Congregational Collaboration

Congregational Collaboration
May 31 and June 14

In late April, the Deacons and Leadership Team gathered for a half-day retreat. We spent the morning focused on growth and opportunities in line with our 5 Guiding Statements (click to read). When you pause and review what we have accomplished together, it is encouraging—from property redevelopment and governance restructuring, to launching online worship streaming and growing as a community that reflects the diversity of Halifax. 

We also recognized opportunities for continued growth. One of those is giving more attention to our online community. We heard from a long-time member who relies on the online streaming to stay connected to our community, our newest member who spent over a year worshipping online before joining us in person, and two regular worshippers who live outside our geographic region. We recognized both the growth of this community and the need to deepen connection with those online, while also improving the quality of the streaming experience, particularly for music. This growth aligns with Guiding Statements One and Two.

We also heard an initial report from the Deacon ad hoc committee on Global Justice and Baptist Connections. A clear focus of the committee’s findings is the opportunity before us to increase engagement nationally and internationally. They have outlined direct ways that members of our congregation can be involved in issues of justice in Canada and in building a network of global Baptists who share many of our values. This growth aligns with Guiding Statement Three.

As we celebrated the life of our congregation and looked ahead to our third century together, we also named areas where greater capacity may be needed. One of those conversations centred on the potential for calling a second full-time clergy person to join our staff team.

Before we begin scattering for summer, the Deacons and Leadership Team invite the Congregation to participate in two sessions of conversation and collaboration.  These gatherings are not intended for decision-making, but rather opportunities to celebrate the work we are doing together and to share wisdom, questions, and hopes around tables. We need to hear from you! 

Each of the upcoming sessions will last approximately one hour and are set to begin at 11:30 (worship services will be slightly abbreviated, ending around 11:15). We’ll have snacks, but will not serve lunch as our aim is to be done no later than 12:30.

Session One: May 31
Focus: Reflecting on the 5 Guiding Statements

• What have we accomplished together?
• What opportunities are emerging?
• What priorities are taking shape for the future?

Session Two: June 14
Focus: Planning for next steps

These two sessions will prepare us for further conversations in the fall and the launch of a more sustained visioning effort leading into our 200th anniversary in September 2027.