Consistory includes our Pastors and pastoral elders. Together they provide spiritual leadership within Calvin by monitoring the spiritual pulse of the congregation, meeting with members, handling membership changes and any spiritual issues which arise. They also promote prayer, discipleship, spiritual growth and supervise the worship services, preaching and sanctity of the sacraments. Consistory normally meets the first Monday of each month.
For more information about our church consistory, or to contact our Chair of Consistory, please contact the church office at office@calvincrc.ca.
The Diaconate (Pastoral Deacons) organizes and facilitates works of Christian mercy, promotes Christian stewardship, and participates in assistance and relief work at local, national, and international levels. The Deacons normally meet the 1st Monday of each month.
For more information about our diaconate, or to contact our Diaconate Chair, please contact the church office at office@calvincrc.ca.
Pastoral Visitors
Consistory monitors the members who minister to our senior members, to ensure that they receive the spiritual and emotional care they need. Pastor Craig coordinates with the visitors.
For more information about Pastoral Visitors, please contact Pastor Craig at pastor@calvincrc.ca.
Ministry Highlights
The purpose of Consistory is to provide pastoral care for all the members and adherents of Calvin CRC. It also monitors our Pastor’s work and wellbeing.
2. How often does it meet, and where?
We meet ordinarily on the first Monday of the month at the church. (is that in the youth room, or in that “other” room George? : ) )
3. What do you do on/during a typical meeting time?
- We do our administrative business such as approving agendas and minutes of the previous meeting. We make sure all of the actions were completed from the minutes.
- We talk about new people that have started to attend and decide how we can plug them into church activities to make them feel welcome. If they are attending regularly, we place them in a care group so that the pastoral elder can keep in contact.
- We discuss the membership. Who has not been attending and encourage the elder to follow up to encourage involvement.
- For those who no longer want to be a part of the fellowship, we put them into a “Follow-up Category” until such time as we can encourage them to come back or they tell us they are no longer going to attend, and they are then placed in a “Dormant” pr “Lapsed” category.
- We welcome new members transferred from other churches and through professions of faith.
- We approve transfers of membership to other churches when people move away.
- We have an Elder’s Round Table where each of the elders and Pastors discuss visits, calls, or emails sent to connect with their care group. These discussions are strictly confidential.
- We have reports from pastors and committees to keep informed of things happening in the church and make sure that the activities are thriving.
4. How do you think this ministry fits into the vision of Calvin “to become more passionate followers of Jesus Christ, used by God to transform lives through confident outreach, wholehearted worship, enfolding fellowship and lifelong discipleship?”
It is the task of Consistory to make sure that each of these items in the vision is being met, with ongoing discussions about how to improve.
5. Do you have a story about how this ministry has impacted those who are participating in it?
COVID, and the recent Synod decision regarding human sexuality, has given our elders much work in staying connected with people, providing a listening ear to the joys and concerns of the past 2 years. They have worked tirelessly on your behalf, and some are tired and stressed, yet they continue to sacrificially give of their time and energy for the sake of the church.
6. How can we assist this ministry and pray for it?
Pray for wisdom and strength as your elders do this important work in the church. You can also prayerfully consider if you have the gifts to be an elder, as we will be looking to replace some in 2023 as terms come to an end.
1. Can you describe this ministry to us please? What is its purpose?
The Deacons are the “hands and feet” of the congregation, ministering to the material needs of those both at Calvin, and in our wider community. We seek to imitate Christ’s mercy and compassion, and encourage the congregation to use their spiritual gifts to advance justice and mercy to those in need. We oversee the offering schedule, refugee fund, missionary support, tuition assistance program and engagement with the Carlington Chaplaincy, amongst other things.
2. How often does it meet, and where?
We meet once a month, spending some time with the elders before breaking off to discuss our specific agenda.
3. What do you do on/during a typical meeting time?
Our meetings are spent:
- discussing individual benevolence files,
- discussing proper courses of action to help steward the gifts of the church well,
- while caring for those in our area.
4. How do you think this ministry fits into the vision of Calvin “to become more passionate followers of Jesus Christ, used by God to transform lives through confident outreach, wholehearted worship, enfolding fellowship and lifelong discipleship?”
We work on confident outreach and enfolding fellowship by speaking to individuals in our community and our congregation, working to make sure that the gifts of the church are used to ensure others feel loved and looked after. We respond to individual benevolence requests, focused on a spirit of generosity to amplify the message of the Gospel to others through acts of charity and service. And we urge the congregation to use their spiritual gifts, living in discipleship and faithful service to God’s mission for the church.
5. Do you have a story about how this ministry has impacted those who are participating in it?
While most of our files are confidential, we have, every year, helped to uplift families who want to send their kids to Christian school. We’ve resettled refugees, helped individuals with counselling support, rental assistance, and connected them with resources to help them get ahead.
6. How can we assist this ministry and pray for it?
We need more congregation members to serve as deacons. We are currently operating at a deficit of deacons, putting more pressure on the deacons that remain. Prayer for energy and for those nominated to accept the call would be appreciated. Please also tell us if you know of someone who may be in a position to serve the congregation in this way.
In addition to the visiting that’s done by elders & deacons, Calvin also has a Pastoral Visitors Ministry
