new relationships in the process!       

Tuesday Groups

  • NEW - 3:30-5 PM (Jericho Starbucks, 200th & 72nd); facilitator: Brad Sumner
  • 7:30-9:30 PM (Willoughby, meeting at Dan & Laura Martens' home); facilitator: Steph Ratcliff; elder: Al Thiessen
  • 7:30-9:30 PM (Willoughby, meeting at the McCarthy home); facilitators: Jon & Anita McCarthy; elder: Joel Schacter

Wednesday Groups

  • 6:00-7:00 AM (Langley City, meeting at Galilee Fly & Tackle, #6 - 20555 56th Ave); facilitator: Adam Drake; elder: Curtis Cottrell
  • 7:30-9:30 PM (Walnut Grove, meeting at Trevor & Kristin Brown's home); facilitator: Keith Reed

Thursday Groups

  • 7:30-9:30 (University District, meeting at Leo & Betty Van Wensem's home); facilitator: Judy Friesen; elder: Arnie Friesen
  • NEW - 7:30-9:30 (Langley City, meeting at Mike & Pam Price's home); facilitator: Anita Manderson; elder: Bryan Reddekopp 

** For any other information about these discussion cycles, please contact Keith Reed. 

General Resources

  1. Playbook - Guidelines for Respectful Dialogue 
  2. Calendar - What's happening when
  3. Event details - What's being discussed at each meeting
  4. Resource List - Books & Articles to help you dig deeper

Join the Discussion Online (click here) - Note: as of the conclusion of this process in Jan 2010, the online forum has been suspended pending our moving over to a new web platform

FORUM #1 - Church Leadership - Sunday, April 26 6-8 PM
List of available Resources for this Forum:

  1. MP3 audio recording (approx 120 minutes in length)
  2. Handout on Leadership Structure at JRCC
  3. Handout for Herb Neufeld's Discussion 

 

 FORUM #2 - Missional Context - Tuesday, May 12 7:30-9:30 PM
List of available Resources for this Forum:

  1. MP3 audio recording (approx 120 minutes in length - all tracks)
  2. Ken Peter's Discussion Outline
  3. Ken Peter's Excerpt from his Dissertation
  4. Excerpt from Outreach Canada Demographics
  5. Full Demographic information from Outreach Canada 

FORUM #3 - Biblical Understanding - Sunday, May 24 4-8 PM
List of available Resources for this Forum:

  1. MP3 audio recording (each track is approximately 20 minutes long)
  2. Andrew Dyck's Handout
  3. Jonny Thiessen's Handout

 FORUM #4 - Listening to Each Other - Sunday, June 14 6-8 PM
List of available Resources for this Forum:

  1. MP3 audio recording (approx 120 minutes in length - all tracks)

SURVEY -  (online version of paper survey distributed Sunday June 21)  Note: As of the conclusion of this process in Jan 2010, the online survey has been suspended pending our move to a new web-based platform in 2010.   


WIML POSITION PAPER  - Click here for the 2 page PDF

On Sunday, January 31, 2010, the Elders team brought the WIML process to its conclusion by distributing and presenting JRCC's position paper on the topic.  We welcome continued feedback and input in the following forums:

1) In person - the elders are hosting a drop-in listening session on Wed, Feb 3 from 7:30 - 9 PM at the TOL Municipal Building (Nickomeckel Room on the 4th Floor).  All are welcome.  You can also speak to any one of the elders in person. 

2) On the Phone or via E-mail - We welcome dialogue and respose.  Your quesitons and insight on the process and outcome can be directed to Brad Sumner.   (NOTE: If you are a church leader who is seeking any additional resournces or dialogue, we welcome you to connect.  This has been a healthy and edifying process for us at Jericho and we welcome the opportunity to share our story and expereince with you).