Special Congregational Meeting FAQ
Why a third pastor?
KBC leadership believes God is leading us to call another pastor. KBC had three pastors up until Doug’s retirement in 2022, and we delayed bringing on an immediate replacement as we filled other administrative roles and recovered from Covid. Calling a third pastor, therefore, restores some pastoral capacity. A third pastor will also enable us to go beyond maintaining the status quo as we discern and pursue God’s will relative to spiritual flourishing, missional activity, young adults, and cultural responsiveness. We can see that our congregation is growing, and so with our spiritual roots deepened, we want to be ready for missional flowering together.
How did KBC leadership come to this decision?
Even before Doug’s retirement, our Elders, who speak monthly with our pastoral staff, were already aware that a third pastor was a likely future decision. As we entered the economic uncertainty of Covid, with budgets tightening for everyone, the timing did not seem right. In early 2023, our Pastoral Team Leader signalled to both Elders and Governing Council (GC) that our ability to respond to congregational growth after Covid, to expand our pastoral reach, and to pursue fresh missional initiatives, would eventually require another pastor at KBC. Since then, KBC Leadership has been prayerfully discerning the right time for this move. Over the last year, both GC and Elders have engaged the question directly, continuing prayerfully to seek God’s direction. In joint conversation, KBC Leadership believes the time has come to present the question to the congregation.
What will this cost? Our longstanding experience at KBC is that if we are responsive to God’s leading, He faithfully provides, and we consistently have what we need from His hand. Prioritizing that spiritual discernment does not mean ignoring practical or financial concerns, but rather orders them as we talk together. With that, there is no question that another pastor on staff will increase our budget beyond the regular budget increases we may expect next year. As leadership has entered budget season, we can say our giving has increased from last year, our finances are keeping strongly in step with our current budget, and our congregation is growing. These are positive signs.
At our meeting, we’ll provide the most up-to-date estimates we have so the congregation can make a well-informed decision. Please remember every church budget is a “zero dollar” budget: all we have comes because the Lord provides as our congregation looks at the ministry we share in together and gives accordingly.
What are we doing at this meeting?
In step with our by-laws, when the need arises for a new pastor to join our team at KBC, the next step is for them to come to the congregation to seek an affirmation of the need for a pastoral hire. As well, GC is to present a Job Description developed in collaboration with elders and PTL to the congregation to be approved by congregational vote. At the meeting, GC (supported by Elders) will present and explain the reasons for KBC Leadership’s desire to call a third pastor of the kind described in the Job Description and answer any relevant questions so that the congregation can make informed decisions. We’ll also have an opportunity to discuss our next steps together, seeking consensus for the road map ahead.
What should I do now?
Our desire is that you spend time listening in prayer and come to the meeting on April 13 to hear more about our sense of what God is doing at KBC. When we gather this way, we do well to bring more into the room than our human experience, calculations, or expertise. With all those gifts, we want foremost to bring hearts that are aligning with what God is saying to us as a church family.
We also suggest you come with any questions so that we can discuss responses in community.
