Rev. Dr. John PentlandWebinar

INTRODUCTION of ME…

• Who am I?

• Ontario UCC

• 1988 Alberta…Rainbow / Deer Park / United Way / Hillhurst United

• D.Min Thesis @ Chicago Theological Seminary 2004 “Speaking Faith in Public Space”

• Foot in – Foot Out….

• Married 4 kids / Cyclist/ Racquet Sports

BIBLICAL GROUNDING

Throw your nets on the other side.- John 21 -

FISHING TIPS

1. Let Leaders Lead2. Expand Your Circles3. Discern Your Values4. Don’t Fight The Resurrection5. Pay For What You Want, Not What You Have6. Pay It Forward7. Connect With Culture8. Say Who You Are9. Worship Matters10. Final Words

THE BOOK

What it is:• Story• Tip• WWJS• Questions• Wrote/Rewrote/Wrote/Read

What it’s not:• Blue Print• ‘How to’ Manual• Cookie Cutter

BAYSVILLE LIBRARY

FOUNDATIONAL THOUGHTS

Spiritual

- & -Religious

Then: believe > behave > belong

Now: belong > behave > believe

MEANING vs. HAPPINESS

People seek meaning… not happiness

1. Creative Leisure

2. Connection to Family / Friends

3. Commitment to Common Social Projects

4. Time to Reflect

Through Time

Age of Faith 0 – 400

•intimate

•practice

•Ways of Jesus

•Food, Lifestyle

Through Time

Age of Belief 400 – 1900•Creeds formed

• Institution

•Roles defined

•Heady

• in/out

•Male/female

Through Time

Age of Spirit 1900 – present• Open

• Disregard for denomination

• Spirit led

• Pentecostal Spirit

• “What is your church doing?”

• Fluid, nimble, organic

FINDING MEANING

Faith is about a meaningful life.

Jesus was about a meaningful life.

The Spirit invites us to a meaningful life.

Does the Church encourage a meaningful life?

GREAT SPIRITUAL MIGRATION

BY BRIAN MCLAREN

THREE MAJOR SHIFTS

• WE ARE SHIFTING SPIRITUALLY FROM DEFINING OURSELVES BY BELIEFS TO DEFINING OURSELVES BY A WAY OF LIFE DEFINED BY LOVE.

• WE ARE SHIFTING THEOLOGICALLY BY MOVING FROM THE IDEA OF A VIOLENT SUPREME BEING TO A RENEWING SPIRIT AT WORK IN THE WORLD.

• WE ARE SHIFTING MISSIONALLY IN THAT PEOPLE ARE IDENTIFYING LESS AND LESS WITH ORGANIZED RELIGION AND MORE AND MORE WITH CAUSES SUCH AS THE ENVIRONMENT, PEACE, AND POVERTY.

HILLHURST UNITED CHURCH

HILLHURST UNITED CHURCH

THE NUMBERS TELL THE STORY

2004• 70 people on Sundays.

• Elderly – nice- intimate

• 0 kids registered.

• 1 Sunday service

• 120 families

• $120,000 annual budget

• 45-50 people at Sunday lunches.

• No website activity

• No social media

• Traditional paid ad with Service

times

• Formal – Traditional

• No real programming

2019• 350 - 450 people on Sundays

• 705 people EASTER

• CHRISTMAS EVE 1608

• 257 kids registered/100 weekly

• 2 Sunday services

• Contemplative Services 7am Wed

and 7 pm

• 435 + families

• $956,000 annual

• 125-150 people at Sunday lunches

• 8000 website page views/month

• 3200+ Facebook friends

• Hillhurst is in the news OPINION

• 1/3 ; 1/3 ; 1/3 UCC/Catholic or

Evangelical/Atheist or Agnostic

• Evangelical spirit Progressive

Theology

Tip 1

LET LEADERS LEAD

LET LEADERS LEAD

Professional Will

Vision

Longer term Vision where were we are goingHigh beam Parables of Jesus …”What does Kingdom of God look like”?

Nellies Line up ….what do we have to do for a line up?

Asked to Lead and Connect to Community!

Personal Humility Grounded

Attentive to those around youWhat are people saying?

Humus …earthiness…Low Beam

• We need to be clear that HOW we treat each other matters. People “sniff out” churches for behaviours and practices that say “who they are”.

• Is respect, compassion, inclusion in the air?

• Is their an “in group” and “out group”

• How do we have “oneness”?

Right People On (or Off) the Bus• We have to ask people to be in the right spot,

leave the seat

• We don’t accept Bullies no matter how much they contribute.

LET LEADERS LEAD

Do you invite your Minister to lead?Are people in the right seats?

New VisionLine up at tattoo shopWhat do we need to do to have a line up at church?Satellite for Hillhurst United Church?

Tip 2

EXPAND YOUR

CIRCLES OF INTEREST

• Churches tend to focus on people who have been around for a long time

• Not on “who could be here?”

• It is important to expand your circles.

CIRCLES OF INTEREST

CommittedThere no matter what - faithful! +/-

ComfortableRegular attendance - okay with change +

CuriousNew – open - non-Church - uncomfortable

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?

Stephanie

WHERE IS FOCUS?

• IS it who is THERE or NOT THERE?

• Both matter, but often it is SO inward NO ONE can enter…I say people NOT THERE MATTER

• Call this evangelism if you like, sense is people sniff for authenticity, realness, inclusion.

CIRCLES OF INTEREST

Where did Jesus hangout?

Do you have all three circles in your Church?

Who do we pay most attention to?

Tip 3

DISCERN YOUR VALUES

PROCESS

discover dream design

WHAT ARE YOUR CORE VALUES?

INTENTIONAL LISTENING

Neighbourhood eavesdropping

Interview local business owners,

community leaders,

Politicians

Strangers

THE NEW CHURCH

RADICAL HOSPITALITY

COFFEE……

Speaks of hospitality….

Welcoming….

If nothing else, the coffee is good…church people aren’t that weird…

Good coffee, real mugs, a taste of Sunday!!

CONNECTING COMMUNITES

• Where do you experience hospitality BEYOND church? Who does it right?

• How is hospitality experienced in your church?

• Where have you experienced it beyond church?

SPIRITUALITY

SPIRITUALITYSPIRITUAL NURTUREEVERY MONDAY NIGHT AT HILLHURST

• Religion For Atheists: A Book Study

• A Christian Self-defence Class

• An Adult Faith: Giving Up Childish Ways

• The Naked Now: Full Bodied Spirituality

• Theological Worlds

• Tools Of The Trade

• Calling Hillhurst Home

• Epiphany, Bright Ideas: Spirituality Of Technology, Photography, And Dreams

• Gifts Of Imperfection: Brene Brown

• Magic Of Rituals

• Happiness Project

• Religion Of Ones Own

• Inside Out

• Painting The Stars – Evolutionary Theology

• Vancouver School Of Theology• Making Sense of the

Theological Buffet• Biblical Storytelling• Thrive • Desert Tradition• Feast for the Common Good• How Then Shall We Live• Tell Your Story

•Contemplation

– Fire and Grace

SPIRITUALITY

SPRING MUSICAL

REEL Theology

• Movie or Book ( Life Text or Story)

• Biblical Text ( Sacred Story)

• Lift out or against each other….

• ex: If Beale Street Could Talk, Black Panther

Spirituality

• When have you had a meaningful program that feeds or explores the soul?

• How do you see your community connecting with spirituality beyond ?

SOCIAL JUSTICE

AFFIRMING STATEMENT

We commit to be an inclusive community of

faith that follows in the Way of Jesus under the

banner “whoever you are, wherever you’re at,

join us on the journey.”

We strive to accept each other as we are and

welcome the ministry and participation of all

persons regardless of age, gender identity,

health, race, sexual orientation, differing

abilities, religious or ethnic background or

economic circumstance.

We hope that in all that we do, including our worship and

community life, God’s unconditional love is experienced. We do

this trusting that God is with us on the journey.

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Affirming Programs

AFFIRMING FOCUS

• “Something Completely Different” Meal

• Parents’ Support

• Individual support

• Rainbow Bags

• Pride and Coming Out in Faith

• Public Intentional Explicit

• Easter Lunch

Refugee Work

Refugee

• Refugee Walk…on Thanksgiving

• Raising Awareness Walk in solidarity

• Fundraising

• Advocacy

• LGBTQ Refugees

SOCIAL JUSTICE PROGRAMMING

• Right Relations• Truth & Reconciliation• Human RITES• Alex Dinner• Inn from Cold • Refugee Ministry• Everyday Outreach• Affirming Ministry• Affirm United

Everyday Outreach

• People dropping by need support

• Volunteers to talk, offer warm lunch,

• Coats / warm clothing.

• Conversation

• Recreation (air hockey and ping pong)

Social Justice

• When you look around your city, what is an issue you might connect with?

DISCERN YOUR VALUES

What REALLY matters to your community?

Are they known?

Can you repeat them?

WEEKLY REPEAT not hidden in FILE….

RISK • In 2016 we added RISK as a practice.

• We noticed we were already in our budget, in our staffing, in our engagement, in our practice with other values…helps us NOT BE stuck or fearful..(kinda like Jesus)

•Hospitality

• Spirituality

• Social Justice

•Risk

Tip 4

DON’T FIGHT THE

RESURRECTION

LET IT GO

Sometimes something has to die to make room for something new.

DO we TRUST ?

• Let things die, it is natural in our world why not church…?

• It isn’t about YOU…it is about who is NOT here.

• DO we trust God can and will work with us to bring a new way and day…? Mark Gospel first word…”repent”- change…

LET IT GO - examples

Choir gowns

Children's time

Turkey supper

SOMETHING NEW

New Board Structure

• Fiduciary work – budget, finances

• Strategic work – shorter term

• Generative – ideas and possibilities

SOMETHING NEW

Governance as Leadership

• Smaller board

• Non-representative

• From meetings to mission

• Freeing people

BUILD THE RIGHT TEAM

DON’T FIGHT THE RESURRECTION

What needs to die?

What are you clinging to that you need to let go of?

Do you practice possibility?

Tip 5

PAY FOR WHAT YOU WANT, NOT

WHAT YOU HAVE

VISION

• Do you work with leftovers …or plan for future?

• If you say you want it are you willing to pay for it?

If not stop complaining…

• Diversify staff work part time people in….

BUILD THE RIGHT TEAM

SpiritualDirector

AffirmingLead

YouthMinistry

CommunicationsLead

ChoirDirector

Minister

ArtisticDirector

FinanceAdministrator

Custodial

Worship

KidSpace

ExecutiveDirector

Volunteer &Hospitality

OfficeAdmin

SoundTeam

CongregationalCare

KidSpace

A meaningful and relevant place for kids on Sunday.

• 100+ kids on Sundays (200 registered)

• 9 Kid Space leaders

• Friday night teen nights

• Kid Space Summer Camps

• ‘Messy Church’ family nights

• Pagers for parents

• Youth Choir

Pay for What you Want

Examples of this: (non clergy)

Pay for Communications 30 hours

Pay for Contemplative Ministry 24 Hours

Pay for Executive Director F/T

Pay for Affirming Coordinator 30 hours

Pay for Hospitality Coordinator 30 hours

New Ministries

• Thrive – for people in their 20s and 30s

• Contemplative & Spiritual Arts Ministry

• Day Break, am> pm>

• Teaching, Book, Direction…

• Spirit Yoga

COMMUNICATIONS - SOCIAL MEDIA2016 – Hired a new communications lead. Moved website from internal information only to external use 2004 – minimal traffic2019 – 8,000 views a month

MEANINGFUL CONNECTION

Connection – 24/7

Hillhurst also creates community through a strong social media presence:

• Well maintained website

• 3,200 Facebook likes

• “Morning After” blog

• Live streaming services

Tip 6

PAY IT FORWARD

QUIT THE GUILT TRIP

THE NUMBERS TELL THE STORY

2004

• $120,000 Annual Budget

• 24 people on PAR

• PAR contribution: $2,400/mo

• Par per donor: $96

2019

• $956,000 Annual Budget

• 189 people on PAR

• PAR Contribution: $31,000/mo

• Finance Team – Fiduciary oversight

• Stewardship Team - annual strategic plan

• Say thank you!

• Make it personal

• Tell the Story

Tell Your Story

• Not Your Parents’ Offering Plate J. Christopher

• Tell people what ‘their’ money does.

• What happened this week…while you were gone…

• Weddings, funerals, visits, courses, pastoral care, education…. Recall…it’s not about you…

CAMPAIGNS

• Pick up the Tab

• Right Size Your Giving

• Raise the Bar on Par

• Have a Heart-to-Heart with your Heart

• iGive Link

• Your Gifts Matter

Risk?

PAY IT FORWARD

Scarcity or Abundance?

or

Stingy or Generous

No Guilt! Gratitude ONLY

Invite Generosity and Cultivate Gratitude

Post Staff Difficulty

SHOW UP

THANK YOUS MATTER…

• hand written

• Personal

• recognized “them”

• special events for key leaders

• Specific asks

PAY IT FORWARD

• Are you comfortable talking about money?

• Can you look at what money does, and share it?

• Jesus talked about money …a lot…. Why not us?

• How do you make giving fun?

FUNDRAISERS

• BLEN-DINNERS• GARAGE SALE• SPRING MUSICAL• CAKE AUCTION• P.I.E THROWING

• BLEN-DINNERS - 18k - 200 seats - 19 dinners

Tip 7

CONNECT WITH CULTURE

CULTURE – pay attention

PET BLESSING

Address Culture : Museum or Medium?

• We try to speak about / write about topics people are “talking about” at coffee shops…

• Example: 13 Reasons heard about in May in Halifax…spoke…now speaking at Olds Alberta Suicide prevention event,

• Vigils: Orlando/ Paris etc

• GSA RALLY

• Blessings: Pet/ Bike/ Backpack

CONNECT WITH CULTURE

What are people talking about down the street?

What’s in the news?

What matters most?

Is there a connection? Bible -> iPhone?

Tip 8

SAY WHO YOU ARE

SAY WHO YOU ARE

Whoever you are, wherever you’re at,

join us on the journey.

SAY WHO YOU ARE

Tea and Dainties 2:00pm

Advent 3

Christmas Services (February 1st)

SUNDAY WORSIP

SAY WHO YOU ARE

Congruency matters most in your message.

Is “outside message” the same as

“inside experience?”

SAY WHO YOU ARE

SAY WHO YOU ARE

Are you who you say you are?

What does your sign say?

What would somebody outside the Church think?

Tip 9

WORSHIP MATTERS

WORSHIP WORKS

WORSHIP MATTERS

• Relaxed, unrobed

• Small groups – weekly questions

• Digital experience

• Themes and series

• Intentional

• Cultural piece of music

• Accessible

• Moments, not message

• Experiential

• Prayers – joys and concerns and silence

WORSHIP MATTERS

• NO Bulletin now…. Saves money time and people don’t look for it these days.

• App

WORSHIP MATTERS

Testimonial for Baptism, Advent,

Reel Theology, Stewardship Campaign, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day…

Any Chance You Get!

TESTIMONIALS: Terry Rock

TESTIMONIALS: Shawn Dicey

TESTIMONIALS

KNIGHT FAMILY

AMY…

On why I choose baptism and Hillhurst…

Amy Haynes

WORSHIP MATTERS

Songs from Culture

Avoid long prayers

Meaningful Rituals

Videos Bring the Story Alive

Relevant Reflection

FISHING TIPS

1. Let Leaders Lead2. Expand Your Circles3. Discern Your Values4. Don’t Fight The Resurrection5. Pay For What You Want, Not What You Have6. Pay It Forward7. Connect With Culture8. Say Who You Are9. Worship Matters10. Final Words

FISHING TIPS

WE NEED TO ASK:

What matters most?

How do we connect to what is going on

beyond the church?

Are we living in fear or faith?

FINAL THOUGHTS

HILLHURST IS HOME

HILLHURST IS HOME